Life in Brazil

cleaning day.......

Last week Menezes and I took one good look around the classroom in Vila Esperança and decided it was high time we gave it the cleaning it deserved.  So we roped in the help of our students and had cleaning day this morning......followed by snacks afterward.

I picked up some supplies for the classroom at the end of last week.....now they have everything needed to keep the room spic and span.

We were greeted by a new friend who was hanging around outside the classroom and just decided to come in and make himself at home.  He was very friendly......and I so wanted to take him home with me because I love cats.  Unfortunately I don't think I can have a pet in my apartment.....but.....fortunately one of the students took him home with her so he gets a new home.......yay!!

Here they are.....hard at work......the great thing about these kids.....they are not afraid to roll up their sleeves and do some work.....such a refreshing attitude.  Also, this way they are taking ownership of their classroom by keeping it clean.

 

 

......and as always we discover new innovative ways to do cleaning.....as in this case....new ways to clean the floor.

Finally before I sign off....I'd like to share a little something I've been keeping to myself for about 2 months.  Some time back I received a message on Facebook from a man at my church.  He and his wife are very active in missions and well......they had been in conversation with my folks.  They were unaware of what was going on with my mom.  You can read about it here  Anyway the gentleman basically told my folks that it was time they visited me in Brazil and that he and his wife were going to spearhead the effort to make it happen.  So needless to say they have put this endeavor before the church in Yakima to raise funds to send my parents here to visit me.  I am beyond excited....to say the least.  Honestly after my mother's diagnosis I basically came to a place where I thought it just wasn't going to happen given my parent's situation......but God obviously has other ideas.  Isn't it amazing when God steps into the middle of difficult situations and does something so wonderful?

Really.....it's been that long since I posted anything??

I just looked at the date on my last post.....

February 26......sheeeesh.

Really.....it's been that long since I posted anything?  Oh boy.  I guess I've been going through a too tired, too busy and too uninspired to write a blog post phase.....and I hope it passes soon.

You would think that because last year I took two on-line blogging workshops that I would be a pro at this by now and have all kinds of ideas just waiting to make their debut in a blog post.....unfortunately that hasn't been the case.  I must admit it's been hard being motivated to write here and I know I need to find a way back to being motivated because there has been so much going on.  However when tiredness and lack of motivation get together......watch out......because it's a combination which is difficult to overcome.

Anyway.....I thought I would share what's been going on as of late and I'm particularly excited to share a few changes with the ministry in Ilha Bela and Vila Esperança.  Last year I noticed how the kids weren't really paying attention to the weekly Bible stories so I decided to switch things up and now I do brief discussions based on topics.  Thus far we have talked about cheating, friends, encouragement, respect, forgiveness and trust.  It's been really good and I usually get good interaction with the students and......some have really been listening so I'm greatly encouraged by all of this.  I conclude each "discussion" with our weekly memory verse which coincides with the week's topic.  Please be in prayer for these kids because I can see God is moving.  Secondly, due to the selling of my car I've been without wheels for little over a month so Menezes graciously comes and picks me up for the classes.  This means I've been getting up an hour earlier on Tuesdays and Wednesdays to be out to the classes by 8 am and then I return with him in the afternoons to be there by 2.  Granted being without a car can be a bit of a pain but in this situation it has provided me the opportunity to spend more time with each of the classes.  Instead of only being with each group for an hour I've been spending two hours with them.  I've been enjoying it so much that even when we are able to get another car for me I plan to continue spending two hours with each group.  We have only been in session for about 7 weeks and as I said I can see God moving.  I'm already looking at next year and the possibility of doing a reward retreat in July.......it will take a lot of planning and preparing....but I can see it is very doable.

Then there is the English school and my three which is to soon become four private students.  It has been a blessing to be able to help these people improve a skill that is very important to them and at the same time have "discussions" with them from time to time.  It is amazing to me how many times opportunities are given to us to "engage" others in a way where some seeds can be planted.  I'm enjoying these classes as well as the ones with the kids and I find it very interesting that in this particular season of time God would bring me back to be so heavily involved in English once again.  It makes me wonder what He's up to and just where all of this will lead.

