A Brasillian Christmas

Well, my first Christmas away from home... and only a few tear were shed! Im still in awe of the wonders God can do. I never thought he could send a totaly emotionally unstable girl, half way around the world from all she knows, and only have he shed a few tear on one of the most inportant days without her family. GOD IS GOOD!

We went out to the camp on December 23. We spent ALL christmas eve in the kitchen. I finally know whats its like to be a housewife! We made over 500 cookies for the 38 poeple we hosted for Christams. We woke up on Christmas morning (Not under the christmas tree, but it was ok) had breakfast, then read the Charistmas story. Since I have grown up in a Christian home, I have heard the story many times. But I asked God this year, to reveal soemthing from the Christams story that I have never really thought about or realized. To me, chritmas was all about spending time with family (other then the birth of our saviour). Something I look forward to every year. But this year God took me away from all that. He took me away from all I knew and loved. God wanted to strip me clean of the sterotype I had put on Christmas. Christmas is not about being jolly with our family on Christams, Christmas is the birth of our redeemer. The man who hung on that cross, so that I would be able to live. Christams is God sending his ONLY son, from a beautiful perfect place, to an ugly, unclean place where sin blazes. I need to see this, and God knew that. I don't know if I can ever go through another Christmas without feeling the true understanding God wanted me to see. Praise be to God.

So, Christmas was great if you were wondering! On boxing day, we had a great relaxing time. Just swinging in the hammics, and loving Gods creation.
Yesterday, I had to get out of the kitchen, so I out on my gum boots, wrangler jeans, mens gloves, and my john deere hat and headed down to the swamp with the men. I shoveled dirst, hulled logs, sank in some mud, and even hucked a loogie once or twice!! It was a great day, it was nice to work in the rainforest and really help out. I spotted a trantula, but held my girlish scream! The boys said they were inpressed and proud of me... Im know my dad would have been too!

Well, we leave for our mission trip on Friday for a month. We will probably not have internet access for that month, so I will update you when I get back.

Please keep me in your paryer as I throw my seld into the Brasillian culture with 70 other Brasillian!

Thank you for you love, support and prayers. I appreciate them so very much!

Much Much love
Corryn

Merry Christmas

Well, I have to make this one short as we have portuguese lessons this morning, then were off to the camp to get ready for the 30 people we will be having over for Christmas.
It will be fun to be around all these people, and share Christmas with them.
When I return from camp, I will tell you all about Christmas in Brasil.

Thank you for all the love, prayers and support.

I hope that you all have a very Merry Christmas.

Much much love
Corryn

Learning the ways!

I can’t believe that a week has already gone by since arriving in Brasil. And boy has it been eventful! So much has happened in such a short amount of time. It feels like I have been here for weeks already and I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or not.
Life in Brasil is much different then Canada, but it seems like culture shock has not really even set in yet or even really started.
We have been spending time at both the camp and the house in the city. The camp is about 45 min away from the house. We go back and forth quite a bit.
The camp is not set up yet. Were going to be helping out by doing some construction, bush waking and such. On our first day at the camp I saw a rattle snake (the first the missionaries have seen in all their 10 years in Brasil) the second day consisted of de ticking the dog, not going to lie, that was a bit nasty. We have had many adventures there and will have MANY more.
The city is great, a lot hotter then the camp though. We went into downtown Sao Paulo on Monday. The public transit was… well you could call it cattle packed! But, the city is beautiful. We went into one cathedral and it was breath taking. We will be doing more sight seeing in the future.
Christmas is coming up soon, were going to be cutting down a tree for the camp house, and have a fake tree for the city. Were going to decorate the city one tonight, listen to Christmas much, bake cookies and watch movies. Christmas will be bitter sweet, but it is exciting to see Christmas celebrated in another part of the world.
We have started Portuguese lessons. It’s a hard language to lean, believe it or not it the 5th hardest language because it’s the closest to the original Latin. Every time the phone rings, I say a prayer and hope that when I pick it up the fist words I hear are “Hello, how are you...” instead of “Oi …” Its so confusing and difficult, but all fun at the same time.
Were going to be going on a mission’s trip to south Brasil for the month of January. We will be going with other youth in Brasil, about 70 others. I’m really looking forward to meeting new people, and diving into the Brazilian culture.

