Swamp Pomp!

It never gets old! Truthfully I worry that the older campers may be a little bored right at the start, but then it all begins and the lives we live are put on a week long hold. This time around what I've really appreciated is that with some effort willing hearts and the favour of the Lord, a unique camp can be born. Barbados loves the swamp, our lives are eternally changed. :)
Steve

Chasing Roosters

Barbados is amazing. The people are wonderful and the food is delicious. Julia and I tried to catch a rooster yesterday, it didn't really work but we will catch that rooster by the end of the week. It's on Julia's bucket list so she is more determined than me. Anyways keep praying that weather stays beautiful!
Caroline Long

Bajan Fever!

It is so great returning to the island. Many familiar faces and friends remembered since the last time I visited in 2011 with the Columbia Campus ministry.
Already, there are unforced bonds and memories being made - glory be to God. The older girls I am counseling are doing a fantastic job at being loving servants and building relationships; stepping up and making an impact. I cannot wait for what the Lord is going to do the rest of this week for His name to be lifted High!
If you read this, Please pray for love and safety here at camp!! I'm over joyed! ;)
<3 Tia Pope

Home sweet home

After our early morning wake up call, we have finally arrived! And there is no better way to arrive than being greeted by our Bajan family. It feels good to be home. We're off to a day full of fellowship, training, and most importantly good food before all the kids arrive tomorrow. Keep us in your prayers as we embark on our third and final year in this beautiful country!
-Ashlyn Bennett
Ps, Alex says hi!

Landed in Miami

Landed safely in Miami thank you for all of the prayers. We can't wait to go to Barbados in an hour. Keep all of us in your prayers and let's hope this week will be amazing!

Caroline Long

Barbados here we come!!

Chillin at the airport with my fellow future bajans!! We're tired but ready to fly and maybe get some sleep... But probably not!

Never the right time to say goodbye

Leaving Brazil yesterday was probably the hardest thing I have had to do in a long time. I have had such an amazing week in Belo and it was so difficult to say goodbye to everyone. I have built so many close relationships with people in a matter of four days and even though we couldn't communicate very well, I feel like I've known everyone at the camp forever. I know for a fact that I'm coming back next year, so its not a "goodbye", it's a "see you soon".
Bailey

So close, and yet so far

Swamp corps Brazilian mission has come to an end. Although all of us are sad to leave, our mission was a success. The kids had a great time and had a "family like bond" with each other. Even thuogh I couldn't speak their language, I could cumunicate with my fellow campers with hand signals and basic acting skills. I was the oldest kid in boys 4 (every one else being 14) but that was not a problem because all if us had a blast and bonded like brothers. Although I could not speak their language, I could see their hearts and that's all that really counted. All of them kept trying to talk to me, knowing that they couldn't. They were willing to somehow overcome the language barrier in order to have a basic conversation. If all else failed we grabbed the nearest translator. However, now camp is over and we said our goodbye's....or at least until next time.
So here we all are, back in the States, sitting in the Miami airport. We'll get some sleep, drink some coffee, have commumion, wait for our plane, and should bust out if here at about 11:30. So close to home yet so far!
-Austin Hunter

Reflecting and Laughing

We are at the Belo Horizonte talking, sitting, laughing and thinking what an incredible time we have. Love conquers all: the more trips I go on the I realize the power of love overcoming any differences we may have. I will spend time thinking about that as I think this is a simple and deep well. Now I have to change gears and get ready for Barbados' 3rd year. Thanks for your support. Can't wait to see you.

Much love, Jeff

Inspiring

As is custom when Swamp Corps goes to a new country for the first time, our closing ceremony finished with a story of the power of dreams and of faith. It's a story about a kingdom in ruin, one without hope or faith, full of sadness and hardship. In the story, an old man on a journey unknowingly comes to the king's castle to ask to stay the night and have a meal. When the old man sees the run down castle and the condition of the kingdom he decides to help by giving the king a magic spyglass that allows you to see "what can be." He gives the king this charge, "You've seen what can be. Now go and make it so." And the kingdom, having been given the gift of hope and of vision and dreams, restores itself and flourishes. I'm on my way home and am feeling incredibly inspired. I'm inspired to go back home and dream for my life and for my campus ministry and God's kingdom. I'm excited to "go and make it so." And I'm incredibly grateful to this trip for that. Thank you all for all your support and prayers. I hope you too are feeling inspired by this trip.
Obrigado (Thanks),
Cameron Roepe

Incredible.

I'm so grateful for this amazing experience. I thank my parents and GOD for this oppurtunity to live a dream of traveling to Brazil. It was so amazing to see the Brazilians embrace camp culture and have so much fun. Swamp has no language or nationality. It is always great to live in a place where GOD is the focus for a week! I am more spiritual now than I have been in my whole life.
Marques Wilson

Immeasurably more than we could ask for

Holy cow this week has been so amazing. To see God work in a way that I've never experienced before has been incredible. I saw the walls of insecurity, fear and doubt crumble in the people around me. The powerful love that I saw and that I felt from the people here truly amazed me. This week I got to experience camp like never before-I usually have loud weeks of camp and I can honestly say this was probably my quietest week of camp since I couldn't use my words very much to show love,and I think that was a good thing for me. It was so cool to see God move in the hearts of the people here. He has done SO MUCH MORE than I imagined he would do this week. Camp happened in Brazil!!! We serve an amazing and powerful God and I am so grateful.
Love halie

Um Exército Que Conquista

If you think I did not understand Portugese this week, then you are probably right; but if you think God was not here with us this week, then you are completly wrong.  The first couple of days it was near impossible to fathom that I was in Brazil (or Brasil if you are a native).  But immediately after taking a sip of the coffee, it hits you.  The cultures between the two countries are amazingly different; yet God's love, their love for God, and their convictions are exactly the same, despite the distance between the two countries.  For example, Brazilians eat healthier food, where as Americans eat very artificial things.  Another thing I have noticed is that Brazilians are not the most cautious people.  But yet when they make the decision to find God in their life, their is no caution, just a full fledged heart to serve God.  In my eyes, an army of Brazilian disciples can and will conquer and change their homes, towns, state, continent, and the world.  That is why Swamp was brought to Brazil.

Also, shoutout to my co-counselor, Fillipe.  Even though our age difference could have stopped us, our love and convictions overcame any challenges we had counseling Boys 2.  I thank you and I am extremely grateful to call you my brother in Christ.  I love you brother!

Kendal

Saying goodbye's

5 hours and counting! That's how long we've been saying, "see you next year", "until next time" or "tchau".  When you've bonded so quickly with such affectionate and passionate people, it's going to take a minute!
We will miss this country and it's people. We are forever a Swamp family.
Until next time, Brazil!

-Sheila

Love in Action

This trip is challenging. But I love it. I have learned so so much. From the language, to the culture, to how to work through barriers, these limitations have opened a whole new world for me. Learning to converse with the kids is mentally draining but exciting. I have learned to love with action. I've found I do more activities with my campers. Because I cannot speak to them very well I have learned to be more animated and out of myself. I have learned new ways to communicate such as dancing, chanting, high fives, bowing and singing. Today was the first day I felt connected to my campers. My biggest fear going in to the week was that I would be ignored. It is so rewarding though just to see smiles or laughs. It is amazing what one can sense without words. This week has taught me to speak through action. And That character, godliness, and convictions are best demonstrated through what one does. I'm so grateful I get to be in Brazil. There are so many great leaders here and I see so many more soon to come in my cabin. Cabine un esta moite manero. Chaio.
Nicholas

Good Times Com Boas Amigas

Muito bom saber que mesmo com a distancia temos o mesmo proposito ,e esta com voces brincar rir se divertir juntos é muito gostoso e bom
- bianca

Well camp is in full swing here in Brazil! We are singing, dancing, playing lots of ninja and soccer and having fun! Despite the language barrier the girls in my cabin are having fun and we are finding ways to communicate and play! We are tired from our meager attempts at Portugese but God is teaching us a lot and camp is working it's magic here!
-halie

This is a picture of bianca and me! :)

It's the Little Things.....

It's Thursday morning and the kids are in clase de biblia (bible class) and counselors are enjoying a much needed break! This morning we enjoyed being apart of the singing devotional praising God in two languages. It truly is amazing to hear the Brazilians sing songs in Portuguese...even if we don't understand the language we all are praising the same God.
We have learned so much in such a short time and have grown in our gratitude for the little things at home/ The Swamp. Like asking a camper to go to sleep and knowing they understand you even if they don't listen.... Or asking a camper what they would like to do and understanding their response. Despite the language barrier, we feel like we have established a Swamp atmosphere here in Brazil. The Brazilian campers are so outgoing and fun! They love to dance and move their hips! And they are the most open and beautiful people you will ever meet. Their beauty is probably due to the fact that they like to shower multiple times a day - much different than the Swamp! It has been a joy to get to know them and we are confident that South America will have a fun and impactful camp for many years to come.

Kevin & Dee

Deus Faz Momentos Especiais

Momentos especiais, cheios de amor, alegria, coragem, sonhos e força de Deus. Cada um dando seu melhor, cada um vencendo suas barreiras e se encontrando em um grande sorriso acolhedor. Deus, com todo seu amor, tem cuidado de cada detalhe. Hoje, um dia incrivel e inesplicavel.

Shaene Rodrigues, (a esquerda)

Playing Through Fears

What fun it is to see the kids play. The camp here has a low ropes obstace course and the kids are having a blast. Kids are kids all over the world...they just want to play and be happy. They teach us to play and enjoy life and that we can grow from being fearful to confident, happy adults. We had a boy afraid to sleep away from home, do so last night. He was happy and proud this morning; he grew a few steps last night. We have a girl who was a afraid to try the low ropes course (see picture) and she is doing it, made it all the way through. We have counselors overcoming their fears of being able to do a good job. So proud of everyone.

Jeff

Brazilian Friendships

So far at camp, friendships have started even though there is a language barrier between the campers and counselors. We always find ways to communicate and have fun and show our love for God. The Brazilians show the Americans new sports and new games. The Americans are also teaching the campers dodgeball and limbo and many other things. All of us are so excited to be together and form new relationships.
Sandy, Camila, and Sarah

My experience in Brazil

So far, Brazil has been an amazing experience and I have learned so much about the country and I am in love with it! This is my first time in South America and I'm learning about the culture everyday. Portuguese is such a hard language to learn, but speaking to the Brazilians everyday has tought me so much more than learning it from a book, since I didn't bring one. I am growing so much closer to them and I am appreciating relationships in the church more than I have ever before. It has been hard to communicate with the Brazilians who don't speak English, so using other people and charades has helped me speak to them. I'm super excited to see what amazing things God will do to everyone this week; I'm so grateful that God has chosen me to go to Brazil this week....its already changing me so much!

Primeiro Acampamento Brasileiro, First Brazilian Camp

Hoje começa o primeiro acampamento brasileiro. Tem sido incrivel aprender com pessoas tão experientes e especiais. É muito encorajador sentir o espirito de Deus presente em nosso meio.

Orem por nos.
conselheiras brasileiras

Today the first Brazilian camp starts. It's been amazing to learn with amazing and special people. Its so encouraging to feel Gods Spirit with us.

Pray for us,
Priscila and Thais
Brazilian counselors

Guarda-chuva! From Belo!

Hey y'all! Since I know most of you don't speak Portuguese I'll let you know that guarda-chuva means umbrella.

A little background on me, I was part of the fulltime staff at the Swamp this summer. So after being there all summer I left the last week a little early to hop on a plane (my first time!) and fly over here to Brasil!!! Also, Brasil is the Brazilian spelling of Brazil. Yolo swaggy. So after leaving a wonderful summer at the Swamp (shout out to you guys, I miss ya!) and coming to a foreign country for the first time and some crazy things happening, you could assume the first few days were a little emotional! But now we're at camp and I'm so excited! The campers arrive tomorrow and we've been planning and talking (in two languages) and setting up for camp. I can't wait to see what God will do here! I know He has amazing plans and I'm excited to see His love shown across two countries and two languages. But right now I'm goin to play some dodgeball! Deuces yall.

We bought a zoo

After a day of traveling and touring the city, we have finally arrived at the camp. We had a very interesting night sleep last night. Little did we know, we rented a zoo. Parrots, dogs, and roosters, oh my! And they all decided to give praise to the Lord most high... All night long. But it's totally fine because this place is absolutely BEAUTIFUL. We're off to a fun filled day of counselor training and brainstorming creative ways to communicate with the campers when they arrive tomorrow. So far, the language barrier hasn't been anything but awesome. Singing worship songs we all knew in our native languages together was incredible. But I'm certain we will need your prayers for the week of camp to come. Shout out to my family and friends reading this. Love you all!

- Ashlyn Bennett

Hello from Belo!

Ola. This morning we got the privilege to worship with the Belo Horizonte church. It was very moving to hear worship songs in another language. Although we didn't know exactly how to pronounce each word, we did our best to sing along. It was so incredible to be worshiping God in Portuguese. It definitely opened our eyes to see how big the world is. Just knowing that there are people all around the world worshiping God in different languages is truly mind blowing. Our host families have been fantastic! Language has been a new and interesting experience. Some of our Brazilian friends speak English, but many don't. Thank you mom and dad for making me take Spanish! (Chelsi says) We can kind of communicate better in our broken Spanish. It's been a fun experience.

Love from Chelsi, Julia, and Cassidy

Home away from home

We were supposed to meet at the church building at 3pm after lunch with our host families. My host family missed the memo and the bus left without us. So reily, Bailey and I had to go on a wild goose Chase with our family to catch up with the bus-what an adventure! We caught up with the group and took a picture with a bride who was taking pictures in the park, it was lovely. :)
We just took a tour of the camp here and HOLY COW it is beautiful! There is a dining hall, cabins, a pool, a chapel...we have everything we need for camp! I am so excited to start the week and bring camp to this country that is melting my heart! Here is a picture if the view of Belo Horizonte-it's so beautiful. God is good!

-halie

Arraia (ahaya) or Hoedown Night

Tonight we went to an annual party called an Arraia or country party. People dress up like country folk and dance and there are fair games for the children like go fish and ring the bottle.  We got to me some of the kids that will be at camp. It is tough with the language and yet we are meeting more and more people who speak enough English. The warmth and love of the people are comforting as it helps get through the language differences. Mostly we are connecting with the counselors and feeling very welcomed. Tomorrow we have church at 10am. I have the honor of speaking via a translator. Pray for me.  So grateful to be here!  Jeff

Ahhhh Brazilian Food and Fellowship!

Get off the plane, on to a bus and straight to an amazing restaurant, called Rancho Fundo. Plates and plates of salads, bowls and bowls of meats...even some whole animals like the pig and fish.  Wow! Yumola!  We are working hard to converse with each other; I think we are going to wear Samuel and Denise out translating. Ha ha. Very proud of the team pushing through the language barrier. Always good to start with great fellowship and a full stomach.  More later, Jeff

We're in Brazil!!!!

Oh wow!! I'm already amazed at how beautiful Brazil is. As we arrive we met some of our Brazilian friends and they're simply awesome. The bus ride to the restaurant was quite something too with being able to see the city. My mind is really blown.
Jordan Nabors

Waiting in anticipation

It's 10:02pm and we are anxiously waiting to board the plane and take off on our Brazilian adventure. I have absolutely no idea what to expect on this trip but I know that God is going to work in a way that I've never seen if experienced before. I think this trip is going to have to be lived out in a 1 john 3:18 fashion, by showing our love through actions since our words will be few.  I can't wait to set my feet on unknown soil and see our awesome God work miracles
-halie

Miami

We landed safe. Ready for the 8 hour flight. Everyone is chilling and eating. And taking melatonin.  Nick

Airport adventure you squirms

(This is a rap)
We're sitting at the airport in some comfy chairs
Shout out to all the people giving us funny stares
Our flight leaves in 30 minutes to the land of the unknown
We'll be far away so don't call us cuz we ain't got our phones
We can't wait to see all that God's gonna do
So be sending up some prayers for him to help us through
Down there they only speak Portuguese but that doesn't matter
We hope the food will be good and won't make us fatter
We're wrapping up this rap so we'll leave you with this riddle:
What's ten feet tall and looks like a skittle?
Answer: Brazil!
Deuces
Love jesse, ashlyn and halie :)

Great Expectations!

I am sitting here less than 48 hours from take off wondering how next week will go. Directing the final week of camp here in the States has not afforded much time to reflect on the Brazil trip. Nonetheless I am full of thoughts: nervous about the language difference, stretched knowing what kind of energy and selflessness it will take, full of great expectations of how God and our team will work to influence the Brazilian staff and campers, and excited about all that we will learn from these wonderful people and their culture. I believe we will be amazed at how love and service can be translated to any language and culture. Tomorrow I can rise confidently with great expectations because our God has gone before us and he is with us...for His glory.  I hope I can sleep the next two nights!!! Jeff