Gazing over the edge looking at Iguazu Falls from thousands of feet above brought a flood of emotions to my mind. This was our last full day in Brazil and I was already feeling emotional, but something about this moment made me realize just how impactful this trip has been to me. As the water rushed over the rocks and tumbled down the cliffs, I was overwhelmed with a feeling of God’s abundance on this trip. Before coming to Brazil, I had very few expectations, but I knew I needed a change in scenery. After a difficult semester and many highs and lows, I was burnt out in more ways than one. Even though I knew it would be an amazing three weeks of activities and cultural experiences, I wasn’t sure how I would be able to enjoy it all with how drained I was. Also, three weeks is a long time to spend everyday with people you don’t know very well, so I was hesitant to get excited. Little did I know how close we would become in the following days. Between snapping photos of each other sleeping, going on random side quests to get açaí, and making jokes with our limited Portuguese, our group and our new Brazilian friends slowly became like family. We teased each other endlessly and supported one another when we were going through difficult moments.

We shared everything, even our sicknesses. Through drama and stressful situations, our group held each other accountable for their behavior. It was through the relationships I built with these people that God filled my heart over and above my wildest expectations. Like the crashing gallons of water at the falls, my heart is brimming over with joy after our time in Brazil. I know I will carry these memories and friendships beyond Brazil, and I’m excited to share the fruit of this time with others in my life. If you would’ve told me a month ago that on our last night together, our group would be sitting around a pool, laughing uncontrollably at our professor roasting us during paper plate awards, I wouldn’t have believed you. However, I couldn’t think of a better way to end the best trip with some of my new favorite people. “Parabens!”

After we explored the viewpoints of the Falls, we had a boat ride that was scheduled where we would get really close to the falls. I was not sure what to expect, but I just went along for the ride, and it was really fun. On the way to the boats, we got to do a mini jungle cruise alongside a small hike, which was really cool. My friends and I decided to go to the front of the boat when we finally arrived at the docks, and we were given Dr. McPherson’s GoPro for the ride. I was handed the responsibility of holding the camera during the ride. I wasn’t sure about this as I didn’t want to be responsible for the camera, but it was really fun to film the ride, and I was glad that I was given that responsibility. The ride itself was really fun as we got amazing views of the falls, and then the driver actually drove us under the falls, getting us soaked! It was a part of the ride, and I wasn’t informed ahead of time, so it was a really funny surprise when it happened. I was really glad that we got to do such a cool tour, even though I got soaked.

After the day at the falls, we headed back to the hotel, and a group of friends and I went to find dinner. We saw this cool asian food place and we decided to go there. However, I couldn’t eat anything at the restaurant, and after everyone else had eaten, a smaller group went to find me food. This led us to an Italian restaurant that had gluten-free pasta. The food was really good, and we got to talk for a while with just me and my roommate and Hayden, and Jamie, which was good because we didn’t get to hang out as much in Sao Paulo due to their host parents living so far away. Once we got back to the hotel, there was a big get-together, and we all went into one room and watched The Lorax, which was really fun. Throughout this day, many things happened, and I enjoyed them because I sat back and went with the flow and let things happen the way they were going to happen.

Something incredible and unique about the human experience is that our relationships and interactions with those around us define our lives. Humans thrive especially on communication and connection, and relationships with other people fundamentally shape and change our being. As my trip to Brazil winds to a close, I’ve been taking some time to reflect on the relationships cultivated throughout my time here.

This morning, we visited Locomotiva, which is a community music program that serves vulnerable youth in the Santo Andre area, providing several hours of music lessons before or after school hours. This Christian program serves over 300 local children, and some of their students go on to serve in top orchestras abroad. Something that really stood out to me about this program is how heavily the teachers and students value learning in group settings. Most of their classes occur in a group with their peers of the same instruments or in orchestras, where they learn to play music together as one cohesive unit. These teachers and their students represent what it means to develop relationships and the impact they have on each person involved.

The connections among the students and professors provide opportunities for community improvement and increase opportunities for youth in the program. The Locomotiva program provides an avenue for these children to form relationships that change their lives. The relationships I formed while visiting Locomotiva helped reinforce my thoughts regarding the universal nature of music.