As I learn all about Brasil, I thought that I would let you know of some interesting facts about Brasil!

-After midnight, cars do not stop at red lights; it’s not illegal to go through them. You just say a little prayer and go on your way.
- Youth group is for marriage. You go to find a spouse.
- Motorcyclists make their own lane... Wherever there is room in the road. One got less then an inch to us.

I will send more as time goes along!

Here is my address in Brasil

Estrada Muinicipal do Mambu, 573
Cipo Embu Guacu, SP
06900-000
Brasil

Much love
corryn

I made it to Brasil!

Well, we made it to Brasil!  The plane ride was a long one.  

I said goodbye to my family this weekend.  It was such a bittersweet time for me.  The things that my family did for me was amazing.  I had a Christmas dinner, slept under the Christmas Tree, and has a very emotional prayer time with them.  Through this all, I feel so blessed to have such amazing friends and a amazingly supportive family.  I love you all.  

Saying goodbye in the airport was hard, but it had to be done.  Many tears were shed, but God gave me such a comfort that I knew it was all going to be ok.  Even on the plane, I was so comforted by Gods presence.  

Our 7 hour layover in Texas went by pretty fast actually.  Then the long flight began, 10 hours to Sau Paulo.  I slep a bit, watched some movies and read.  When we arrived in Brasil it was not hot, infact it was a bit nippy!  There are lots of clouds here right now, but everyone is saying that it will NOT stay this way for long.  Our misssionary family is amazing.  There so kind and welcoming.  Were going to see a play on Friday, the son of the family is in it.  Im really looking forward to that. 

There are a lot of big tall buildings here, then you get the slums... its hearbreaking.  I cant believe how some people are living.  It hurts.

Anyways, well I will update a bit later.  I dont have much time now.  Were 6 hours ahead of you, so its about 4:30.  The house is great thought, I love it!  Were going to the camp tomorrow and checking it out, they have horses!

Thanks SO much for all the prayers, it means so much to have so much support!

Much love

Corryn 

Brasil Here We Come!

Hello All!

Well we just got news today and our visa's were accepted! We leave for Brasil on Tuesday Dec.2! Your probably wondering how I felt when I received the great new. I had a lot of mixed feelings. I was so happy just to for sure know that we were going. It kinda hit me that it is actually real now. Like were actually going now. Before this, Brasil seemed so far away, kinda like it was never going to happen.
There are certain times when the thought of Brasil scares me, but that's life and you have to face that fear. I don't and won't live my life in fear. I'm going to stand up to it with Jesus. He has gotten me through hard times, and I know he will during these next 6 months too.

Were still in Vancouver, and will be for another week and a half. This week has gone by so quickly. Were working with the youth, and have gone through a lot alongside them. I never knew that there were children living in the conditions that they like 10 min away from my home. People do not need to travel half way around the world to serve. It can be done in your own town. Children are so beautiful here and I don't think they know it or hear it. I have been challenged in so many areas here. Questions I never thought that I would answer. God has given me strength to talk to these kids, and love them.

I really took me awhile to warm up to these kids and it took them even longer for them to warm up to me. I was know as the "Mean" Trekker. The kids hated me for a bit. I show a "Stern Love" these kids don't get a lot of discipline, so I took that job on. As the kids got to know me, they realized that I really do love them, and just want the best for them.

At there youth group on Friday night, I was asked to share my testimony (People found out about me being in Top Teen of Canada and my speech, decided that it would be best for me to speak first....!) It went well, but I was a bit discouraged at first. The kids listened, but did not really respond. It's hard to talk to a bunch of kids that don't really want to be there.

God has really been really teaching me lately that no person is impossible. So many times I look at peoples live (I know judgemental eh) and be like "oh this person could never change and accept Christ" But God has so much grace, and no person is impossible for God. I was reading through Acts, and I read the story about Saul.... WOW. God is so good. He turned a man who was killing Christian, into a man so filled with Jesus he could not hold it in. This just shows you never to give up on people... or God.

