One Month Already?

hey guys!
well, its officially been over a month now and I can say that it has prolly been the quickest, the longest, the most challenging, and the most eye-opening month of my life! and i still have 5 more to go! (only 3 more of school though! yay!)
This week has stayed pretty busy. Bill left on sunday for his job, we are getting a new tile floor in the Grupo CEO building, i played basketball for an hour with the pre-teens on friday night, and i had a sleepover at Gessica's house (the one who had the party i danced in) and Leninha was there too. I stayed from friday to 5 on saturday and we had a really good time. i hadnt been forced to speak that much portuguese before! it was a little bit frustrating but it was good for me though. = ) I really have picked up a lot of the language in just this short month and i owe it all to the One who created languages in the first place!
Tomorrow our mid-quarter tests start at school so that means on top of regular homework, we have a test every day. It will be challenging but the school has said that as long as i try my hardest and show an interest in my classes, the tests will not weigh as heavily on my grade. What they really want to see is me interacting with the other students so thats what im gonna try and do! I've started playing 3 on 3 basketball with two of the guys in my class during our break time. Its a lot of fun even though im pretty sure im the only one who actually knows the rules!
I want to thank everyone again for all of the encouragement you give me through facebook messages, comments, and prayers! God really uses them to lift my Spirit! please pray for my sanity this week as i deal with tests and the little day-to-day surprises. I'll write again soon!
Until Next Time,
Jo

Well, hi!

Goodness, i havent blogged in a while, have i? We just got back from a wonderful vacation to the beach for Carnaval! it was beautiful! God really never ceases to amaze me with His creation! It was nice to have a break from school too! my classes are still pretty tough but getting easier. im slowly picking up more of the language and now i have a better understanding of how school is run down here which makes me more comfortable.
This morning we had a baptism and 10 people testified to their faith in Jesus Christ! Stuff like that is just a blessing to wittness, isnt it? Other than that, things in the community have been normal. Keep praying for the passion in the hearts of the people of the church, ESPECIALLY the teens! They are the future leaders of this community and it is so obvious how the younger kids want to look up to them and imitate them! They have soo much potential to serve!
Bill is getting ready to leave tomorrow for another 28 days at his job. Please pray for safety for him while he is away and strenght for Erika and the rest of the family.
Well, i didnt really write much for not blogging in so long, but the main thing is that, even though i still miss home a ton, im so happy to be here. Its great to wake up every morning and be so certain that you are in the will of your Father! And its that kind of peace and joy that i want to share to everyone reading this and everyone i come into contact with here!
I'll try to update you more frequently, but thats all for now!
Until Next Time,
Jordan

Into Another Week

well, i can tell you for sure that even though i get to have school in a nice, sunny, warm place, i still do not enjoy it one bit. lol the classes are hard enough in enlish so this portuguese thing is just the icing on the cake that i could do without eating. i will say my portuguese is getting better though and i can understand more when i listen to people speak. being taught thing is another story though! please keep praying for my understanding, especially of the math and chemistry!
We had a good service at grupo CEO last night! bill gave a solid message and as we sang at the end he asked for anyone who needed restoration in their life, whether it be through salvation, forgiveness, repentance, or anything like that, to come to the front as a testimony to the change they wanted to make and i praise God in saying that at least 3 women from the community did so! also, one of the teens went up to Bill afterwards and said he wanted to go up, but was embarrased because no other teen did. i hope throught the time i am here i can see God transform this community into a body of believers who is supportive of one another in things like that, and no one will feel ashamed.. apathy is also a problem here, especially with the teens! pray that God lights a fire in their hearts and can not be extinguished and that they can experience the joy that only comes with being in harmony with His will!
i'll keep you updated on the work He is doing! until then, i praise Him for what He has already done!
Until Next Time,
Jordan