Asas Lately, and Teens

There's a lot to do this week so this post is going to be short, but I thought you might enjoy a peek around Asas.

I'm not sure if I've ever mentioned that Asas has a major "remodeling" project going on at the hangar. I put remodeling in quotes because the work done has been so major I think it might qualify as starting over! It's looking great though! Asas used to own 2 hangars, but sold 1 and is using the money to remodel the hangar and expand with 2 administrative buildings on the sides.

Here's a picture taken a few weeks ago to give you an idea of what the Asas Anapolis base looks like lately. In the middle you can see the structure of the hangar in process. On the left is Asas's building where everything that deals with flights/training in Anapolis takes place. (There is another administrative building down the road where accounting and other departments are) On the right you can see the building that our partner mission SIL (Wycliff in Brazil) is finishing building. It includes a small apartment upstairs for missionaries and guests that come though. We will work together in the hangar on their planes. While the hangar is still being worked on, the planes are being cared for in the hangar next door. Behind these buildings is the runway....in fact on the very left you can see a big glass room that you can sit in and watch the planes take off.

In just a bit we're heading out for a meeting with the leadership of our church to discuss planning our small group ministry for the teens. We have one more young woman that will work with us and are praying for another man. We're excited about the opportunity, though I have to confess I'm a bit nervous...it's been a while since we've worked with teens....I'm not sure if we're still cool enough for them! :)

Though we're not sure what to expect, we're excited for all that God has planned to do in and though us in this new opportunity.

Laundry in Brazil 101

To say that doing laundry in Brazil is more complicated than it is in the States would be a major understatement! The two big reasons that it is more complicated is that we don't have dryers or hot water. I am thankful, however, that we do have a washing machine! So, what does it look like to do laundry? Let me show you....



First of all, meet the "washing station". I made that name up, but since laundry is more complicated here you need the right set-up to make it work and most houses come ready for it. This is a picture of part of our back porch....where the "washing station" is. This is pretty different from the laundry rooms in the States for a few reasons. First, in our case it's not a room since its outside :) Second, since we don't have hot water there's a lot more scrubbing and soaking involved in the sink, so really the washer is only part of the process and station, rather than the main event. Some items (or on lazy weeks all items) are just put right in the washer and some that need deeper cleaning follow some or all of the next steps before going in the machine.

According to a Brazilian friend who is an expert washer (she even is hired by a family to wash clothes) the way to make the job easier is with buckets. Throughout the week you leave a bucket of soapy water out in the sun and add kitchen towels or any other item that gets yucky. The sun heats it up as it soaks and makes the job in the washer much more effective. Once I started following her advice I found that it really helps and I soak kitchen towels and rags in separate buckets.

Next, if there are any items (again like kitchen towels) that you really want to get bacteria free and extra nice and clean occasionally you boil them! Yes....I said boil them! I've only done this a few times and you would be amazed at how much dirty water pours off! It was quite shocking! Would anyone like to come over for a bowl of towel soup?

Next possible step: scrubbing

The sink at the washing station has a washboard all built in which is pretty handy. I always thought it would be neat to have a "washboard" but I was thinking about the abs kind, not the scrubbing your towels kind.

Next step....the washer....ahh finally the easy part! Since there's no hot water I have to run my American machine on the cold-cold cycle but it works well and is big. Many Brazilians have 2 separate machines instead of washer. The first is for swishing around the clothes. Then, you pull them out wet and put them in another machine to wring extra water out. I'm SO thankful mine does the 2 in 1!

Next, it's hanging time. This is actually a very convenient part about having your washer outside....your clothesline is right behind you! On dry days this goes very quickly, but during rainy season this is very tricky to find a moment of sun and then quick snatch the clothes off before the next downpour!

The last step is ironing since we don't have a dryer. It is really important to most Brazilian women that clothes be ironed very well ....including socks! This is where I draw the line at following Brazilian laundry technique. My preference? A few really strong shakes!

It's a Bird, It's a Plane, It's a Simulator!

Thank you for joining us today on a tour of our mission's simulator! I believe I have mentioned the simulator on the blog already, but I don't think I've ever posted any pictures. So, here we go!

From this view (if you can ignore the computer screen, the wall next to Jeyson, the fact that he isn't wearing a headset or seat belt, and if you only look REALLY quickly :), you might think that Jeyson was getting ready to take off on a runway....

But when you take a step back, it is easy to get the true story. This simulator is where Jeyson has spent quite a bit of time training in for his Instrument Flight Rating over the past few months.

Steve, the instructor, sits at his computer and controls scenarios that Jeyson has to fly on the computer screen in the simulator.