Please pray that as I lead up to Dec 2, the day we leave, that God will continue to give me a a passion and a fire for Brasil. And that change will be easy!! Also that our team will continue to come together, and have patience with one another. I really do love them!

Thank you again for all you prayers and love... I feel them!

Much love
Corryn

I never thought I would live in an attic!

Well, a lot has happened from when I last updated you all.

Our visas are still unknown to this day. We have not heard anything about them, but we did receive a call from the embassy. A member of MBMSI called then back but got no answer. So please keep our visas in your prayers. We would love to get to Brazil on December 2!

As for the Attic, right at this very moment I am sitting on my bed in an attic. Its great. Were living in Vancouver for 2 weeks and working with New Beginnings baptist church. Were living in the church, and working with the youth. They don't really have an organized youth, so that is our task for these 2 weeks. Were working along side the youth pastor and his wife. He actually was a missionary in Brazil for 5 years, and his wife is Brazilian. They started a camp ministry in Brazil, how cool is that. I can see God's hand in so many areas in my life right now, its actually amazing to see.

Our team has gone thought a lot these past few week, but were so excited to see what God going to do these next few weeks with us.

One thing that God has really been challenging me these past few weeks is putting him first in my life and all I do. I know I was not doing this in my life. In a church service, I was really challenged with this. We were asked "Do I love Jesus more then everything, and am I willing to give up everything to him." These words shot at my like a bullet. I realized that I was putting my family, my needs and comforts before Jesus. This is not right, and Jesus really taught me this. The pastor said "That Jesus requires us to surrender everything; nothing less then total surrender."
Our task is big, but Jesus is bigger. I know that this is something that I will need to give up to him everyday, but God deserves all of me.

It excites me so much to know and see God working in our team. It brings a smile to my face :)

Please pray that I may be able to adapt to change quickly. This seems to be hard for me. Also for our team and what God has planned for us these next 2 weeks.

Thanks for all the love prayers and support

With much love
Corina - my Portuguese name!

P.s The picture is of my team at my moms work - Shannon Oaks. We we suspost to be cleaning the closet, but we had more fun dressing up!

Representing Abbotsford!

Well, yes were still in Abbotsford! But its OK, because this is where God wants us right now.

We said goodbye to Thailand, Germany, and India... boy oh boy that was hard. I never thought that I would get so close to so many people in only 2 month. I miss all my TREK family. They all arrived in their countries and are doing great. We skyped Thailand and they had said that that morning they had got massages and were heading to the beach! Wow, if that's the life of a missionary, count me in! I'm just kidding, they were just having a relaxing first day.


As for team Brazil, our assignment for this month is still unknown. Were currently living the life at one of my teammates house. Its beautiful! Were filling up our days with great service things. Today we went to the gleaners in Abbotsford, it was great. Its a place that cuts veggies and fruit, then dries it then send it to 3rd world countries as soup. Its really neat. Then on Thursday we have then honour of going to Shannon Oaks for the day. I'm so excited to show my team it. I really think that they will love the old people, and that they will love us too!

So, please pray that our visas will come in. Were really hoping to leave Dec. 2... well if that is Gods timing for us I guess!

Well, I will keep you updated with what will be happening with us.
Thanks again for all your prayers and support!

"He did a miracle in my own heart"

Another week gone. It seems like time just FLIES by here, its unbelievable!

God has been doing SO much in me. As some of you know, my feelings and emotions have been ALL over the palace these past weeks. Feeling like God was calling me home, then thinking that I was supposed to stay here. Through all this God has always been faithful.

2 weeks ago, I truly felt God was calling me home. I was taking the step that I should be taking in order to come home. I was at peace with this, and truly felt like this is what God wanted for me. Then, coming home on thanksgiving my dad had asked me if I had closed the door to Brazil. I was taken off guard, I told him yes, because I did not want to go back to the unsettled feeling that I had had previously. He asked me to see if I could leave the door even a little bit open........ "WHAT" I thought!