After we visited Locomotiva, we enjoyed a delicious lunch at a Brazilian Barbecue restaurant and headed to the ETAPA high school for our closing session. There, we presented on various things we had learned during our trip and watched a video with messages from our host families and buddies. During this moment, through the collective sniffles and tears, I realized the true impact this experience had on me. The same revelation dawned on me that I had experienced at Locomotiva. While the experiences and places we visited had an impact on me, it’s truly the people with whom I formed relationships that have changed me the most. Before this trip, I had only spoken a few words to many of my classmates. I had only exchanged a few words over text with the buddies. But coming out the other side of this trip, I have newfound friendships with each and every person in this group. I have gotten to know each of them personally, and learn what makes all of them special and important to the world.

The new relationships I formed with those around me taught me things about myself too. I learned that you can never truly know someone until you spend time with them. I learned that everyone has an innate desire to find friendship and community. I learned that we all have a deep love and care for someone or something in our lives, even if someone appears to live completely carefree. While seeing Brazil opened my eyes to new cultures and experiences, it was the people around me who truly taught me the most and opened my eyes to new realizations. I now understand that it’s not necessarily the moments that change you, but the people in those moments. Experiences don’t change people, people change people.

We spent time learning about the organization, and then had the opportunity to sit in on a group of young string players that included, violines, violas, cello, and bass players. The students played a song that they had been working on for us, which was “twinkle, twinkle, little star”, and they also each had a book of songs that they were learning. Afterwards we had the chance to interact with the students and get to know them. I met a group of young girls who played violin, and they taught me how to play “twinkle, twinkle, little star”. The students barely knew English, and I barely knew Portuguese, however we were still able to communicate and get to know each other very well in the short time we spent together. Despite the language barrier, they were able to teach me how to play a song on violin, and discuss our favorite music artists, movies, and compliment each other. The girls were so sweet and I was able to build a friendship with these girls, and exchange social media to stay connected with them in such a short time. We then visited the place where the organization makes their own violins for beginner students to use and help families save money and still give their children a chance to engage musically.

Afterwards, we took a trip to a real Brazilian steakhouse, where we were served with numerous kinds of meat, and a full buffet of authentic Brazilian food. It was a great way to spend our last lunch together in Sao Paulo with great tasting food and great community. Then to end the day, we headed back to the school to present our final presentations on different Brazilian cultural topics we had experienced so far on the trip. My group presented our research, experience, and reflection of the Atlantic Rainforest. The other groups presented on topics like day to day life, brazilian food, religion, capoeira, and music and dance. It was a great way to reflect on everything we had learned and experienced while in Sao Paulo, and see how far we have come together as a group. Lastly, we watched a video created by our Brazilian classmates and host families sharing how much of a blessing it has been for them to host and build relationships with us. Let’s just say a few tears were shed, and it finally hit that the time had come to say goodbye to the people we had spent the last fifteen days with. Throughout this entire day, and this trip, I have learned the importance of good community and people around you. Every person I met in Brazil welcomed me with open arms and kindness. The people were not only interested in surface level information, but wanting to get to know everything about me and my life on a deeper level. This made saying goodbye to all the amazing friendships, and my host family, now my second family, so incredibly hard. I can say that I have left a piece of my heart in Brazil. 

But that’s also what makes travel uniquely challenging because when we step away from home, we leave those sacred spaces behind. The places that ground us are no longer just a few steps away. And yet, in that space of unfamiliarity, we open ourselves to finding sacredness in places we never expected.

Today is Sunday. Back home, my Sundays are familiar; coffee with my family, worship with friends, church that feels like a second home. That rhythm has become one of my most treasured sacred spaces. But here in Brazil, the day unfolded differently.

Our host parents weren’t home in the morning, so we had a quiet start, sleeping in and reading our Bibles. The stillness felt different, but it was meaningful. When our host dad returned around 1:00, we went out for lunch. We took time to catch up, share stories, and reflect on the days that had already gone by. Afterward, he took us to his favorite popsicle place, just a simple joy, but somehow, it felt like another sacred moment tucked inside the day.

That evening, we went to church with our entire group.

I’ve been to church in other countries before, but it never ceases to move me. There’s something so powerful about worshiping in a room full of people whose language I may not speak, but whose God I know. The songs may sound different. The prayers may be said in another language. But the Spirit is the same.

There, in a small church thousands of miles from home, I was reminded, that sacred spaces aren’t always about location. Sometimes they’re simply where God meets us, in community, in worship, in shared joy. Though we come from different countries and backgrounds, and even though our daily lives look nothing alike, we are united in the sacred space of God’s presence.

