El Fim

My time in Brazil has come to an end. I have less than 8 hours left and felt that I couldn't spend it in bed... so here I am at 1:45 typing another post....

This week has flown by. Actually, this whole experience has flown by! I cannot believe that tomorrow I will be flying back to the States... It won't hit me until I am on the plane I suppose. I have yet to cry but I know the tears will come tomorrow.

There are so many things that I am going to miss:

Tastes:

• fresh fruit (mainly pineapple and mangos)
• rice, beans and farafa (yes, for real)
• Jeanne's dinners
• Karin's desserts
• Judy's popcorn in the teacher's room

Feelings:

• the hot Brazilian sun beating down on me

Smells: mmm... can't say that there are any....

Sounds:

• the rooster that so faithfully wakes me up at 4:00, and 4:15, and 4:30, and 5:00, and...
• Dr. Underwoods jokes
• Judy's songs
• the laughter of my first and second graders
• Stacy saying "I love you, Miss Herbst"

Sights:

• watching the sunrise while eating breakfast
• people playing soccer at every chance
• 12 precious students working hard or listening to my every word

Others (that I didn't feel fit under any category):

• working with such a patient, flexible and gracious cooperating teacher
• Andres and his inability to stay in his chair
• Laura and her bouquets of "fresh flowers" aka grass
• Maria and her beautiful pictures
• Lucas and his precious smile without his two front teeth
• Ruth and her growing knowledge of English
• Stacy and her hugs
• Jeffrey and his daily improvement that is so exciting to watch
• Hannah and her helpfulness
• Mateus and his long answers
• Beatriz and her sweet spirit
• Arthur and his hilarious comments and love for reading the Bible
• Pedro and his inquisitive mind

The students threw me a "surprise party" today, except that yesterday they told me, "Miss Herbst, we have a surprise for you but you won't know until tomorrow." I love kids! They each gave me a picture and note that they had written. I had to ask a few of them to read their notes, because I couldn't understand their invented spelling. They were so sweet! I was close to tears, but laughing at the same time, which kept the tears away. I wonder if this is how it will feel at the end of every year. You get so attached to students and are sad to see them go.

All this week, the students were asking me,
"Miss Herbst, but why do you have to go to the United States?"

"When are you coming back?"

"When you come back, will you teach 3rd and 4th grade?"

"When will you know if you can come back?"

"Do you have MSN? Do you have a camera? YAY! Then we can talk to each other!"

And precious Stacy: "Miss Herbst, can I go with you to the United States?"

Me: "Can you fit in my bag?"

Stacy: "I'm small. I can fit in your bag!"

Me: "I'm sorry Stacy - I already talked to my noivo [fiance] and he said I couldn't bring any kids back."

Stacy: "Oh."

Me: "But come and visit me!"

If kids could go wherever they wanted whenever they chose, I think I would have 10 kids coming to my house tomorrow. It really made me feel pretty good to know that I was loved! (I think Stacy told me 10 times this morning in chapel.... :)

Right before we had our cake, Miss Storms asked someone to pray. Pedro, who has had a hard time getting along with me, volunteered. I was pretty excited. He said, "Dear God, Thank you for Miss Herbst and all that she learned us..."

I failed!! Ha - I don't think I heard anything else after that because I was trying not to laugh. It was so precious.

Then I had to stop and ask myself about my reason for being there:

Did they see Christ through me?

Will they remember the life-lessons learned and not just those in math and science?

Were able to learn from my example?

"And they praised God because of me." Galatians 1:24 *Are they praising God because of me? Did I point them closer to Him?* I hope so!

Yes, part of my heart wil be here in Brazil. How cool would it be for my students to come and visit me someday? I would love to visit them again!

I have learned so much through this experience, but that post will have to wait until another time. Yes, D, I can sleep when I'm dead, but I can't type when I'm asleep....

Sorry for no pictures tonight - it is too late to load them all. Hopefully I can show you some in person very soon!

I am looking forward to seeing you soon, telling you more about my amazing experience and hearing what you have been up to!

Thank you all SO VERY MUCH for your continued prayers during my time in Brazil. I truly appreciate them! I would appreciate your prayers tomorrow as I travel back to Columbus.

And for the last time from Brazilian soil....

Serving HIM in BRAZIL,

Brittany *Miss Herbst*

Wait, WHAT?!

I had to - I just did.... But the title does actually fit...

Wait, What?! You have moved into your third room after living there for three months?! Yes.

Wait, What?! the students ask, "What do you mean you aren't staying until Christmas?!"

Wait, What?! You went to jail?! Yes, but I will explain...

Wait, What?! You only have one week left? Yes, it's true. Sad, but true. This is what I have been up to during my final days here.
Wait, What?! The temperature is HOW cold in Ohio?

