more to follow...

Foooood!!!

Brazilian BBQ!!!

Since the meat isn't processed and doesn't have added chemicals, it tastes amazing.

One of the restaurants I went to had a buffet layed out in front when I walked in. I chose all sorts of food (minus meat) and then sat down.

There's a small round dial on each table - one side red, the other green.

So, move it to the green side and wait.

We didn't wait long, and waiters started coming with different types of meat. They slice off what you want and will keep coming until you move the dial to red or stop.

Wow! Did I get my fill there!!

Definitely worth it.

There were places like that restaurant in Goias too. Except that I went to the BBQ itself and chose what meat I wanted and then my plate was weighed.

My mouth is watering just describing it!

Brazil

The top left picture is of Camp Victoria. It's the christian camp that Dihno and Ginny (picture in the right) started. The LAM missionaries that work with Christian Camping International Brazil train Brazilians with how to run camps. From everything on what to do with snakes to buying food, to training camp staff, etc.

We stayed at the camp for one night. It was beautiful and peaceful. I loved listening to the birds, and there are even night birds!

The property is huge and was bought for $10,000 USD from a spiritist who liked Dihno's vision for the camp. God works in mysterious ways!

Dihno and Ginny (left) and Ariana live in Tres Ranchos. Ariana rents from Dihno and Ginny and works as a missionary at the camp. She spoke some English so I had fun getting to know her. The last night we were in Tres Ranchos, she invited me to a birthday party for someone at her church. Though only a few others spoke English, I still had fun. I love the Latino culture...even though I am a stranger, it doesn't matter.

The bottom picture is of the landscape in Goias. It reminded me of BC. I guess that's why it felt so much like home. Rolling hills, cows and horses and agriculture all over the place!

Traffic and Pollution

A typical day in Sao Paulo...yes, it's cloudy, but not foggy, just polluted. My eyes hurt a lot and I had to take Claritain. It looks like I'll only be in Sao Paulo if I'm flying into the airport.

I love big cities, but it's not safe. There are a lot of problems with gangs and robberies. It sounds like my first car will be in Brazil! Since most of the cars there are standards, I decided I should learn how to drive one on Deerfoot, in rush hour, while it's raining! Anyone want to teach me???!!!!

Me and the boys. I didn't know the word for smile, so they don't look very happy!






Alan is a LAM missionary in Anapolis with Christian Camping Internatioal Brazil. Eni Dell is his daughter (right). Miguel Angel (left) is VP of Ministries for LAM and I was traveling with him. Anapolis is in Goias, another State in Brazil. Just north of Sao Paulo. I loved listening to the birds. And the fruit is wonderful, such a variety. I'll be learning Portuguese in Anapolis. Alan, his wife Ezia and daughter are looking into tutors for me. Eni Dell offered to be one of my tutors. Ezia is Brazilian and so Eni Dell is fluent. They were such an amazing family. I felt like I was coming home!

This is the Valley of Blessing. It was beautiful and peaceful. It's about an hour and a half outside of Sao Paulo. The people were so friendly and wanted to help me learn the language.

I can't wait to return.

Brazil

Here is me with some of the boys. They were so cute and even though we couldn't communicate, we had fun.

I'm trying to post more pics, but it won't let me right now. So, more to come!

Brazil

Welcome to Valley of Blesssing. Careful with our Children.

Aracariguama, SP, Brazil

This is the ministry where I'll be working - specifically City for Children.

There are children here from birth to 18 years. There's a school, church, cafeteria, Bible college, houses for the kids/teens, parks, prayer center.

It's beautiful and protected by the government.

I hung out with some of the kids for a few hours. It was hard because I don't speak Portuguese, but I figured out how to ask "what is it" in Portuguese, except I found out later that I was saying it as I would in Spanish, not Portuguese. But one boy, Lucas understood me and taught me parts of the body, and how to count. And they had me playing ring aroud the rosie.

It's May darn it!

What do I see on the weather this morning?

Snowfall warning!

It's May 8th...I'll never get used to Calgary weather!

10-15 cm from today to Friday morning. Funny part, I'm going to a retreat with Axis from Friday to Sunday with horseback riding Saturday. Maybe I'll be sledding instead!

It's supposed to warm up for Friday and the weekend, but this IS Calgary.

Anything can happen!

Can I go back to Brazil now?