And maybe that’s the most beautiful part.

Even though we each carry our own sacred spaces from home, we are part of something much bigger. Sacred spaces can be found in quiet mornings and loud worship, in stillness and song, in popsicles and prayer. Because wherever God is, there is holy ground.

Today was one of those days that leaves a real mark on your heart. While traveling through Brazil, our group attended a local Brazilian church in Santo Andre. I could tell from the moment I entered the church that it was a vibrant, passionate, and Spirit-filled community that welcomed me like family.

The worship was full of life, sung in Portuguese with hands raised high and hearts wide open. They were quite the passionate crowd, dancing and simply getting excited to worship God. Though I didn’t understand every word, I felt every beat, and that still meant something to me. There was something moving about worshiping with people whose culture and language are so different from mine, yet whose love for God was unmistakably the same.

What made this day unforgettable was the opportunity I was given to come on stage and briefly speak to the congregation. Never did I think that during my Brazil travels I would be addressing a Portuguese speaking congregation, yet here I was doing just that. I was a bit nervous at first, having to use a translator to interpret the things I was saying to the congregation. It took me a little bit to figure out how to speak alongside the translator, but I figured it out. I was slightly nervous at first, but the words began to come naturally as I knew they were real.

I shared how God has been showing me the beauty and necessity of experiencing Him through community. In Brazil, I’ve seen how faith isn’t just personal- it’s shared. It’s in the smiles of strangers, the hugs of new friends, and the collective cry of worship that fills the air. There’s something sacred about gathering, laughing, praying, and growing alongside others. It’s a reminder that we were never meant to walk this crazy journey of life alone.

That moment on stage wasn’t about giving a message-  it was about honoring what I’ve received. This church, these people, have reminded me that God moves through relationships, through shared meals, through unspoken connections that transcend any language barrier.

As the service ended, I left feeling filled- not just spiritually, but emotionally. It was a much needed service for me. I came to Brazil with expectations of beauty and adventure, but I’ve found something deeper: a community that reflects the heart of God. And for that, I’m incredibly grateful.

Nothin about this barbecue was forced and I loved it. You ate when you wanted we did what we wanted and it was relaxing to just be present in all the activities. Their were points where I did start to get tired because I am still trying to get rid of the sickness that everyone had but I never really felt bad that I wasn’t doing anything because most people were just doing what they wanted. Everyone wasn’t doing the same thing, where some people would have been dragged into it if they didn’t feel like doing it. If I wanted to sit on the couch and just listen to all of them play music then it was fine because everyone was having a good time and as long as their were not issues then we were all good. As the night progressed all of the American kids started to get tired because for the past couple weeks we have been going, going, going, and we all needed a breather. We were sad about the trip coming to an end but we still enjoyed the moment in relaxation. It was at this point that we were all a little bored so we decided to play monopoly where everything was in Portuguese. Honestly, it was kinda fun not knowing what was going to happen next. When we landed on a space we had one of the host sisters, who was playing with us, translate what the square said. We all had a good time, then one of the host dads had gone out to get ice cream for us so at around 8 or 8:30 we were playing monopoly and eating ice cream. The night was so calm and peaceful. Our host families got along great, the American kids got along great and overall we all had a great time!

Growing up, hiking wasn’t an activity I particularly enjoyed. Going into today, I wanted to make sure that my mindset was refreshed to fully embrace the experience. It was a great, sunny day for hiking, and I wanted to enjoy every part of it.

On our way up to the top, the hike proved to be both physically and mentally challenging. It was a constant uphill walk to the top, which was physically demanding, so our group took breaks to pace ourselves. It was also mentally demanding because none of us had ever been to this park before, let alone the Atlantic Rainforest, and we were uncertain how long it would take us to reach the top. Throughout the hike, I found myself repeating in my mind, “enjoy the journey”, “enjoy the journey”. To enjoy the challenge, to remember that we would eventually reach the top, and to enjoy the moment and the people around me.

When we reached the top after an hour of walking, it was finally time to see the view we had all been anxiously awaiting. The view was definitely not a let-down, and was absolutely breathtaking. It was amazing to see the beautiful city of São Paulo from an aerial perspective. It was so worth it to be able to stand in awe of the city that we have been living in for the past two weeks. It really did not compare to anything any of us have ever experienced before.

