The greatest week In Brasil..

So yesterday a big group of people from my DTS went into Recife to go to the beach. we left around 10:30 and walked down to the metro station and rode for about a half hour. it was awesome being able to see so much of Brasil all in one ride. you wouldn't believe how green it is here! Its like jungle with millions of shacks piled on every inch of the landscape. we got into Recife and took a bus down to a place called Bon Voyage beach(i dont know if thats how you spell it, my apologies.) The water was so blue and warm though extremely salty. We layed out, played in the water, ate tons of weird but great food, and went shopping. the Vendors here walk up and down the beach selling stuff so they bring all their items to you as you lay out. Evangeline, my roommate from Canada B.C, and i walked up and down the coast taking pictures of everything. i wish i could just explain how beautiful it is here but i find it impossible to put into words. i took tons of pictures but the internet isn't great here so i am having difficulty uploading them. we came back to the base around 4:30 and hung around till dinner. I am so sunburn its quite ridiculous, but hopefully it will turn into a tan soon so i can keep up with my bronzed Brazilian amigos. :)
this week was slightly difficult in class. on Tuesday i really left down and that i just wanted to go home and forget it. we were learning about the plumb line, which is basically a teaching about how past experience have made you a certain way causing bricks to build up in your life that bring you further away from God. we did many exercises this week to have God take hold of those situations, have the Holy Spirit make past situation present in our minds, and face those issues head on to seek forgiveness and strength to forgive. The Holy Spirit brought about some tough issuse that on Tuesday i was not ready to face. i rejected feeling any emotion towards them but anger, but as the week progressed God blessed me with the strength to brake those bricks down. We had a day of fasting, administration, and prayer on Thursday where we faced everything with our small group leaders and prayed over everything the Holy Spirit presented to us. This might sound ridiculous but i left that room feeling utterly clean and pure. In that room i felt that i had left every ounce of pain and anger that i had been holding. I felt and still feel that my heart is truly free and open to receive all of God now.

God is so great you guys. i don't know how many times i can say that. i feel unworthy of being here and having the experience i am having.

i love you all and miss you.
With Lots of Love,
Aisling