15.6.09 - A chance to Relax

Tonight we are spending some time with our host families and eating with them in their homes. Tomorrow we are at the church at 7:30 and have programming until 10:30 tomorrow night in the schools here in Rio do Sol. The pictues I have are only a fraction of the pictuers your kids have taken (and I'm approaching 300 myself with a week left to go). Our plan is to post all that we can on facebook once we get back for the purpose of sharing them all with each other and all of you. We have had so many great experiences, conversations and learning opportunities since arriving here almost a week ago. We are learning some Portugese, but mostly our team language has evolved into some sort of a Portuspanglish (part Portuguese, part Spanish and part English). We understand each other, but we're putting Portuguese accents on English words and will bounce back and forth between the three at any random time with words, accents, etc. We understand each other, but I don't think anyone else would be able to.

The preaching at the churches went very well. It was an experience getting there, but some things are probably better left unspoken until we get home. Everyone is safe though so no worries. Lauren and Jake shared their testimonies and did very well. Ricky spoke at one church, I spoke at another. The kids who were along had some great experiences.

Today we went to an impoverished school and taught the children some English, played games with them and shared the Word. We had a very good time and the children seemed to enjoy our presence. Brandon shared his testimony and like the rest of the kids he did great.

We started sharing your comments on our bus rides today out loud with the group. The kids had a lot of fun with that and we'll continue to do so. They love hearing from you.

Joel Michaels (a representative from our church at home) is supposed to be arriving tonight, last we heard he was in Rio de Janiero leaving for Florianapolis this afternoon and then would be catching a bus to where we are.

I don't have too many pictures of the kids jumping in the waterfall, but here are JBarr and Jon standing on a ledge about to jump in for a second time. There is video of this and many pictures from the kids. It's well documented.


The weather is damp and cool during the day and damp and cold at night. We had temperatures in the mid 30's last night. What makes it worse is that Brazillians don't beleive in central heating. Just multiple blankets and sweats.

This is Emily and I with Johnny at the top of the highest mountain near Rio do Sul. We climbed up this (drove most of the way, then climbed the last bit) Sunday morning after the waterfalls. Johnny is the pastor here that set our visit up. He is a great guy and has become a good friend to many of us.

bw