Olá!

As I write it's a glorious sunny day outside and roughly 23°C (73°F) also known as sleeping temperature in my particular area of Brazil! In many ways this past month has been a really positive time of preparation and looking ahead. My final two weeks at Redcliffe were a real realisation that 'this', going to Brazil is what this time at Redcliffe has been about. I can say I have successfully graduated and have the certificate and photo's to prove it but the sheer thought that I'm even going to South America has to a degree overshadowed the graduation process.

A friend had compared graduating at Redcliffe to getting married, and whilst maybe it's a slightly exaggerated example it did go by in a blur. But it was a huge day with many fond memories to look back on as I reflect upon what I have learnt and been taught and also see where my own personal journey of discovery and growth has led me. As we had our final community worship out on lawn the words 'mourning' were mentioned and it was said that when we leave somewhere like Redcliffe, where some of us have spent three years, it is like mourning because you are leaving so much stuff, so many friends and so many good times behind.

While it is hard and at times difficult it struck me recently on a short stop over at college that the worst thing about Redcliffe is that it's people leave and move on, but in the same way that's the best thing about it because people leave and move on to serve God and that in itself is amazing.

My few weeks since graduating have been a time to have a bit of a break and spend time with family and work on my Portuguese and get various vaccinations before the busy summer period begins. During this time I have also been full steam ahead with fundraising and getting ready to leave with my expected leaving date around mid-September (I will know a definite date soon). I have had a number of really positive church visits too and it has been really encouraging to see God at work throughout. I still have quite a bit to go but I have been so blessed by people's generosity including one Christian lady who I met on the train who after telling her about my plans emptied the contents of her purse on me.

I am also due very soon to start applying for my missionary visa so once I have all the necessary paperwork together I will be making the trip down to the Brazilian embassy in London - probably during the Olympics! This 'should' be a straightforward process but because it is a missionary visa it is a little bit more complicated than normal so your prayers are appreciated; I'm also not a fan of big cities.

Once I have all this together the next big step will be booking flights! Thank fully I don't have to do this but it will certainly be nice to know how much luggage space I will be given and perhaps more importantly when I am due to fly. At the moment I feel as though I am in limbo because I can't commit to anything before the first few weeks September so it will it be a pleasant relief once I have the departure day sorted out.

Despite all the uncertainties I know I can't wait to go and see what amazing things God has planned for the future.

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Thank God for:

• Successfully completing all my studies at Redcliffe.
• Encouraging progress with my fundraising.
• The great support of my home church.
• Good use of my time at home and the many answers to prayer I have received.

Pray for:

• Good language acquisition so far.
• A smooth visa application process.
• For the remainder of finances to come through on time.
• A good restful summer.
• Good endings and goodbyes as I begin to see some people for the last time.