God did so much in that next week, all signs were pointing to BRAZIL! One thing that happened, a dad of good friend of mine from TREK asked me where I was going. I told him my situation of me not really knowing where God wanted me. He told me that I needed to go to Brazil, God was calling me there. I look back now, and see the Holy Spirit working in that situation. I took all that he said to heart. That conversation meant a lot.

Well, as the week went on, fear took over me. I didn't think that I had enough strength to go and serve. Thinking that this was God telling me to stay. I was still preparing to go home.... (I know, dumb...) Anyways, on Oct 21 I went to bed thinking and preparing to come home. I woke up on Oct 22, and God did a miracle in my heart. He gave me a passion, love and a heart to go and serve him in Brazil. So, I made my FINAL decision, I will be going to Brazil. I alone do not have the strength to do this, I am relying on God. I know that he is SO faithful, and will always be there. I am so excited!

I know times are only going to get tougher, but with God leading me and on his strength, I know I can do this.

Now, just because I was ready to go on Friday, this was not Gods plan. Brazil's visa were rejected. We will not be leaving on Friday. We were very surprised, but were not angry. God is so good and we truly believe God has something for us here. We are hoping to leave in December if that is Gods will. Were not sure where were going to be living, or what we will be doing yet... but God knows and that's all that matters. Were so faithful in him and can't wait to see what he has in store for us!

Please pray for our visas, and that God will continue to give me strength in the hard times.

Thanks for all your love and prayers, I will keep you updated on what we will be doing as soon as I know!

Much love
Corryn

p.s - here is some lyrics to a song my mom has claimed as "Corryn's song!" It is an amazing song, and has helped me thorough some tought moments.


"Footprints In The Sand" by Leona Lewis

You walked with me
Footprints in the sand
And helped me understand
Where I'm going
You walked with me
When I was all alone
With so much unknown
Along the way then I heard you say

I promise you
I'm always there
When your heart is filled with sorrow
And despair
And I'll carry you
When you need a friend
You'll find my footprints in the sand

I see my life flash across the sky
so many times have I been so afraid
and just when I I thought I lost my way
you give me strength to carry on
that's when I heard you say

I promise you I'm always there
When your heart is filled with sorrow
and despair
and I'll carry you
When you need a friend
You'll find my footprints in the sand

when I'm weary
well I know you be there
and I can feel you when you say

I promise you
I'm always there
when your heart is filled with sadness
and despair
I'll carry you when you need a friend
you'll find my footprints in the sand

God is good all the time, and all the time God is good

These past weeks have been amazing! TREK has been one of the hardest, best most amazing things in my life.

Last week, was a very busy week. We had lots of speakers and duties to do. But with that I learned so much. We had a pastor and his wife come in from Niagara Falls. Before each session, we always introduce ourselves, say where we are from, and where we are going. Its a bit hard for me, because every time I have to say " My name is Corryn, I'm from Richmond, and I actually won't be going on assignment." In a way it gets hard for me, to see teams come together and having such a great time together. Last week all the teams went out for team time, and team Canada (Me) stayed back at the Mark centre, and did some reading.

Anyways, back to the story, the pastor couple came and prayed for each one of us. When it came to me, Herm (the pastor) told me that God will reveal his plans for me in my dreams. I thought this was very strange and amazing at the same time. I mean, the only dreams that I normally have is me marrying a famous person and having having a great life together. I didn't know that God could give me a vision about my life adn waht he has planned for me thought a dream. I know he is not saying that all my dreams I have are true, but its cool to see that God can revleal thing to me in many different ways.

I went home for thanksgiving, and it was AMAZING. It was so nice to be at home and be in company with my family. A few TREKKERS came over and they really enjoyed it. They said that my family is so nice, and they loved the food. I loved just hearing my family laugh. Everyone around the table, loving each other and being with each other. It was great!

This week so far we have heard a man from India . He is amazing. He has so much love for Jesus it blows me away. He always says he is a student with us, and that he is always wanting to know Jesus more.

