Intercâmbio Precista - Do Cipó para o Mundo! #1

For years Americans have been visiting Fortaleza, Pentecoste, Cipó, ADEL and PRECE EPCs to learn about the PRECE movement and its progress. They, being inspired by the work of PRECE leaders and students have taken the good news of PRECE back to their friends, churches and communities in the U.S.A. and encouraged others to support the movement. But, PRECE had never sent their own students to the U.S. to talk about PRECE and share their stories… until yesterday.

Yesterday afternoon I embarked on a month long journey to and around the U.S. with Maraiza Alves Teixeira and Ana Caroline Andrade Avendano. For the past 6 months, these two PRECE leaders have been studying English with me, preparing presentations about PRECE and taking care of all the necessary paperwork for passports and visas. They are more than ready to travel and spread the news of PRECE to all American supporters as well as seek out new supporters.

This exchange program, which we hope to grow and continue each year, has three main objectives:
1) Send PRECE representatives to the U.S.A. to share updates about PRECE with partners and develop new partnerships.
2) Learn about the American culture while staying with “host families” and take this knowledge back to Brasil.
3) Practice English skills.

As we prepared to leave Fortaleza the girls commented that they were both excited about upcoming adventure and all that they would learn, but at the same time they were nervous. Would their English be strong enough? Would people understand what they were presenting and saying? I assure you- their English skills are excellent!

So, saying good-bye to friends and family we boarded the plane in Fortaleza. After a short layover in São Paulo we headed to New York where we met up with PRECE supporter Ansley Whipple who showed us her beautiful city.

The next month will include time with partners in Atlanta, a PCUSA Brasil Conference in Indianapolis, meeting with partners in Iowa, and a Cooperative Learning Conference in Minneapolis. And, of course time with friends and sightseeing in-between. You can follow the journey on http://www.myjourneywithprece.blogspot.com/ or our Facebook pages.