From Justin

Justin's Rio do Sol Journal

What's up American family! It's your buddy Justin Hullman here. For those of you who don't know me, I'm a 19 year old soon-to-be freshman at Northwestern College. For those of you who do know me, much love to you guys. Family and friends have been a key topic within our conversations with the new people that we meet here. How neat is that? Your guys' names have traveled all the way to Brazil :)

As for these past four days in Rio do Sol, two words sum it all up: flippin' awesome.

We have visited three schools, eaten some bomb food, participated in an English/Portuguese church service at CELIVRIS (Pastor Johny's church), and have ridden some horses. The relationships being built within it all have been a tremendous blessing. Going to the schools and talking with the students has been bitter sweet. Having conversations and playing countless hours of soccer with them makes for an amazing time that leads to a difficult goodbye.

Personally, God has used the beautiful game of soccer as a way of ministry for me here. It's a very humbling experience to say the least :) Being a "gringo" who can somewhat hang with some Brazilian studs really attracts a lot of the kids. Sharing our mutual love for soccer has set up opportunities to get to know them on a personal level and to share with them the relationship that I have with Jesus. Whether it be through my actions of love throughout each match or by explaining what the "2 Corinthians 5:14-15" on my bracelet means, it's been a very relatable and connecting experience!

Along with that, our team is one big family. To quote the movie Lilo & Stitch, "Ohana means family. Family means nobody gets left behind." Man let me tell ya, that's what this family is all about. It is such a blessing to walk alongside these selfless, love-driven brothers and sisters in Christ. Each member of our family contributes in such a unique way. We're only four days in and every single person has faced their weaknesses and expressed their strengths. We have a super cool balance of people who run late to every single event possible and people who enjoy following the schedule. We have athletes and musicians. We have large-crowd speakers and one-on-one initiators. Wow our God is creative! Watching my best friends use their gifts for the Kingdom is so awesome. I could write pages about each team member and how much of an impact they're making on my heart and everyone they encounter. It's been such a blast growing with everyone and serving the Lord together.

Pastor Johny and our Brazilian brothers and sisters are also an amazing blessing within this journey. Each one of them also deserves a novel written about them :) Their inviting hospitality and warm-hearted personalities make for such great relationships. They serve, love, and trust in God's provision through it all. A lot of joy is found in going through life with them.

Praising God for His infinite love and grace that He poured out on the Cross and for blessing us with the opportunity to grow in Him daily. Beyond grateful for our family here in Rio do Sol and the relationships we have back home. Prayers for open hearts at the schools, efficient energy (for the team, Pastor Johny & his wife Marcilia, and for all of our Brazilian friends), and consistent trust in God's plan would be big time appreciated.

I love you guys and am stoked for what God has in store for the rest of this journey!

As they say in Portuguese, "tchau" :)

Justin Hullman