Family visit....

As many of you know, we had a visit from Paul’s brother and his wife, Jaap and Helga and their daughter Melanie, last week. They came from Holland for the first time to see Brazil. We took them around to many places, our favourite restaurants and towns, including a crocodile farm, a wonderful day in Pedreira. I realized once again why we fell in love with Brazil, seeing the different aspects through their eyes. It was so fun having them visit and see what all we have been doing over the years. God is good!!

HELP.... I NEED SOME HELP!!!!

My husband gave me a job that causes many a brave, strong hearted man to run away in fear, and to be speechless without any words. How does one obtain peace and harmony with ten different women working in one house? This year I had to settle countless small arguments and sadly some very serious disagreements. How many eggs to use in a birthday cake, where to set the sugar, what is best to hang on the walls, whether or not to lock the bathroom doors on the outside, where to put the children’s dressy clothes are just a few of the points of disagreement that I dealt with this year. A few times we were able to achieve love and forgiveness, but other times, there were terrible fights that led to broken relationships and sorrow. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem and pray for the peace of the baby house at Lar Feliz!

Teacup...

Yesterday all of Holambra had a water shortage because cleaning the water tower. We discovered this when on a Saturday morning we got into the showers and found only about 5 or 6 drops of water coming out. It was when I was standing under the shower that I remembered one of the sayings of my Grandmother. She used to say that every woman should know how to take a bath in a teacup! When I was a child I didn’t understand the meaning of this at all. Did she mean that every woman should stay so thin as to be able to fit on top of a teacup without breaking it? Now I grasped her meaning. My grandparents raised ten children on a farm and were poor but very happy. They had one bathroom to share with seven daughters and probably at times had a shortage of water. She must have learned how to use what she had to get by, even if it was only one cup of water to use to bathe with.

Paul's birthday...

Yesterday was a day to remember! At Lar Feliz, we celebrated Paul’s birthday. It was all planned and meant to be a surprise; even some of the children spilled the beans, and told! Anyway, the evening started slow, and I was worried that many of the staff would not be coming, but right on time, before Paul, everyone came in and filled the room. Elisa made a funny slide show. I did an interpretive dance, and the children of the project did some worship songs and finally ended the program in a rap fest that caused everyone to stand and dance simultaneously. There were special moments to be remembered: one of the difficult way-word teen girls spent all her money on a huge fruit and flower basket for Paul. As well, one of the little boys of the baby house who has been having all sorts of different difficulties broke out dancing like Fred Astaire. The little girls did a beautiful interpretive dance, and Rosangela, our teacher prepared a colourful, artistic painting with writings made by the children. Paul had a wonderful time, and God poured out his blessing and joy upon us all.

Even after living in Brazil.....

Today as I was walking with Charlie, I saw a beautiful sight. In a tree, close by some homes I saw a Toucan bird. He looked strangely out of place on a cool rainy day in a residential area with people, but also strangely at home. He was in no hurry as he was sitting in the tree and flew to another tree. Charlie and I stopped and stared at him for a few minutes before we continued our walk. Even after living in Brazil for nearly 12 years, the nature here still takes me by surprise and amazes me.