I had a great weekend! It began with "Fun Night" - a night full of games for all the students. The high schoolers each plan a game and have a booth set up in or around the gym. The middle school and elementary students then buy tickets in order to play games. The money earned is used for the high school retreat. It reminded me of "Fun Day" that WC put on years ago. I remember the most popular stand being the Goldfish Game.... anyways...

The most popular "game" of the night (the one the students were talking about the whole week leading up to "Fun Night" and the one that is the most popular every year...) was the Jail. After paying 2 tickets, you can have someone put in "jail" for 2 minutes. If you pay 10 tickets, they will be put in for 10 minutes, etc., etc.... One of my students, Pedro, told me Friday morning that he was going to put me in jail at Fun Night. He seemed very excited about it. I wasn't exactly sure what to expect. It didn't take me long to find out.

After not even being there for 15 minutes, a high school boy who was one of the "guards" grabbed my arm and escorted me to the "jail". (Wait, WHAT?!) It was a tiny little room (I have no idea what it is used for) that actually has bars on the windows. This actually was actually not surprising, for most of the windows here have bars over them. I enjoyed having Caleb keep me company as my cell mate for the few moments I was there. It was actually over rather quickly - I didn't even have time to enjoy it. :) I was informed that Hannah and her father had so thoughtfully paid for my time in prison.


I went through a maze in the dark with Stacy, chatted with students and parents, cheered students on as they played games, and enjoyed some snacks at the snack bar. Before long, a highschool teacher came up to me and asked what my last name was. When I replied "Herbst" she laughed and said "I thought so". Immediately, a guard came up and once again escorted me to the "jail". They told me that another first grader put me in jail. While sitting at the window of the jail, awaiting my time to expire, Pedro spotted me. He laughed and said, "Miss Herbst! How did you get in there?!" I told him that Andres had paid two tickets to put me in. He excitedly ran off.... When I got out of jail, I attempted to walk away quickly, knowing that Pedro would have paid guards to come after me once again.... Well, I used to think I was a fast walker.... but the Pedro caught up with me before I was far enough away... He grabbed my arm and triumphantly said, "YES! Miss Herbst, you're going to jail!" He proudly escorted me back to the jail once again. While sitting there, Pedro told me through the bars, "See, Miss Herbst? I did not lie when I told you this morning!" Too much, too much....

The jail was such a hit that Laura, one of my first graders, asked her friends to put her in. When no one volunteered, she paid to have herself put in! She didn't want to feel left out. haha! I love kids! The 5th and 6th grade girls were complaining that the jailers (highschool boys) were not doing a good job (to chase those who were supposed to be put in jail). The reality is.... and I'm sure you can all guess... that they somewhat enjoyed being chased by boys. Ha! Oh, the good ol' days... :) I will say, though, that I am done with being chased. I am more than content with the one whom I have allowed to finally capture my heart.

On Sunday, I went with my Brazilian friends, Kamila and Eliseo, to the Bosque. This a large square in the middle of the city stands as the remainder of the natural rainforest. This is a great place to admire God's creativity in creation! There are amazing plants to see as well as a few rainforest animals. We then to to the "Hippie Fair" so I could enjoy a little more "Brazilian culture". :) We ate lunch there and I had manissoba, a very cultural dish that I would not have chosen if only deciding by appearance. However, it was rather tasty. This green sauce (made out of some kind of leaves that are cooked for 7 days straight) is served over rice. I liked it better when accompanied by farofa - a yellow, sawdust-looking powder that Brazilians put on everything and I have learned to do the same (and actually enjoy it too :)

Random comment: I love when Brazilians ask, "What is insert any word in English?" Ha!

I then attended my final English service. I was amazed at how many people came up to say goodbye! This was one of my favorite things here and I will miss participating in this ministry a lot! Thanks, Kamila and Eliseo, once again for a WONDERFUL day, for your thoughtfulness and friendship!

I am enjoying my final week here and attempting to finish strong!

Thanks for your continued prayers as I continue to minister these last few days! I am looking forward to seeing you soon!

Serving HIM in Brazil,
*Brittany

The B-I-B-L-E

A few weeks ago, there was a special Bible dedication in one of the interior villages of Brazil. One of our teachers went and said it was quite the experience. (I was not given the option to go, otherwise I would have jumped on it!)

The tribe receiving Bibles has had the New Testament but just received a complete Bible - New and Old - on the day of the ceremony. Imagine never having a complete Bible in your own language! Hearing about this event was a good reminder that I can often take the Word of God for granted. Do I truly appreciate having a Bible in English? Am I truly excited to read it everyday? I have two Bibles of my own that I often take for granted, and these people were CELEBRATING over receiving a complete Bible in their own language! Wow! What a good reminder and challenge!

During my time here, I have had the privilege of coming in contact with Bible translators - whoa. I have heard of people who work on translating Bibles in other countries, but for some reason I thought that this happened long ago - not so much today. Well, I had the privilege of meeting people who have dedicated their lives to translating the Bible so that others may read the Good News. Wow! What an awesome calling!

