Fantastico Semana!

What a fantastic week! As we are waiting in line at passport control I can't help but reflect on our time here:  the campers said it was the best family feel yet, the counsellors loved the campers tirelessly and wholeheartedly, the volunteers jumped into their roles as if it came natural, and Samuel and Shirley led confidently. They are ready!

We are now making plans to have a team come to The Swamp next summer; another chance to taste and drink the camp culture and to see our dear friends.

Can't wait to see you parents; again very grateful for your support and trust to let them change the world one camp at a time. See you in the morning! Bom noche. Jeff

Seeing Rio

In just a minute we will take off to hike a small mountain called Sugarloaf. From there we will take a cable car to another mountain and see a great view of the city. Fun!

O final 😣

Year 3 of Camp Swamp in Brasil was a SUCCESS! But, with sad hearts, we have to pack our bags and head back home. There are no words I could say to possibly express how great of an impact this adventure has had on my heart. The fact that we only spent about 5 days at camp, and being able to see the impact that it had on both myself and so many of the other counsellors, campers, and staff there, goes to show how powerful our God is. And because the God we serve has no limits, we have officially completed year 3 of bringing the Swamp to Brazil!  The camp is now completely the Brazilians', and I have no doubt in my mind that it will only continue to grow and change more and more people's lives as time goes on.

I have had an amazing time here, to say the least. Watching my campers in Girls' 2 laugh at me for trying to speak to them in Portuguese, learning how to properly Samba, and trying foods I don't know the names of are just a few of the awesome memories that I'll take back home with me. We're going to spend tomorrow in Rio and then we'll be on our way home! I'll miss this beautiful place, but, as Jeff said, "we may not be here, but [the Brazilians] will be with us wherever we go."  -Abby

Eight Legs Dancing with Girls 1!

It's crazy to think today is the last full day of camp- it's gone by so fast. Last night, we had our fiesta which wiped out all the campers, so we slept well! Girls 1 had a little adventure of their own at the dance party. During the middle of it, we stopped to read love letters. Two letters in, we hear screaming because there was a giant, tarantula-like-spider. It was huge and gross!! Half of my cabin was scared to death and crying when the lights went out for the party to start again. One poor girl Nicole has a phobia of spiders, so she had to be carried back to the cabin. Needless to say, last night was an adventure. Other than the spider, we have had a blast out here and are looking forward to an EPIC last day! Now off to clean the cabins! 

-Rebecca 

Bom Dia!

It is now the 3rd full day of Swamp in Brazil, and I have learned more Portuguese and gotten better at my sign language quicker than any Duolingo or Rosetta Stone could have taught me! It is amazing to see how the camp here has the same heart of camp as the Swamp back home, but the people have made it their own with their beautiful, animated culture. I have had the best time getting to know my brothers and sisters here, and I am continually in awe of God's love and how it goes above and beyond any skin color, language, etc. His love is blind, and I see that so clearly here each day through the Brazilians, who are all so diverse, yet love each other so much and love me despite the fact that I usually don't understand what they're saying. I only have two days left, but I'm going to continue soaking it up as much as I can and trying foods with names I don't know. Tchau for now! -Abby 

Adventure awaits in Brazil

The Brazilians speak Portuguese and we speak English but friendship speaks all languages. No matter what language you speak you can always make a friend. I know these friendships are going to last a lifetime. I've met so many new people! We danced we sang and we played swamp ball together. Through this amazing week I have made some amazing bonds with campers in other cabins and even with the workers. I know I'm going to miss the new friendships I've made but it's been so much fun to get to know them. This trip has been an adventure you don't want to pass up and I'm so grateful I got the chance to do this!

Camp has started!!

We finally started camp today, and it feels so good to be back- I've missed the food and the people so much. I am so grateful to have Meninas Une (not sure if I spelt that totally right lol) again and some of the same girls from last year.  With having the little girls, none of them speak English which has its challenges, but I love it! It is some how easy to love each other and laugh together. They love to laugh at me when I have no idea what they are saying, but eventually we are able to understand each other, so it works out. The campers have only been here for a few hours, but I can already see the love all around and can't wait to see what else God does this week. 

- Rebecca Bennett

After 7 Hours We Are Here!

Food. Family. Hugs. Laughs. All greeted us as we got off the bus. It is good to be back. Oh yeah winter says hi too as it is chilly! Time to eat and then sleep. More tomorrow. Bom noite! Jeff

#Rioisthebest

We are back in Brazil for the third year of Swamp Corps here!! Entirely exhausted and sleep deprived, but ecstatic nonetheless. I feel tremendously blessed and grateful for the opportunity to have been able to go all three years to the camp here. Just in the last two trips, I saw so much growth and so many bonds formed. The people here truly desired a home away from home and took the initiative to make it happen. As we're getting on the bus to head to camp after church service, I'm thinking about all the previous Brazilian counselors I've made relationships with and all the campers I've counseled here or have met as well. By thinking about that, I'm getting so hyped for the coming week and what God has in store for the Brazilian camp! Please be praying for no snakes and no breaks, and that this will be one of the best weeks yet! #SwampCorpsBrazil2016 

-Jordan Nabors

The Gecko Has Landed!

After a slightly bumpy but good flight. We are in Rio. Met Vinicius, the Olympic mascot, on our way to baggage claim. We are now in cars heading to church. Wahoo!

Almost there!!!

For me, this trip started two years ago. I came home from camp after hearing about the upcoming trip to Brazil, and I knew I had to make it happen within the next three years, before the chance was gone. So, I signed up for the trip going in July of 2015, fundraising and (trying) to study Portuguese with the help of Google Translate. After getting everything into place, however, my visa to get into the country had a few complications and I wasn't able to go on the trip with the group. My plans were pushed back by another 365 days, but, finally, I'm at the airport with the group for year 3, waiting to head onto an airplane and take off to Brazil!!!! God has taught me lots of patience throughout the process of getting things in line for this trip, but it's with that patience that He has poured out His favor to me in letting me finally get here. Pray for safe travels for all of us, I cannot wait to see what God does with this amazing adventure. Tchau for now! -Abby

Brasil Bound!!!

Seven is a good number. Biblical numerology tells us it represents "wholeness, completeness, perfection."  There are seven of us on this team and what a great group of people. Perfect from the get go. Some are excited to return again, others going for the very first time; either way, we can't wait to get there.

We land at 8am tomorrow, then go straight to worship service with the Rio church. Please pray for me as I have the honor of preaching. This is mine and Jennifer's 11th straight week of camp and the brain is a bit fried. The body is weak but the spirit is strong, hey?! I have been thinking a lot about the Spirit and have a feeling I am going to find myself in many situations over the next year or so where I will have to rely on the Spirit. Tomorrow is one of those times so I am at peace with opportunity to speak.

After church we get on a bus and ride for 8-9 hours to camp. I am betting we will be ready for a bed!  Thanks for all the thoughts and prayers for this trip: another historic time for the ministry of The Swamp.  Much love, Jeff