As you can see, the computer is only allowing him to see the instrument panel of the plane, rather than see what he would see out the window. This is exactly the point....for him to train flying relying only on instruments to be prepared for situations where he might fly in bad weather. Usually, Jeyson will practice a skill/new lesson first in the simulator and then in the actual plane using the hood (that you have seen before) to block him from seeing out the window. While flying in the simulator might seem easier, Jeyson says it is just as difficult, or even more difficult since the computer records your every movement. The hours in the simulator are easier in one way though....on our flight fund! They only cost $5/hour rather than $110/hour like the real planes.

Too bad it is not possible to do all of his training and our mission' work virtually! However, virtual flying wouldn't do much to help bring REAL support....

and the REAL Gospel......

to REAL people.....

.....living in REAL isolated places!

Keep up the great work, Jeyson! You're making REAL progress!

Food Swap

What happens in Brazil when you give someone food in one of your dishes or Tupperware containers??? Well, rarely do you get it back......
........Rarely do you get it back EMPTY, that is! One really neat tradition here in Brazil is that every time you give someone food on a plate or bowl of yours, they return it full with food from their home.

Like many cultural differences, I discovered this after a little trial and error when I first got here. I gave a friend a plate full of goodies, and after a long time the plate still hadn't found its way back to our home. One day I asked her about it and she said she hadn't been able to return it yet. I was VERY confused since we see each other a lot. She then explained that she hadn't returned it since she hadn't had time to bake anything to put in it! Ohhhh....I got it!

Since then, I've learned to just wait it out....the container is on it's way....and likely with something even more tasty on it than it had last time I saw it. Above is the container I sent home with my friend/student Angelina one day. I had filled it with cookies and it came back brimming with a delicious chicken/veggie sauce served over polenta. I plan to make another batch of cookies for her ASAP! :)

Wrapping Up Christmas

We had wonderful Christmas and New Years - here's some pictures of the fun!

As I mentioned, I got bit by the cookie bug this year and I couldn't stop baking! I made 8 different kinds of cookies! Do you remember my dilemma about what to put instead of a Hershey's kiss in the peanut butter ones? I saw the perfect solution at a little store....chocolate soccer balls!Once I opened the wrappers and cut them in half, they almost looked like kisses!! Living in another country really forces you to get original sometimes!
We used the cookies as a way to make new contacts in our neighborhood and as a way to show our care for others in our lives. Everyone, from the barber to the construction workers building down the street, got cookies and a visit! It is amazing how open and receptive people were....and how touched they were too. Many people invited us in to visit and asked us to return. When we were done there were still tons left, so we brought them to Jeyson's mom to give to her neighbors too! And of course we ate two or three (ahem....dozen :) cookies ourselves too!

On December 23rd, we had a little Christmas for just the two of us before traveling to Jeyson's family's house the next day. Unfortunately the picture is pretty bad since we had to dive onto the couch after setting the timer, but we had a great time!

We spent Thursday through Saturday with the Braun's....actually lots of Brauns that came in from other state as well. I have to laugh though at the fact that I look more Brazilian than most of the Brazilians in the picture! Jeyson's relatives are Brazilian but are of German decent and still speak German with each other.

Over the weekend we drank tons of mate - a communal Brazilian tea drink

We told jokes, ate way too much, cleaned up the dishes and ate again! It was tons of fun!

It was especially fun to spend with Jeyson's family that I've met before but have never been able to speak to because of my Portuguese! So now we really got to know each other better.

These relatives live on a giant farm that grows beans, soy, and popping corn. They brought us huge bags of each and taught us a terrific recipe for sweet popcorn. You boil sugar, milk, and cream until it thickens up

to make a very fluffy but sweet popcorn.

Growing up, the Ciotta family always got a special ornament each year to represent something special that marked that year. Then, each year as we decorated the tree we'd remember all the past year and what went on. Jeyson and I have done that so far and here's what we have:

2007 - An ornament that we gave out as favors at our wedding.

2008 - This was given to us for a wedding gift and we put a picture from our ministry brochure in the frame. This represents our first year in ministry together.2009 - This year it was really tough to find a special ornament because the options here in Brazil are extremely limited. We wanted something to represent our first home, so my sweet (and talented) sister-in-law, Lika, made this adorable ornament for us. It was SO special not only to carry on our tradition but to have something homemade!

Well, as one of the Braun uncles put it so well - it's time for the "second joy" of Christmas. The first joy is when you unpack your boxes of decorations and spruce up your house, you start baking, and family arrives. The second joy is when everyone says goodbye, you put away the decorations, and rid your fridge of junk food, and return to your routine :) So cute....and true, huh? Goodbye 2009 - you were wonderful, Welcome 2010 - with all of your joys and challenges ahead!

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We invite you to partner with us as we serve God together. By joining our team, you will help bring the Gospel to otherwise unreachable villages in Brazil.



We are actively building a support team that would commit to partnering with us consistently so we can serve in Brazil over the long term.
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  PO Box 291307
  Kerville, TX 78029-1307

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Thank you so much for your partnership in ministry!

