God´s Love

I prepared prayer one day this week and it was all about the beautiful, flawless love God has for us, where we see it daily and how we can live out that love to others. Looking back on this past week, I experienced God´s love in some of the most amazing ways. I think I could say that last Sunday I took part in one of the most awesome thing I have ever experienced! Katie and I went to Sao Geraldo (St. Gerald) a rehab center for men with Sister Rose and Sister Cecilia. We originally agreed because it would be our Sunday mass and we heard an American priest was there, but it ended up being so much more. I know I will not be able to give it justice with my words but we were there to celebrate the graduation of 4 men from the 9 month program. Mass took place in a small chapel on the center´s beautiful grounds surrounded by trees, flowers and all kinds of nature. It was the first time I was able to understand an entire homily as the American priest had a vocabulary very similar to mine :) Then after Mass, the 4 men came forward, the director said a few words, they were given crosses, rosaries and Bibles. Then they were each given a chance to speak a few words, each giving thanks to God first and foremost. When there eyes started welling up with tears, mine were right there too! THEN, the family members were able to speak.. one sister said a few things, struggling to hold back tears. Then after everyone clapped she stood back up and asked permission to hug her brother. Their embrace had me on the brink of losing it. THEN, all the men that are currently program joined them on the altar to sing a song about the miracles God is working in their lives. Some were holding their small children, others were holding back tears and I just kept marveling at the wonderful witness of God´s love I was experiencing. Katie and I both sat there in awe and felt so humbled to be a part of something so special to these four men and their families. Thinking about it again makes me smile and brings tears to my eyes as it really touched my heart. That night I was supposed to skype with my family but they had a storm and no access to internet so I called and talked to a few people, but I don´t think I was able to fully get across my excitement from what I had experienced earier in the day! We went to the program Monday and made cards for the Americans that are arriving Wednesday but then we left early Tuesday for Sao Paulo, a large city in Brazil about 10 hours away. Sister Rose drove part way and we stopped in a city with a replica of the famous Jesus statue in Rio.. it was smaller but it stood way up on a hill in the town. It was beautiful to look down at the city and I felt a sense of peace thinking of Jesus with his arms opened up, looking down into the town. Once in Sao Paulo we stayed with some other Holy Cross nuns in the heart of the city. Riding the metro in Sao Paulo is something I can check off my list but not something I want to do again, it was insane with people fighting, pushing and I even caught my backpack on the pants of some older man.. oops! But we got Danny, a friend from Indianapolis at the airport Wednesday and spent the day visiting the cathedral and walking around the main center of the city for the remainder of the day until catching up bus back late that night. We were warned many times about the dangers of the city but thank God we were never hasseled or felt threatened! We came back to PETI Thursday ready for Danny to get his first taste of Project Discovery only to discover the program had been cancelled the rest of the week, only a few kids were there for capoeria. So we came back early and had a chance to rest a litle bit before going to Mass where they have Eucharistic exposure.. I can´t think of the proper name for it but it was a normal Mass and after everyone gathered at the front to touch the blessed sacrament.. I went last week and this is the Mass that my host family normally goes to. It is beautiful music and I love incorporating an extra Mass in my weekly schedule. Yesterday we went to Imbau and did a special English lesson with our 10 students where we worked in stations striving to prepare them for a test most of them took today. It was a retake because only a few passed the first time. We gave them a mock test at the end and it seemed that they were kind of getting it but today I stayed in the room while they took the tests and unfortunately I think several students will be taking it again. It is just a testament to the difficulty of learning another language and the dedication and hard work it takes to progress. I was so lucky to talk with Beccas TWICE yesterday for her birthday, it sounded like she had a great day and I loved being able to catch up a little with her. I have made a new friend on the bus from Imbau to Telemaco Borba. He is 12 years old and reminds me of Evan every time we talk. He is such a sweetheart and I have really enjoyed getting to know him. More plans for the group are coming together as their arrival date quickly approaches. I am now headed to Mass as tomorrow we will be traveling with our English students to the town of Ponta Grossa!! Pray for safe travels. Happy late 4th of July as well! I can absolutely feel the affects of all the prayers from everyone back home so thank you. May we all strive to search out ways to spread God´s love is small ways this week!