What is God calling me to do? I would LOVE to know! Being here has confirmed some things while making other things even more unclear. You would think that after being here for 3 months, I would know why God has brought me here. While I am not exactly sure, there are many things that I have learned along the way. My prayer is that I do not allow these lessons to be forgotten when I return home, but that I am able to keep them always on my mind. It may be a few more weeks until I know for sure why God brought me here. It could also be 25 years. Then again, I may never truly understand until I meet Him face to face. Whatever the reason, I am glad to know that I am being used by Him where I am!

Thanks for your continued prayers!

Serving HIM in Brazil,
Brittany

"I love technology..."

Well, Kip loved it... but I'm not so sure... After being without internet for nearly two weeks, I have become less dependent on it. (and I was a bit dependent...) Let's just say that when I was a Cedarville, the first thing I did in the morning after getting out of bed was check my e-mail... and the last thing I did before going to bed was... yep, you guessed it... check my e-mail... So God has been teaching me that HE is all I need! :)


As you can imagine, LOTS of things have happened since the last post... I will do my best to fill you in on the important parts....



1. We went on a field trip to Mangal das Gracas. This had a butterfly exhibit, an aviary, and beautiful flowers. Beacause we had recently studied butterflies, this fit in well. I had been there once before with AUNT KATHY and enjoyed it. However, I wasn't sure if it was "kid friendly". The students ended up enjoying it a lot. I don't know how much they listened to the guide, but they had fun. Unfortunately, however, the highlight of their day may have been eating lunch at McDonald's.... :)

2. I got my nails done! Ha! I'm sure you're thinking, "Wow, thanks for sharing..." It was a little something special I did after a stressful day of teaching. This is the exciting part: it was only 17 reals! That means it was only about $9-$10! I got a manicure AND pedicure... you couldn't do either for $10 in the States! What a treat! :)

3. Field Day was another highlight. This is an annual event in which all of the students, K-12, are split into two teams for various competitions. Each team, led by two seniors, comes up with a team name, creates a cheer, and makes a flag. They then compete in various races and activities. A track is drawn around the soccer field for running events. All of the students participate in hurdles, a dash of some length (50, 100, or 200 m) and at least one relay. They then compete against their age group in a frisbee toss, long jump, jump rope, and "shot put" (with tennis balls for young students). The high schoolers also do a basketball shoot-out, golf, and javelin. (the picture at the left shows my first and second grade girls ready for the 50 meter dash! Laura even has her "game face" on :)

It is quite the day! Parents are encouraged to come and cheer on their students. After each event, the students receive a colored ribbon depending on how they finish. Here, the first and second grade boys show off their ribbons (which they pin on after each event :)

Before the high school girls' 100 m dash, I noticed a father giving his daughter some last minute tips. It took me back to high school when my dad would give me last minute tips before my races! I actually had to fight back some tears... I MISS YOU, DAD!

It was a fun day in the sun!

4. Right when the day was wrapping up, another teacher and I left for the BEACH. At the end of the quarter, they have two days off for an extended weekend. We took advantage of the opportunity! On my way out of the school property, I had at least 6 kids come up and frantically ask, "Miss Herbst! Miss Herbst! Are you going back to the UNITED STATES?!!" It was so precious! I guess the bag that I was pulling made them fear of my departure... After I reassured them that I would be back on Monday, they allowed me to go. Whew! :)

After a long bus trip (which was quite interesting in itself...) we arrived at our hotel which was located RIGHT ON THE BEACH! We could see it from our window! SWEET! The interesting thing about the beach in Brazil is that people drive their cars right onto the sand. As this picture attempts to show, people park their cars and sit at tables. No one sits on a towel - they either stand by their cars or swim in the ocean. Quite a sight. Corinne and I felt slightly awkward being the only ones on towels... and we even felt a bit in danger of being run over by a speeding car... quite the experience.

On a walk down the beach one afternoon, we found some sand dunes. While climbing up them, I couldn't help but think of the last time I had been on some dunes... probably the best day of my life up to this point! :) (for those of you who are completely confused, Dan proposed on sand dunes in Michigan! :)

Life on the equator is nice, let me tell you. I actaully even spent time in the shade! Imagine that! I returned back to school looking a little more Brazilian. Well, my skin that is.... my hair was even more blond than before... :) Thanks to the ladies at ProVest for providing the reading material: a recent issue of The Knot Ohio! :) I truly enjoyed it. :) (and Mom, I'm ready to get back to the planning!)

I will be teaching the remainder of this week and observing all next week. It is so hard to believe my time is coming to a close!

Thanks for your continued prayers! Right now, you can specifically pray that I stay focused and finish strong!

Serving HIM in the Brazilian Sun,

Brittany