After many months of waiting, a long journey, two flights and an arduous drive I've finally it made to Cariré, here in hot and sunny Brazil!

Whilst I normally think flights are nothing worth writing about, and trust me mine weren't, the initial stages of arriving at the airport and the checking in process indeed were. We arrived at the airport and because of the long walk mum had pre-ordered a wheelchair to get us from the car park to the terminal. We then found out I would have to walk a good 15 minutes to go collect the wheelchair which was a stress we could do without. So after walking for a mere 30 seconds I found one, sitting there, abandoned in the car park!

The next amazing part was when it came to checking in, knowing my bags were a little overweight I was a bit apprehensive, that was until the person next to me wanted to bring on a spear gun-at which point the airport staff couldn't care less about my stuff and processed my bags without a problem.

I am usually of the understanding that God doesn't care about the little things like a wheelchair and baggage limits, I was on this occasion convinced that He does because He wanted to show me in that moment that He does care and that He was there with and my family then and that He is here with me now in Brazil.

Cariré as I expected it would be is a bustling, rural small town/large village (I've not worked out which yet) well away from the big cities and the bright lights. Whilst it was initially a bit overwhelming arriving in Brazil, now after my 11 hour sleep I feel more settled and able to absorb everything going on around me. That said it's really great to actually, finally be here after months and months of preparing, visa's, vaccinations and support raising etc. I don't concretely know what my day by day schedule will be yet but it's great to know that I have the support of my hosts and mentors Ruth (the only other English person in the area) and her Brazilian husband Izaias to do almost whatever I like and explore opportunities as and when they arise.

My main activities for the next two months will be to learn Portuguese, establish friendships and play football. Whilst I do recognise that playing football might sound a bit easy for someone who is meant to be working it is regarded here in Brazil as a key method for evangelism because it is based on relationships. This in addition to mentoring a number of young people (eventually around 15), going on evangelistic visits to local villages and teaching the odd bit of English will be one of my main projects as we seek to integrate these young people into the church and eventually come to know Christ.

I am really encouraged to see that Ruth and Izaias have some really bold plans for the recently planted church here with the current aim being to see their five cell groups multiply to 60 by the end of 2014; they are also on the lookout for a new church building as their current one is regularly fairly full.

It's the things like that would never happen in England that remind me where I am, what I am doing and why I am here. And although it is a bit frustrating at the moment not being able to communicate as effectively as I would like to I am grateful that I am able to have moments like this to get me a bit more perspective on being here.

Whilst currently my schedule isn't all that busy I am sure that as my time here progresses and my Portuguese improves I will be increasingly busier and busier and with that comes fresh challenges and opportunities. I am eager to see what God has in store for me whilst I am here and look forward to writing about that soon.

Thank God for:

• The amazing and at times positively overwhelming support from people back home.

• The miracles God worked whilst at the airport in the UK.

• The good transition so far and no real major problems or disasters.

Pray for:

• My family as they adjust to life without me being around.

• Good settling in and adjustment to the new language, culture, climate and food.

• Continued provision of finances and prayer support.

• A constant, reliable Portuguese teacher for the next two months especially.

• Me and relationships back home, that I would be able to establish a good level of contact.