About Our Ministry

Our Organization

Asas de Socorro ("Wings of Mercy") is the Brazilian daughter organization of Mission Aviation Fellowship. The organization has four bases in the Amazon region of Brazil and one in central Brazil.
Asas de Socorro has three main goals:
- to bring help and supplies to missionaries and isolated people groups
- to organize and lead medical, dental, and evangelistic trips to bring the Gospel message and meet physical needs
- Ministering to the surrounding community using each missionary's unique interests and skills

The Need

For Mission Aviation: Northern Brazil is covered by dense Amazon rainforest where many people live in tribal and village settings. These people and the missionaries who serve among them live in remote areas that are impossible to reach by car. The only feasible ways to bring in medical help, supplies, and the Gospel are by boat or small airplane. However, a trip that would take only 30 minutes by plane could take days or weeks by boat, making mission aviation a critical ministry for reaching remote areas that would be otherwise unreachable.

For TESOL (Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages)

English is in demand worldwide, and in areas like Brazil, learning English is the key to the door of opportunity in life. Brazilians are anxious to learn the language, so neighborhood English classes are a wonderful tool for not only meeting the people's need, but also for building relationships for evangelism and discipleship.

For the Gospel

While Brazil is a country open to the Gospel, it is also a land of witchcraft and animistic practices opposed to Christianity. Most Brazilians believe in God, yet do not understand the heart of the Gospel message and instead practice a religion of works and confused beliefs.

For Discipleship

Many Brazilians have come into a saving relationship with Christ, yet lack deepening in their knowledge and life of faith. We have met Brazilians who have been Christians for years but lack even the most basic Bible knowledge. It is critical for these Christians to learn how to understand Scripture and walk as disciples.
Jeyson's RoleJeyson is serving as a mechanic on the Asas de Socorro airplanes

and will also serve as a pilot with the organization. We will be located at the base in central Brazil while Jeyson gains enough experience and credentials to fly in the difficult Amazon region. Jeyson also participates in evangelistic trips, is involved with neighborhood outreach, and leads small group ministries.
Stephanie's Role

Stephanie teaches English in several settings throughout the community. This ministry allows her to meet local needs and build relationships with students for evangelism and discipleship. Stephanie also participates in evangelism through Asas de Socorro, helps with the administration of the organization, and teaches and disciples women in the community.

About Us

Stephanie Braun

Stephanie grew up as part of a large family in Bridgewater, New Jersey. From early childhood Stephanie remembers hearing stories from missionaries and feeling a burden on her heart for people from Latin America.
Even before junior high, Stephanie began to pray that God would open the door for her to be able to serve Him overseas. After two short trips to Guatemala, Stephanie became increasingly certain that God was directing her to minister to Latin American people in some way. She enrolled in college to study Teaching English as a Second Language so she could use it as a tool to build relationships and minister to these people.

Faith:

As a result of growing up in a Christian home and being exposed to the Gospel, from an early age Stephanie understood her need for Jesus Christ as her personal savior. Though early on she went through a period of questioning what she believed, through discipleship during high school Stephanie developed a deep certainty in her faith and began to grow and mature in Christ. Stephanie recognized that God was leading her in the direction of serving Him as a full time missionary and through her time at Moody Bible Institute God continued to prepare her mind and heart for service.

Education:

Stephanie attended Moody Bible Institute in Chicago and graduated in 2007 with majors in Bible and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, a useful tool for building relationships in ministry.

Interests:

Stephanie enjoys cooking, reading, traveling, and walking through busy Brazilian markets. She also loves languages and is very excited about continuing to learn Portuguese for life in Brazil. As a result of the importance of discipleship in her own life, Stephanie is passionate about discipling and being involved with ministry to women.

Jeyson Marcelo Braun

Jeyson has experienced life on the mission field for as long as he can remember. Before he was born, Jeyson's parents left their home in Brazil to become missionaries in Quito, Ecuador, where Jeyson as born and raised.
Jeyson's childhood included a variety of extraordinary experiences - from having a pet monkey to mountain climbing in the Andes. Most significantly , it was during these early years that Jeyson first began to develop his passion for mission aviation ministry.

Faith:

Growing up in a Christian home, Jeyson recognized his need for Jesus Christ as his personal savior and gave his life to God at an early age. After several years in high school spent living for himself, Jeyson rededicated himself to serving the Lord, grew in his faith, and began to prepare to serve as a full-time missionary.

Education:

Jeyson attended Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, where he majored in Bible and International Ministries. He earned his degree in 2005.

Interests:

Jeyson enjoys biking, camping, mountain climbing, and exploring new places. He loves mechanics and fixing just about anything he can get his hands on. He also loves reading...and of course, aviation. Jeyson is passionate about sharing the gospel, especially with the very poor.

Jeyson and Stephanie were married in 2007. In 2008 they moved to Brazil to begin their first term missionary together as a married couple.