I must say even though we are only in the fourth month of 2012 this year I find myself involved in more things than I ever have been here in Brazil and if all of these things were not enough I'm also working on a "special project" in my spare time....which many times I have to specifically arrange for in order to get anything done on it.  I'm not going to come out with what it is but as it develops and takes shape I will definitely share more about it.....so I ask please be in prayer because I have never ever taken on anything like this before and I know without a doubt it is something God is leading me to do.

Well there you have it......and I promise not to wait another month and half before I post again......just need to get motivated and put some ideas down on paper.

starting the process......

 

Today we take some documents to the owner of my new apartment to begin the process of putting together a contract......I'm so stoked.

Hopefully later this week I'll be able to get into the apartment to start taking some measurements for cabinets and such.  When I do I promise to take some pictures of the place "as is" for the moment and then continue as more progress takes place and then again after I'm completely moved in.

A side note...the prayer request I posted yesterday about the situation....well the individual came to me and asked for forgiveness last night at church and we talked for awhile.....so all is well....thanks for the prayers.

I think it's the beginning of a beautiful week.......don't forget it's Father's Day this next weekend.....do some fabulous for your dad to let him know how much you love and appreciate him.

how's your sunday afternoon???????

mine has been low key and very relaxing.

Just got back to the house after spending some time with my dear friend Eiza.  What Sam was to Frodo in the "Lord of the Rings" movies is what Eiza is to me....a true friend regardless of what life seems to throw at me.  A word to the wise.....treasure and protect those special relationships because I can tell you from experience the enemy will try his hardest to try and sabotage those friendships.

Anyway...it's been a little while since my last post and I thought I would just let you all know what's been going on here in my small part of the world.

For starters.....last Sunday I preached and it was......interesting.  Interesting because the passage was a well known and familiar passage.  I found myself telling the Lord....."it's not my place to judge the validity of this message.....I'm just the messenger."  I found myself saying this to Him many times because I wondered if I had indeed heard Him correctly as to the passage He wanted me to preach from.  The text in question was Matthew 6:19-24 pertaining to:

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.  The eye is the lamp of the body.  So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness.  If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!  No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other.  You cannot serve God and money.

As preachers of the truth we can never assume that even the most familiar of all passages have nothing new to say to us....nothing could be farther from the truth.  This passage challenged all of us in who we are devoted to and why.  The questions I left with the congregation last week included:

• What version of "life" are we buying into?
• Is our own "self-interest" getting in the way of maintaining a clear focus on God?
• Who has our hearts?

The congregation responded well and my hope was that the message spoke to their hearts....I believe it did as they commented as such.

Secondly, I received the great news that my apartment search is now over.....Yay Me!!  I will be moving into a brand new building and I'm so excited about it.  It is located about 3 blocks away from the mission house so I will still be close to Aaron and Cris.  It is still under construction so I am hoping that maybe in about a month from now I will be moving.  I need to go do some measuring as I will need to buy my own cabinets for the kitchen.  When I am able to gain access to the apartment I will definitely take some pictures for all of you to see.

Finally, I would ask for prayer as I had to deal with a situation last week.  I'm not going to give the details for the protection of those involved.  However I will say that I had to reprimand someone who was basically insulting me and showing a lack of respect.  I praise God for helping me regain my composure and the ability to express my thoughts and feelings in a way which did not crush the individual's spirit.  Please pray for this situation and also for the individual as I believe this person simply doesn't realize how their behavior is being perceived and has no idea that it is hurting other  people.

I'm still working through some ideas for this blog and as those ideas become more formulated I will be sharing them here....so check back from time to time....you might be surprised what you find.

up and scrambling......

 

what are they doing??  Any guesses??