People have been so supportive here. They are so loving and know that Im going to do great things, wherever I am. It is going to be SO hard to see everyone leave. We have become a great big family here and it is amazing. Each person here brings so much to the group. I tell you its going to be very different not being with everyone 24/7.

Well, Im off to another session. Thank you for all the prayers and support.

Corryn

I need to follow him...

Dear family, friends and loved ones.

As you know, these past weeks at TREK have been a roller coaster. Emotions everywhere, thoughts flying all over the place, and a heart that just wanted to be settled.
God has truly lead me in a direction and I feel very at peace with this decision.
I will be participating in the TREK training, but I will not be going to Brazil this year.
This might come as a shock to some of you. I will try to explain as best as I can.

I feel that I am not ready to partake in this adventure right now in my life. I have much more to learn about my emotions and how to deal with them. I can tell you honestly that if I went to Brazil, I would not be able to give my whole heart to what I would be doing. That would not be unfair to my team, the missionaries we would be working with, and the people I will encounter. I feel like If I went, I would be the one that would need the most tending to, and not the beautiful people in Brazil, that that is just simply not fair. I just don't feel ready right now and do feel like God is leading me to stay here.
I want to tell you that I'm very at peace with this decision and I do feel like this is the right choice right now.
I was asked if I will regret this. I thought long and hard, and this is what I though. I will miss terribly not getting on the plane with the Brazil team. It will be very hard, but I know in my heart I don't think I will regret it. I look back and see all the pain, heartache, and unbearable moments and know that I'm am making the right decision.
I know with all my heart that God will use me here wherever and whatever he leads me to do.
I will be finishing the training because it is such amazing, life long tools that we are learning. I have learned so much and I'm applying it all to my life.

If you have any question please feel free to e mail me and I will do my best to answer them for you. (corrynginter@hotmail.com)

I once again thank you for all the support you have given. It truly means the world to have people in my life that supported me with any decision that I was to make.

With Much love
Corryn

Prayer...

Thank you so much for all the comments you leave. They always bring a smile to my face and a tear to my eye.

I'm not going to lie, tonight was a pretty hard night. Fear hit me like a brick. I lack in faith so much sometimes. Thinking that I'm going through this alone. I understand that God is with me, and going to be with me in Brazil but I just want him to hug me a bit tighter sometime so I feel him a bit more. The fear, emotions and all the other things that are filling my head feel as if sometimes they overtake my heart. I know this is where God wants me, but in those HARD times, I sometimes just want to take the easy way out.
So, I ask you to pray that the fears inside me will go away, and that Ill fill those moments of fear with praise and worship to God.

I again thank you for all the prayers and support. They sure help SO much!

Much Much love
Corryn

Look out BRAZIL, here I come!

So, as you probably have guessed, I'm off to Sao Paulo BRAZIL!! I'm so excited and so at peace with the decision.
This morning we started off with worship, then the teams were revealed. It was so nerve racking. I was so scared and nervous. When i saw who my team was and where I was going, I was so HAPPY. God totally gave me a totally peace about it all and I'm so thankful for that.
Now is when we start to get ready for what we will be doing in Brazil. I'm not exactly sure what we will be doing there yet, but I'm very excited to see what God has in store for me.

Please continue to pray that our team unites and get along well.

Thanks for all the prayers and support

Much Love
Corryn

Just a few more hours...

Well, tomorrow at this time I will know where I'm going! I'm very excited and SO scared at the same time. Not knowing where you'll be spending the next 7 months of your life, and who you'll be with is crazy!
Please pray that I will have peace on my placement and my team. That as a team well be excited about serving God where he wants us.

I will update you all tomorrow on the decision!

Much love
Corryn

Talk Talk Talk!!!!

