Jumpstart: Brazil

Monday morning we left for the Acajutaba Village Homestay until Tuesday afternoon. So far this was my favorite trip! We took an hour and half speed boat ride down the Amazon to this village and upon arrival they introduced us to the families we would be staying with. I stayed with Dr. Bill’s (our ship’s resident doctor) wife  Suzie and our village “mom” was Owlina and our “sister” was Vanessa.  Even though I could only speak a few words in Portuguese I some how figured out a way to communicate with the kids of the village, who I spent most of my time with on the trip.

My favorite part of the trip was spending time with all of the villagers at once when we hung out in the main house area. Monday night the children showed us their traditional village dance and then taught

It was very tough to get up this morning (Wednesday) but I couldn’t miss the orphanage! So we drove about 45 minutes outside the city of Manaus to get to the Monte Salem Orphanage. I was in a foul mood for who knows what reason and I was not really that excited about this trip. The problem was that there were about 30 students going on this service trip to an orphanage of 17 students. So I already knew (as stupid as this sounds) I would be fighting for one on one time with kids and being involved with Jumpstart makes me so possessive of kids! I like need to be the one front and center hanging out with the kids and its quite obnoxious and I was really bummed that it was going to be a less personal experience than I wanted.

So we get to the orphanage and its actually quite beautiful. Of course the kids were adorable and there was actually another group of volunteers at the center who were from all over. They were a group called YWAM I think, and they were spending a month in Brazil volunteering at the orphanage… so there were like 50 adults and 20 kids. Sorta annoying but this one girl came up to me and we played tag, hide and seek, and took videos the whole time. My mood completely changed when I was hanging out with her because I was one of the lucky few who actually got to connect with one of the kids. I can’t speak any Portuguese so the most communicating we did was with signs and through one of the translators but it was completely fine.

The hand game that the children in Acajutaba village taught me was also being played at the orphanage and our guide noticed that I knew it so he asked me to do a demonstration for the crowd! It was a simple moment but it made me feel pretty cool in front of the orphanage and the other students and faculty teaching a Brazilian game!  Sarah, the girl I was with made me a bracelet before I left whichw was really cool and now I have something to remember her by ☺

Today (Wednesday) is the first day I don’t have anything to do and I plan on catching up on sleep then making some phone calls home before and after dinner. Then off to the Samba! WOOO BRASILA!

Today was our first day en route to GHANA! I am super pumped to be on my way to Africa! I had such a busy day! Three classes, work, 3 meetings and now I am babysitting my buddy Sydney! I met her on my homestay at the Acajutaba village on Monday. The first thing she said to me was “Why are your eyes so big?” She is the most outspoken spunky seven year old I have ever met. I love her! My new found friendship with her is only going to add to my reputation as the college student who cant get enough of kids. Every place we have been to so far I always find kids that I love! This is what Jumpstart has done to me!

Sydney is actually the daughter of Marti, one of the deans on the ship, and the woman who we all call “the voice” because she makes all the announcements on the ship. Marti was the first adult I met on the ship and is an awesome lady. I hope I stay in contact with her after the voyage.