How's your morning going??  I went to the post office after class to mail some info to my tax preparer along with some other letters.  The kind lady added everything up and I confidently handed her my debt card only to be told that they don't except debit/credit cards....just cards from the Bradesco bank.  She told me the total which I didn't have that amount in my wallet...or so I had thought.  I knew I had more cash at home and raced there to get it...only to open my wallet and discover I had more money in my wallet than originally thought and could have paid for my stuff at the post office.  Grrrrr.....frustrated that I wasted a trip...yet thankful for the extra money.

Note to self....always double check the wallet.

the view from my window.....

 

well actually it's my balcony and it took me a while to find some thing interesting enough to take a shot of.  You see in the other direction is just houses, apartment buildings, trees and lots of electric wires.  What you see here is my neighbor's business.  He installs auto glass and stereos....and I must say he is always busy.  There doesn't seem to be a day that goes by where there aren't any cars parked outside his shop.  He's a very friendly person and always says "hi" to me and asks how I'm doing.  His wife is very sweet as well.  About a week after I returned she stopped me on the street to say that if I needed anything to let them know.  Isn't that great?  Such nice people....I would like to get to know them better.....in fact I'm planning to make some baked good and take it over to them.

How well do you know your neighbors??  You know you may be the next link between them and a relationship with Jesus.

Just a thought.

my day as a list......

 

1. not enough sleep
2. workout @ 7am
3. classes in Ilha Bela
4. marking prizes for "reward week"
5. Carol's fresh baked bread
6. Michel came for lunch
7. chocolate for candy bags
8. humidity
9. 3 weeks till vacation
10. write class invitation for Christmas party

How's your day going??

my day.....as a list.....

1. Vila Esperança
2. Class test
3. Balloon volleyball
4. Panquecas
5. Quick Books
6. Monthly financial report
7. Rain.....rain...and more rain
8. Chocolate cappuccino
9. FOX News
10. Prayer Group

Some photos from class today:

 

 

 

 

Balloon volleyball......the rules:

1. You can't stand up....you have to remain in your seat.
2. Each side can only hit the balloon 3 times.
3. The balloon has to go over the string...not under it
4. And most importantly.....you have to have fun.

Tomorrow......shopping for the prizes for "reward week."  Promise an update showing all our loot.

social calendar......

 

 

 

This week has included many "social" interactions.  Monday I had Bible Study with Rosane, Tuesday Dave, Carol and I went bowling with our friend Eiza and her kids, Wednesday and Thursday Carol and I were out in Ilha Bela and Vila Esperança and last night we were over at Michel and Thatiana's.  I was teaching Thatiana how to make brownies and she made a "torta de pizza."  It's made in a baking pan with a layer of dough on the bottom, mozzarella cheese, slices of ham, tomatoes, more cheese and another layer of dough.  You bake it in the oven for about 35-40 minutes and voila.....dinner is served.  It was SO good.....and of course I'm going to get the recipe.

We had an enjoyable time visiting and playing games....in fact we arrived at home around 12:30 this morning....ouch for a 41 year old body that is used to being in bed between 10:30 and 11:00...but I'll live.

I have to....we have another "social" event tonight......a wedding.

What do you have going on this weekend?

Look what arrived today......

A couple of weeks ago I had seen a jewelry site being promoted on one of the blogs I frequently read and decided to check it out.  What I found was an awesome find....one of a kind hand made jewelry that was Christian inspired.  Beki Hastings has all kinds of creations and she has a necklace where you can pick the word or name you want and it will be stamped along with a choice of icons and a choice of beads.  At this time in my life God has given me the word "overcomer" and it is an identity I am learning to embrace.  So it only seemed natural that I should have a necklace with this word....along with a heart with wings and one of my favorite colors...turquiose blue.  I was so surprised that it arrived today...I wasn't expecting it for about another week....after I opened the package..which cleared customs with no problems...I promptly put it on and in fact I am wearing it right now as I'm typing this post.  If you are interested in checking out her site you can find it here and you can find her blog here.