James Wilby is well known to people in Norfolk through his career as a weather forecaster and broadcaster. He left a wintry Norfolk in March for the sunshine of Brazil, to lead a team of British Christians in a project to work alongside Latin American Christians in both practical and church related work. The project is part of Latin Link, a Christian charity that sends missionaries out to Latin American countries on short term 'step' teams, to longer individual placements. Now you can read James' diary as he works from Brazil: May 06 So much has happened in the last month. Let me quickly bring you up-to-date. We have finished work in Belo Horizonte, had a holiday in Rio de Janiero and I have been at our new project in Goiania for a week. We finished well in Belo Horizonte, having formed some great friendships with the staff at the creche and our supervisors, Ruth and Isaais. It was quite an emotional end to seven weeks. It's amazing that in the Christian family it doesn't matter where you are in the world you will find people that can so easily relate to and encourage because of the shared faith in God that stretches divides and brings unity. In such a short time, relationships were developed that were hard to leave behind.
 | | The beaches of Ilhe Grande |
The building wasn't quite finished when we left although we are confident that the Brazilian builders who worked alongside us will complete it soon. Towards the end we knew that it wouldn't be complete but it didn't matter because our work is a service to God - and if we had worked whole heartedly then we have achieved what we set out to do. We did manage to complete the painting in the creche - my favourite room being the one painted with the Noahs ark theme! Team holiday The last week in Belo was busy with plans being finalised for the team holiday. This was one of the most challenging times for me and Beth as leaders. Not least because I heard the sad news that my gran had died. It was difficult for me being so far from home and being unable to do much for my family other than pray. In terms of organising the holiday we were learning a valuable lesson in dependency on God and coming to Him to ask for direction rather than asking Him to bless our plans! As most Christians will identify this often means waiting until the last minute for details to be finalised - something about trust maybe! So, with my eyes heavy from hard good byes and lessons learnt we took the bus to Rio. An amazing place where we managed to squeeze in the must sees of the statue of Christ, Sugar Loaf mountain and Ipanima beach. I also did a sky dive off a mountain - an amazing experience with views over the city and sea.
 | | METHA project in Goiania |
After three days in Rio we spent five days on Ilhe Grande, an island not far from Rio with no proper roads or cars. The island is home to some of the best beaches in Brazil. Unforunately the weather wasn't all that, with the paradise beaches spoilt a little by English style weather. Valuable lessons It was a good time to relax ahead of the next project. I learnt some more valuable lessons and the need to come to God even when resting and relaxing. In the Bible it talks about the battle for Christians not being in the world (physical) but in the spiritual realm - so I learnt the importance of praying and asking God for protection. I felt God speak to me about how easy it is for sin to ruin our appreciation of the good things around us. Even on a paradise island I realised it was possible to miss what was around me unless I came to God - and then I could really appreciate it. New project So, we made the next step of our journey turning our attention to centre of this huge country, a place called Goiania (nearish Brasilia). As we flew in, it seemed like another world, flat with lots of green vegetation and red soil. The project couldn't be more different than in Belo with us being based on a farm at the end of dirt track. The Christian project called METHA - is a project ministering to drug and alcohol addicts. We will be building a meeting room from scratch but unlike Belo we won't be needing to demolish an existing building. The staff are amazing - living completely by faith for their existence. Some of the staff gave up well paid jobs to join the team. Everything is prayed for and provided - including the food. This is a challenge for us with our English money and plans. I sensed on the first night that God had big things in store for us here and I am excited as to how he will use me and the team over the next few weeks. Well, that's about all from me for now - more soon I hope. Love from Brazil! | 
