Brasil - Final Thoughts...

In general, I had a wonderful time in Brasil. I made many new friends during my time in Brasil, some I will definately keep in contact with and others, well, they have already stopped talking to me, even before I left. Their loss!!!
Anyway, I think I can summarise my time in Brasil into one bible passage...

Ephesians 4:17-32
Living as Children of Light

17 With the Lord’s authority I say this: Live no longer as the Gentiles do, for they are hopelessly confused. 18 Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against him. 19 They have no sense of shame. They live for lustful pleasure and eagerly practice every kind of impurity.
20 But that isn’t what you learned about Christ. 21 Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, 22 throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. 23 Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. 24 Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.
25 So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body. 26 And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 for anger gives a foothold to the devil.
28 If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need. 29 Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.
30 And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.
31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. 32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

This passage reminds me of people that I have met, spent time with, spoken too and in some cases still talk too. People make up the country and its culture and with Brasil being the biggest Catholic country in the world, many do not live a life of Christ, even some Christians live an ungodly life. We must be Salt and Light, if we are not how can we expect to win more to Christ. I too was a little angry before I left for South America and after my experiences and conversations with some of my new friends, thanks Kaka, Lore and Nashi in Campinas and special thanks to my friends in Brasilia, espically Mylana, I felt a lot more at peace with myself. I think that as I struggled with the language barrier and as I had loads of time to myself, I read my bible a lot and I mean a lot, which helped me understand God/Jesus/The Holy Spirit (The Trinity) a little more and what I should be doing as a follower of him.

I had many fun times in Brasil, Alex and Karen's wedding was just fantastic and seeing it all come together in the end was just such a relief. (more so for Karen...) Meeting all of Karen's extended family and getting to know them, hoping that they will come to Australia so they can experience life in my little corner of the world... maybe then they may understand this gringo a little better. Travelling with Andrea to Ilha Grande was just so special... I think we watched 7 of the greatest sunsets ever. Going to Foz do Iguacu was such an experience, seeing God's creation in its awesome splender. Travelling by boat along the amazing Amazon River, seeing all its vast waters and thick forests, listerning to Aqua in Portuguese... and running away from my "girlfriend". Spending time with Zilmar and his family in Sao Luis and the morning we went riding on the motorbikes. Sorry Zilmar, I know you love your Buffaloes, but I so did enjoy the ride on the motorbikes. All that said, I must make a special mention of all my friends in Brasilia. You are a wonderful group of people and I miss you all so much. Just thinking of you brings tears to my eyes. I came to you a stranger needing refuge from the storm of my life and you provided it for me, you gave me back my joy and love of life. You all will always have a very special place in my heart. You were to me what the 'Fortress of Solitude' is to Superman.
Eu tenho muito saudades pra voces. Muito Obrigado!!! One day I will return!

Now at the end of about 6 months of time in Brasil, a chapter of Leigh's life ends and another begins... the end of 2007 is approching fast and I am off to Chile. Thinking of what has happened here, what adventures await me in Chile. Will they be all good, all bad or as usual a combination of the two. Time will tell.
Signing off from Brasil for 2007.