The Amazons

Well, we’re back from the ends of the earth. At least physically, but my heart and mind often find themselves wondering back to the breathtaking amazons.

Our team spent a total of four weeks in communities and almost four weeks in the city. Some of the time we were on the Brazil side (where they speak Portuguese) and other times in Colombia. In the city we did a lot of teaching in the churches and counseling sessions. In the communities it takes a bit more creativity to do counseling because it’s not really in their culture to open up that much or to tell strangers about their problems. We did a lot of work with youth, sometimes teaching, sometimes playing, sometimes doing small group style conversations. It was an amazing time!

But more than anything, us four girls grew personally. We all had our own giants to face. For example, Lorena is scared of preaching or public speaking, but she did it three times on outreach. Stephanie’s hardest thing to learn was that she herself is trustworthy and has authority to counsel and teach. My growth was discovering lies that I’ve believed for years and lead me to do things I know aren’t logical. We are different women now, more mature and yet more silly (you would be too if you spent two months hanging out with this group of girls!), with more integrity, and clearer plans for our futures.

I always tend to feel most connected to places where I have grown a lot, and the Amazons is no different. I miss the heat and the sunrise over the river. But I also miss the open style the people have of sitting around and talking, wanting to honor us with dinner invitations and gifts. I miss the youth who are so hungry to learn more but don’t find discipleship in the church. It is a beautiful, rich, and needy place. One day I hope to spend more time in the communities.