Brazil

October 11-18 2008

In Brazil the main thing we did was hike up to see the waterfalls. Words cannot even begin to describe the wonder and the incredible Awesomeness that was created. I will let the pictures speak for themselves. The words I kept saying throughout the trip were the lyrics to How Great thou Art and Majesty. Those were really the only words I could think of to even begin to divulge the incredible blessing I felt being in such a wondrous place. I have been to Niagara Falls and the Iguazu makes it look like a High-school talent show in comparison. One of the most amazing things we got to do around the falls was go on a moonlight walk to the "Devils Throat" The largest fall in the entire park. All the girls minus Jade and I had decided to wear their cute little dresses and were consequently drenched. It was a very funny night. We also went on a boat beneath the falls and got soaked. That was probably one of my more memorable experiences

Majesty, worship his majesty;
Unto Jesus be all glory, honor, and praise.
Majesty, kingdom authority,
Flow from his throne unto his own, his anthem raise.
So exalt, lift up on high the name of Jesus.
Magnify, come glorify Christ Jesus, the King.
Majesty, worship his majesty,
Jesus who died, now glorified, King of all kings.

Some other highlights from the trip were our visit to a Guaraní village. The children sang a song for us and were able to see the way of life that they had persevered. We also went to a Samba show which was hilarious primarily because the Walkers freaked out at the "Samba" dancing which was done by girls whose only bare skin was their midsection. A really cool thing about Brazil that I was surprised about was the African influence. The traditional food was black beans and rice and served a dish similar to chitlins. The food was actually somewhat nostalgic and reminded me of soul food. The dancing was familiar as well. Previous to this I never made the connection between the famed Brazilian dance the Samba and the infamous American book "The Little Sambo". Women are also thicker and like to show more skin. I could have worn a bikini and would not have stood out as being weird.

We also went to Paraguay to Ciudad Del Este which is where the vast majority of revenue comes from and got some shopping done. I bought some sunglasses for $2 that I then broke before we left the country I guess you get what you pay for.

On the way back we went to a mission where the Guarani were protected by the Jesuits. Yet in the end they were all destroyed and the majority of its inhabitants were killed or dispersed back into the Jungle or the city. We went to visit one of the smallest yet most intact mission located in Argentina near the Paraguayan and Brazilian border

During this trip I can truly say a saw God. I question how one can doubt his existence when confronted with astronomical beauty that to me would leave one speechless. The fountain life bursting forth from the earth provided strength for so many creatures and humans. The mist from waves gives life miles away. There are animals and plants that can only grow in that in that environment they make up an ecosystem that enabled the indigenous peoples to survive in those areas for hundreds of years. Everywhere you looked there were thousands of butterflies landing on you without fear. Every-time I saw one I remembered my rebirth in Christ Jesus. How he is God of details in the smallest most fragile creature. He is a God of Power his Potency can be viewed in the thunderous echoes from the water crashing of the precipice. His wisdom in the master plan of the ecosystem that connects and protects, there are small birds that look like swallows that make their nest inside the waterfall. They make their nests near the thunderous falls so that the vultures can't attack their young. It's mind boggling to see these tiny little birds swimming so near such a powerful force. His mercy and Grace is exemplified by his acceptance of me, his willingness to transform me in his image. I am convinced he made nature for human beings, not just for our survival but to show his Love. He spoke to me through his creation and allowed me to see a glimpse of who he truly is.

O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder,
Consider all the worlds Thy Hands have made;
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed.

When through the woods, and forest glades I wander,
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees.
When I look down, from lofty mountain grandeur
and see the brook, and feel the gentle breeze.

And when I think, that God, His Son not sparing;
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in;
That on the Cross, my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin.

Then sings my soul, My Savior God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, how great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Savior God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou a