On the 18th of July a group of 11 youth and adults arrived in Vitoria from the USA and spent 2 weeks in Brazil for a cultural exchange program. They were from the First Presbyterian Church of Tuscaloosa (PCUSA) which is in partnership with the IPU. The group worked painting 3 churches and getting to know the people of the IPU. The two weeks were very nice. The groups worked during the morning and the afternoon painting the IPU of Camp Grande in Cariacica, and their work was recognized and greatly appreciated by the congregation and friends of the church . On Saturday they went to IPU in Maruipe and painted several rooms alongside people from the church and other churches in the Presbytery.
On Sunday the group participated in Sunday school at Parque Gramado and that night they participated in worship wit the church at Maruipe where Rev. Nick Reed, the Youth Pastor in Tuscaloosa gave the sermon with translation by Elder Euzi Moraes,, in which he expressed the importance of remembering our history and listening to the history of others. The music during worship was in both English and Portuguese.
Various cultural activities happened, and the group experienced BBQs, typical parties and visits to famous places in the region. Friendships were developed during the activities and at night during times of conversation. During the farewell worship at First IPU group expressed their gratitude for the work that they did and the friendships developed. Julie Ray, from the group in Tuscaloosa, began to cry as she spoke about the car e that the elders showed them. Nick Reed preached once again with translation by Moderator Anita Wright Torres, giving thanks for the spiritual lesson s they learned with their Brazilian brothers and sisters.
When they left they went to Rio de Janeiro to pass time in the “Marvelous City” before leaving for the United States so they could experience the natural beauty of Vitoria and Rio.
We want to say thank you to everyone in the Presbytery of Vitoria who received friends from Tuscaloosa with tender care and who worked together with them. We also want to thank the group of Americans who responded to our invitation: Adam and Ashley, Dr. Daniel (Danny) Potts and his daughter Julie, Rev. Nick Reed, Lois Palecek, Amanda Fowler, Scott Giles, Martha Grace Mize and Chris Cline.
Thank you,
Daniel and Thelma Goodrum
Missionaries of the PCUSA
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