The descent was considerably easier than the way up, allowing us to reflect on all we had just witnessed. Today was a great day of enjoying the journey with the people around me, supporting each other, and making memories. 

My host family situation is a little unique, but in the very best way. They are the most beautiful, faithful, and kind people in the world, and I love every second with them. What’s unique, though, is that they live about an hour from the college that we attend during our time in Brazil. So, three other students and I commute to school for this hour daily. I must admit that the first time I made this commute, I felt discouraged by so much time in the car with people whom I was not entirely familiar with. However, these commutes have actually forced me to slow down and take time to rest- whether that be sleeping, listening to music, or talking to my classmates (or, now, my friends!). I’m thankful for this time in the car- and I’m glad I am, because today was a particularly travel-heavy day. 

We commuted to school and spent the entire hour reading these goofy discussion questions that I had packed in case I needed to start a good conversation. Once we arrived at school, we hopped in a big van to head to the rainforest. Everybody was so excited, and we didn’t quite know what to expect. We spent the next 45 minutes doing MORE discussion questions, but also coming up with our own. I had the most interesting conversations with people who I never thought I’d talk to outside of classes These lively discussions made the van ride a breeze and not as tedious as these rides can sometimes seem.

We got to the forest, and it was beautiful! There was no shortage of foliage, rock formations, and amazing views everywhere that we explored. The walk we took was longer than I expected it to be- and I found myself checking the clock as we slowly ascended to the viewpoint we wanted to see. I thought to myself “Oh my gosh, we’re behind!” and for a little while, I fussed over the idea that we’d miss the next thing on the schedule. It was only when we reached the top of the trail, and the most beautiful vantage point, that I realized that there had never been any need to hurry. Where’s the fire? What’s the hurry about? We are in Brazil! We have able bodies and ample resources, and there is just too much beauty in the world around us for us to be rushing through it. Once I slowed down and realized that there truly is no need to rush, I was able to enjoy everything around me- whether it be the tall trees, the animals, or my best friends laughing and eating together. 

These lyrics rang true later in the day as we started our journey to the countryside with our host family to embark on a weekend away. The drive felt so far from the school, and it was getting late in a tiny car. As we drove, though, we laughed and sang Bruno Mars songs and got excited for the weekend ahead. It felt all worth it once we arrived and saw the beautiful house we’d be staying in. We spent the weekend truly slowing down- which is not so easy for us Americans sometimes. We laid in hammocks, sat by the pool, and played uno for hours while our host parents cooked dinner. I learned how to play euchre- (which could have been the most time-consuming pursuit of the weekend)- and we roasted marshmallows by a bonfire. After a busy week in the city, hustling from class to lunch to coffee and away on tours and visits, this weekend with our host family reminded us that it is so important to slow down and take time to process, rest, and simply be with one another. This weekend taught me that this kind of communal, relational rest is vital enough to our mental and personal health that, if it takes a long car ride or a few extra hours, it is well worth it.

After the cookout we got the awesome opportunity to see a soccer game, which is a “must do” when in Brazil. Upon arriving the week before, our host family had gifted me and Kyle jerseys of their favorite team, thus indoctrinating us as Palmeiras fans. However, tickets to the local Palmeiras games were too difficult to come by, and we were forced to settle for the local Sao Paulo FC game. This was still a wonderful experience, and one that I wanted to take a souvenir from. Therefore I broke one of the sacred rules in Brazilian soccer fandom and bought merchandise for a second team after declaring my support for one of their rivals. I now own both a Palmeiras jersey and a Sao Paulo FC bucket hat. However, my heart truly lies with Palmeiras. The game itself was an entertaining one, as it was my first professional soccer match. I enjoyed watching both teams go at it, although Sao Paulo lost the game 2-0. After the game, we took an Uber back home, and spend the rest of the night at our apartment hanging out with our Brazilian Buddies, who came over to watch movies with us.

Overall, the day wasn’t too much to handle, and it was one of the more chill days of the whole trip so far, but it was also perhaps the one that best encapsulated the Brazilian experience. We spent time outside, eating food with our friends and family, before watching a soccer match that certainly represented the Brazilian heart and care for sports. While it might not be the day that I remember most about the trip, it was still one that made an impact on my experience and helped to give the trip even more texture than it had.