"God With Us"
I would say, "It all started when-" but that would be a false statememtn because God has continually been with us. Thus, I will begin.
We first began to notice it all when- we began to recount the details of our botanical garden outing. The front desk at the hostel gave brief directions, "get on this bus and you will eventually see it." The instant we reached the bus stop, Michelle, one of us fearless four, jumped on a bus and called us aboard. We were very disoriented but Michelle's spotting skills had managed to be very accurate (and God with us). Getting off the bus was another "coincidence" (or God with us) as right when we were passing the gardens, Michelle went to ask the attendant and Jocelyn struck up a conversation with a local. Both informing the girls "Get off NOW!" When our visit with the lovely flowers of Brazil ended, we had the task of finding the opposite bus stop. Before we had reached the point of uneasiness, a kind, English speaking man on a bicycle with his little daughter in the front basked, approached us and asked what we were trying to find. He pointed us up the road and rode away like a heaven sent angel (and again God with us).
The next event of non-coincidence was one of the highlights of the trip: Sugar Loaf Mountain. We again, talked to the front desk of the hostel for directions and information. As our plan was supposed to go: bus to the site, hike the first hill to avoid additional tram costs, pay 22 Reais for the second tram, come back by bus. Well, plans did not go as planned, as usual. When we arrived off the bus, we found out that hiking was not available at dusk, so the price doubled to 44 Reais. I had foolishly brought the exact amount that I had expected, so as the other girls were already scrounging for enough money to cover themselves, they also were trying to scrounge for me as well. Some how, some way, we managed to have the perfect amount for 4 full way tickets on the tram, 4 bus rides back, and 4 Reais left over! It was another obvious moment of "God with us." As for the breath taking view that followed as we sat atop the city on sugar Loaf Mountain, we absorbed all of the sweetness of the sky turning dark and the glistening city lights slowly consuming the lovely city below.
Another form of "God with us" was during our tour to the favela, the slum. Yes, it sounds dangerous, yes there were men with gigantic guns strapped to them, yes we rode on motorcycle taxis, but I felt the most safe there then walking in Rio strangely enough. The thrill was great and the message was deep. Seeing the negative cycle of the favela's is hard to even begin to think of if it could ever get better. However, the people in the favelas, though impoverished, are still people. They are so kind, lively, and enthusiastic. Learning about others was just another stirring up of love and insight from the Lord. While there, not knowing what to expect, but fully embracing the culture, I could richly feel the clothing of prayers around our group and the hand of God with us.
The goodness of the Lord was ever present. There was yet again, another obvious time of His presence with us. We decided that we wanted to go to the island across the bay from Rio. So as usual, we went to the front desk to ask for directions. They said, get on the subway, get off here, and walk a bit and you will find it. Well, when we got off, we started walking... walking... and not finding. It was not in clear sight at all. We decided to ask someone, in our broken Spanish the Portuguese lady somehow figured out what we meant and happened to be going there herself, so she led the way! She was like another heaven sent angel, and again, God with us.
God was so good to us the entire trip! So many fun stories and memories passed :) Praise Him for His fellowship, love, grace, and presence! :)
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