Countdown

well we are reaching the final hours before our departure, packing up until the last minute, of course, would you expect any less from me? And while trying to get stuff together yesterday, klutzy here broke her toe. Seems better today, could get a shoe on, so that won't stop me from forging ahead. The shuttle will be here to pick us up by noon and we're off for a 24 hr trip , due to arrive at our destination on Sat. afternoon. Fr. Joe will be meeting us at the airport. After much discussion and thought, Jamie and I have decided to leave her computer at home. Where we are staying, we will be safe, but I can't say her computer will be and we certainly don't want to catch anyone's attention with it either. We have been assured that we can use the computers at the center, just need to change the language from Portugese to English, so we'll see how our blog turns out. If perhaps by some unfortunate circumstance you no longer hear from us, it is because we haven't been able to make contact through their computers there, but we reassure you that we will journal the old fashion way and then enter our posts on our return. Stay tuned....and hoping we can reach out when we get there. Wish us luck..... and blessings...
sue

The Joys of Packing...

Greetings!
  Congratulations to Sue for a successful first post on the blog!


As many of you know, out-of-country travel can be stressful. The part I seem to find most overwhelming (besides getting to the airport on time) is packing.  I laid out everything I need to bring on my bed this evening:

This is JUST clothing and toiletries! Perhaps you more travel savvy individuals think I'm packing too much, but only my suitcase will tell.  Lucky travelers to Brazil can bring two checked bags and a carry-on.  Can you see my passport? Ha! I've been reminding myself to pack it all day...that would be the ONE thing I really wouldn't want to forget. That and our music, of course.


Went to St. Leo's today to make final copies of everything I'd like to sing with the people in Remanso.  I tried to organize my binder so everything is easily accessible. 

LOOK! I even tried to color-code everything for myself so I don't get confused come rehearsals. We have a LOT of music to share, but I always seem to have more songs for one group than another.  I think I'm headed back to church again Thursday/Friday to copy more music and even things out.  


That's all for now. Trying to get organized and collect/ buy any possible thing we may need for this journey.   I am definitely excited it's almost here!




Love,
 Jamie 

I'm Blogging!

Can you believe it? The technologically impaired is blogging!!! but I learned for a good cause - to share with you our adventures in Brazil. We are really excited and can't believe this is finally happening. Last minute preparations are in order as well as the nervous travel jitters. Pray for a safe arrival.
Fr. Joe plans to meet us at the airport in Petrolina when we arrive on Sat.and will drive us to Remanso where we will be staying.
Jamie has been working hard planning for our sessions with the kids. We know that you can plan for everything, but can expect anything when it comes to children, so we will just go with the flow.
Jamie mentioned earlier that some of you have expressed interest in helping our cause and has provided a link to Paypal. If you are as technologically challenged as I and prefer not to get involved with Pay pal, you can also send a donation direct to: St. Charles Brazilian Children-Arts Program, 238 Jewett Ave.,Bridgeport, CT 06606. Please make sure you mention the Arts Program.
THANK YOU to everyone for your support of this project, including all those I leaned on for advice and techy support- we couldn't have done it without you!
See you in BRAZIL!
sue

Getting Ready

Hello!

I have received more correspondence from Ana, our translator, in Brazil and we now know the following:

• Sue and I will be seeing 4 groups a day. Ages range from 8yrs-Adults!
• The road from our final airport destination to Remanso has been paved! Yay progress! (so all you worry-warts can relax a bit...  ;)

This is a map of where we'll be going!! (ok, I knew this before this week, but it's the first time I figured out how to actually imbed a map into the blog. =)

View Larger Map


I've been running to Walmart mulptiple times to buy necessities for the trip. I keep forgetting we're leaving a week from Friday!  I am definitely getting excited.

Special thanks to Densie for letting me wander through the music library at church to find more materials for the trip.  I am really excited to plan our sessions. The music is uplifting and fun all at the same time. Very excited to teach everyone this music!

That's all for now! Until next time!

Love,
 Jamie

Your Interest has been SO great!

  Sue and I have been getting a LOT of interest in our upcoming trip. THANK YOU for that!  A lot of friends have asked how they can help. Unfortunately, we can't take a lot down with us to Brazil.  I may be able to post a supply list later in June, so be on the look-out!


In the meantime. If you are at all inclined we have set up a way for you to easily and securely donate money to our trip and support the mission.  $1, $20, whatever you feel comfortable with. And if you just want to wish us well on the blog and keep us in your prayers, we thank you so much for that, too.




Love, Jamie

Visa..getting you where you want to be

Took time to head into the City on Tuesday and was able to pick up my passport! I was worried the Brazilian Consulate would give me a hard time because I didn't pick it up on the 7th of June (my scheduled date), but there was no problem at all. The only issue was waiting. I arrived at the Consulate at 2:00pm, hoping  they would be open and I could get in and out quickly.  However, there was already a line waiting outside the door and they wouldn't be open for another half hour! I should've taken the "Pickup between 2:30 and 4:30PM" literally.  Ha!

Well, that's out of the way now and I am now trying to think of more music and activities to take down to the kids.   Got a suggestion from a friend from my summer theatre days; Taize. Totally makes sense! For those that may not know:

Taize is a prayer community orignating in France. They are well known all over the world for their unique services and beautiful chant. I attended a few Taize services a while back and it was pretty awesome; very calming!  Have to look into what it can offer the kids in Remanso.

Love,
 Jamie

One Lord

Hello!

  I went to an AMAZING concert on Friday night to see David Haas and Lori True perform. Yes, THAT David Haas. My friend MK and I were participants in the annual Music Ministry Alive (MMA) program out in Minnesota for a few years and we had the time of our lives! It was such an amazing experience both musically and spiritually. Heading to that concert with her and Denise &co. this weekend was such a great way to reminisce. It was also a wonderful way to remember what music ministry is really about.  Sure, great music is important, but the ability to bring people closer to God through song is something even more extraordinary.  Should I say it's a 'talent'? Not sure, but it certainly is a calling. One that is very special indeed. 

 I also remembered and discovered a few more songs to bring  to the kids in Remanso  (pronounced [emansu]). Very excited about that! I haven't compiled a complete song list yet, but you'll hopefully get to hear a few things from the kids once we 1. Get down there and 2. figure out what kind of internet connection we have. 

Getting even more excited now!!

Love, Jamie

Blast from the past..MMA 04.  The girl on the left raising her hand? Yep. That's me!