Hello!!!! (it feels so great to say this)

I can finally talk again! My 48 hours of silence was so HARD! Wow, I don't know where to start. It began at 1:30 on Thursday. I started off with a nice walk around the little pond swamp thing we have here just down the street. I thought that I would start off this 48 hours with a little walk with God.
A side story - A few days ago when I was in my confusion, I went for a walk around the pond swamp thing, and I saw a beaver swimming in it. I thought that it was so cool. I just watched it until it was out of my site. It was so amazing.
So, as I walked around the pond again on Thursday, I pleaded with God, that if he was truly with me, he would show me the beaver again within the next 48 hours. Since going through this tough week, it was so hard to know that God was truly with me. That through this confusion and doubt he was walking right beside me. As soon as I said that all I herd was a voice inside me say
" hahah, oh Corryn I have something so much better."
As I look back at that moment, I can't believe I even questioned the creator of the universe to reveal something like that. I know that on God's time, he will reveal himself to me. And if he choose not to, that will be ok too.
The Lord God of my life is a living one, and I will put my whole trust in him. He will not get me around the tough times, he will get me thought them.

These past few days, I have found myself journaling. I have never really liked it, or done it much. But I have felt like I can be so real with God through what I write down.
I have also found so much joy in reading the bible. I have read through many books these past 48 hours, and I never knew how much I related to them. Its like I'm reading my own stories. I find it so amazing how God can use the Scripture to related to our own lives. All these past years, I have just felt like I'm reading a story. It was truly amazing to just be with God these past days.
With Gods strength, love and faith I'm so excited to say that I will be doing Trek this year. I know that with him leading me though my darkest hours, I will be able to do this. I very well know that it is NOT going to be easy at all. But I just know that this is what he wants me to do. Also I'm at peace with this decision. Thanks for all the prayers for this.

Once again, that you so much for all the prayers, love and support. They have comforted me thought the nights, and gotten me thought the tears.

Psalm 62 : 1-2

"My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken."

I love you all.
xoxo

The night before the Silence

Loved Ones:

Well tomorrow is the big day. 48 whole hours with no talking, computers, cellphones etc. Just our bibles, pens and journals. I'm looking forward to it, but also very nervous about it. I don't think I have gone that long in my life without talking..... actually I don't think I have gone 48 seconds without talking! I know God will talk to me and I'm SO ready to listen. I'm looking forward to hearing his voice, and then doing what he says.

Things have gotten better here. I'm having a great time getting to know people better and sharing our stories. I am still going through many tough times, with many tears... then concluded with many hugs. I never knew how much home meant to me until I got here. Last night was the first night where I was truly home sick. Just wanting to go home and sleep in my own bed, and seeing my family. Its hard, but I once herd a little saying " With God, all things are possible."

God has so much in store for me and I can't wait to see what that it. We have had many great speakers come in and talk to us. I have learned that I need to trust God more, and know that he wants whats best for me, even thought It may be hard. I know that I can do anything with God leading me.

Please pray that I will have peace after the silence, and that things will continue to get better. I want to thank you all again for all the prayer and messages. They truly mean SO much to me.I

love you all
xoxox

My First week at TREK

Hello everyone!

Well my TREK experience has begun. It has been a week and I have learned so much already. When I got to the Mark centre last Sunday, I had so many mixed feelings. The first night was tough. I think I might have got 2 hours of sleep. That night was filled with many tears. I felt that I was not at peace with where I was. Like God had other plans for me elsewhere. This feeling is very hard to understand and to accept. This whole week has been filled with trials, fears and a sense of unsettlement. I still to this moment don't know where God wants me, and the waiting period is the hardest. I ultimately want to do what God wants me to do, and waiting for that moment is what is the hardest. I just want to take a moment to THANK my family, friends and loved ones for the unconditional support. That support is felt here in Abbotsford, and I truly thank you for all the prayers, text messages, e mails, calls and thoughts. I love you all. Today has been the first day where I have felt the most peace.
On Thursday we have a silent retreat for 48 hours where we are to listen to God. Please pray that God will lead me to where he wants me to be, and be there with total peace and with no regrets.
I have met the most amazing people here. They have challanged me to truly love God, to TRUST him with everything, and to sumit to him.
I love you all and will keep you updated with where God is leading me.
Keep me in your prayers, your all in mine!