New life...

The last two days have been so joyful for us. We finalized the paperwork on the house where we will be moving, and spent some good time with our friends Steve and Debra Rowe while they oriented us to our new neighborhood, Barão Geraldo. That evening, we had a young couple over to dinner, followed by playing “Chicken Foot,” another wonderful time. Then yesterday, after spending the morning looking for a hotel for our first short term team, we spent the afternoon helping our pastor clean up the church for the church’s anniversary party. This may seem like something so small, but for us, it was wonderful. We have been so starved for service. One of the most important things was that our pastor called us up and asked us to help him. That was so big. That he even felt close enough to us to ask. Thank you Lord, for friends and for our new life here in Brazil.

Evangelism 101

Yesterday we were taught Evangelism 101. Around 6:00 am I went to ride my exercise bicycle. Just a few minutes into it a lady came in and sat on the other bike and wanted to talk in English. I don't know how they know we're Americans, but they do. They all seem to know. Anyway we were talking and getting to know each other, and she asked if we could get together sometime as couples. Later that afternoon she called and invited us over for coffee, which means french rolls with meat & cheese, fruit, assorted sweets and, of course, coffee. Good strong Brazilian coffee. In other words dinner. They knew we were missionaries so after the cultural and political discussion was more or less over, we started talking our faiths. I assume that they were Catholics because of something Marzina said in the morning, but after a while it became clear that they were spiritists. They believe God is in everything and that if we are only complete, we can be like God and do much of what He does.

To learn more of what they believe follow this link: http://www.spiritwritings.com/kardecspiritstoc.html. Or look under Wikipedia for the definition of spiritists. Brazil is the leading country for this religion.

Imagine trying to talk about such a deep subject with the language capability of a 1 year old. Rebecca understood most of what he was talking about. I didn't have a clue. After a interesting debate, we left under friendly terms with the goal of meeting again.

So we were evangelized. Make an acquaintance, get to know them a little, invite them over, FEED THEM, have engaging discussions, then talk about God by first finding common ground and then talk about the differences. Quite effective.

I am going to engage Edgar for more discussions. Since spiritists believe only through understanding can one evolve, I'm quite sure he will want to get together. It will be interesting because he will have to talk as a baby with me because of my limited Portuguese. I will bring both my dictionaries. It will be slow going, but I will be able to learn what they believe and hopefully, he will gain a saving understanding of Christ Jesus.

Since our discussions will be a very slow process, I will be posting questions on how best to answer what he tells me. I will be praying for discernment knowing what it says in Galatians:
Galatians 6:1-2 Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. 2 Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

More to come.

Law Enforcement Update

In my previous post I talked about there not being traffic laws here to worry about. I found out that there is a law against turning right on a red. Who knew! I didn't. Well one day I received a letter with a picture of my car turning right on a red. The funny thing was, our friend Diogenes was in the car with us and told me that it is against the law to turn on a red. I am so glad the city of Campinas backed up his instructions.

As you can see I almost got around the tree before the camera got me. And I wonder how they got my license plate number off this picture. I think Rebecca called them just so I would be the first one to get a ticket.

The Gift

Yesterday was my birthday. Historically, I have always wanted much to be made of my birthday. After all, it’s the only day of the year that’s all about me! (I think I lack a little humility here.) But my family always made a big deal of birthdays; no working, get to choose what’s for dinner, fine china, etc. So when Greg and I got married, I wanted him to continue the tradition. Bless his heart, he did. But after coming to Brazil, we began to desperately miss our family during holidays. So when Greg asked me what I would like to do on my birthday, I said, “Nothing.” (Sometimes when things hurt so badly, it’s easier to act like they don’t exist rather than be disappointed by them.)

But as my birthday kept getting closer, he kept asking me, “What would you like to do for your birthday?” So I finally said, “Let’s just go out to dinner.” He said, “Would you like to invite anyone?” I said, “No, that’s OK.” But he wouldn’t let it go. “How about Steve and Debra?” “OK, they’re OK.” But as the days kept coming, so did Greg’s questions. “How about Sylvia and Ralf?” I got tired of even making an attempt at dissuading him, so I said, “Yes, whatever.” “Anyone else? How about The Kid (Greg’s name for Alex, Steve and Debra’s son-in-law) and Krista? And Ellie? And our language teachers?” (I’m thinking, “Oh dear, this is really starting to resemble a party.") In my head I was thinking that I was just going to let him do whatever he wanted because it seemed much more important to him than it was to me. But his questions didn’t stop. “Where do you want to eat.” Now we’ve been here seven months, but the reality is, other than a few snack shops or per kilo type places, we only know one restaurant and that’s Água Doce. So I said, “How about Água Doce?” I thought that would be the end of it but a few days later, he says again, “Where do you want to eat on your birthday?” Once again, I said, “The only place we know is Água Doce, so let’s go there.” A few days before my birthday, he tells me, “Marina (one of our language teachers) and I went out today and found a restaurant for your birthday and it’s going to be a surprise!” (OK, I’ll go along with this.)

The day of my birthday, I was in a funk. Jeepers, I really missed my children. The highlight of the day was talking to my daughter on Skype for about an hour. For the rest of the day, I just sat at the computer researching things (a bit of a hobby I guess.) But I was getting more down by the minute.

At 7 (remember, we’re on Brazilian time and they eat late), we took off for the restaurant. When we arrived, it was (I have to admit) a cute little place. When we went in, there were candles on the crisp white table cloths, live flower arrangements with roses and ivy, and a beautiful quiet ambiance. Through the windows, you could see displays of orchids (I love flowers) growing out of tree trunks in a symmetrical pattern, and the food was FRENCH! (I love French food.) When we arrived, Steve, Debra and Ellie were already waiting for us,(I really love them!) and greeted me with the traditional Brazilian birthday greeting, “Parabens! (Congratulations!)” (It was already more fun than I thought it would be!) Soon after, Sylvia and Ralf arrived, followed by Alex and Krista. (My heart was starting to sing.) It wasn’t long before a mix of Portuguese and English was blended into a wonderful, laughing, conversation, and they sang me the Brazilian birthday song (which truly is a masterpiece!) Did I mention I had salmon (my favorite food), and the food was tremendous?

It is the Brazilian tradition (I found out from Sylvia) to open your presents as soon as they’re handed to you. So I did! The present from Sylvia and Ralf was a CD of Brazilian worship music (so I will know the songs in church). I didn’t cry (but I felt like it. Not understanding the worship music is very hard on me.) Steve and Debra also gave me one of their favorite CD’s. You all know I am an earring nut. I pride myself on being able to pick out earrings that ladies will like and that look beautiful on them. Well, Ellie gave me the most adorable pair of earrings. I wouldn’t have picked them of the rack, but when I put them on, they were so CUTE (and make me look good!) I look really chique now! Greg gave me something I’ve been wanting ever since we came to Brazil. In Brazil, when you open plastic wrap or tin foil, the box does not have a cutter on it. You have to cut it with a pair of scissors. It’s a big stinking hassle. I had been wanting this little item that you hang on the kitchen wall that holds tin foil, plastic wrap and paper towels and HAS A CUTTER on it! That’s what Greg got me for my birthday, along with some really cute, colorful, Birkenstock type shoes with great arches that I had been eyeing in a shop on the mall! They were wrapped beautifully, by Greg himself (believe it or not, he’s a great wrapper as well as a great gift buyer!) To top it all off, the waiter gave us ALL dessert for free because it was my birthday! (Steve said Greg had raised the bar for birthday celebrations!)

Now, you may wonder, what is the point of this very long birthday story? It’s just this, everyone needs someone who loves them enough to shake them out of their self-pity, to drag them into joy. My husband loves me that much and I am grateful. Thank you Honey for a birthday I will never forget.

Brazilian Hotdog?!

You’ve never really tasted a hotdog, until you’ve tasted a Brazilian hotdog! Here’s what’s in them: bun, hotdog, mustard, ketchup and mayo (sounds pretty normal so far) peas, corn, mashed potatoes (in a hotdog?) Yep, in a hotdog! Greg swore he was never going to let a mashed potato hotdog touch his lips but tonight he ate, yes a mashed potato hotdog (he left out the peas and corn). Hey, is what they mean when they say we’re “suffering for the Lord”? (Well, maybe not.) Come on down to Brazil and we’ll get you mashed potato hotdogged up!

There are quite a few things that I love about being a woman in Brazil. For one thing, they like sparkly jewelry. Not just for weddings and such, but all the time! I love sparkly jewelry. I’ve always felt like a cockatiel pecking at a mirror, looking at sparkly things just makes me happy. Another thing is that no matter how old they are, many still wear their hair long. You KNOW how I love long hair. But one thing about Brazilian women is their love for HIGH heels. You’ll see 70 year old women in heels so high they get nose bleeds. On Thursday, my language school teacher Vera (a high heel aficionado) took me to the local women’s shoe store to teach me how to shop. (No it’s not an oxymoron, I mean in Portuguese!) I was learning to say, “Oh, those are cute!”, “They’re too small/big/tight/loose!” “I’ll take these.” and such. After trying on about a gazillion pairs of shoes (and not a dime in my pocket), I told the saleslady (in Portuguese), “I don’t have any money, but I’ll be back!” After language school, I told Greg (in Portuguese) “Get the scorpion out of your pocket!” (a very Brazilian phrase used to say, “Give me some money!) We walked back to the shoe store and bought these beauties! Just wanted to let you know that I’m officially Brazilian!

Outreach Into the Favelas

We had the opportunity of performing some community outreach during the Carnival holiday. We went through the neighborhood around the church where we worked out of and we also went into a favela, (slum) that was near by. Most of the pictures outside were of the favela. Many people made decisions for Christ that weekend. There is a picture of me with and older man and his wife. He is the first person I have ever witnessed to in an evangelictic outreach. He didn't call on the Lord, but he knows what he has to do. The next day in the city we led a man to a saving relationship with Christ. One great thing is he knows someone from the church we were at.

We also got to work with some great young adults from a church in Sao Paulo. It was so much fun. Brought back memories of the old life in Kingsburg.