My computer’s broken and I’ve had limited time on a computer for the past month so now it’s time to catch up with the blog posts…
These pics are from May 9th & 11th – I absolutely love the neighborhood kids! I have tons of fun playing games with them, helping with English homework and watching them walk by on their way to or from school and either hearing a big “Oi Cingee” shouted in the window or getting a wave and a smile.
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This morning I saw a cockroach that was probably close to 2 inches long in my apt. Good news is, my landlord sprays for them every 1.5 months, so the icky little bug was on his back dying so I was OK with that. However, he was still moving so I went and got the Raid and sprayed it directly on him like three more times. I didn’t want to touch it until it was dead… just checked again now — HE’S STILL MOVING!! Seriously? I just sprayed him 3 more times – hope that does the trick!
It was two months ago yesterday that I arrived in Manaus! Crazy how fast the time has flown! I’m loving it though – not EVERY minute – but overall, I’m loving it!
I’ve started singing with the worship team and other than struggling like crazy to remember the melody and Portuguese words to about 7 songs per week, it’s going well…. ahhh, except for yesterday. I purposefully asked if I could stand way on the end so it wasn’t as noticeable that I’m reading every single lyric off of the computer screen in front of me. That worked for the first set of songs and then they moved me smack dab in the center for the second set – yeah – embarrassing as I struggled through. But I did lead Agnus Dei first in English and then in Portuguese in that set so they wanted me in the center – makes sense, but still…
Oh, and I’m getting more and more excited for the English Camp and for the team from Christ Community Church to join me here in roughly 8 weeks. If the next 8 weeks go by as quickly as the first, it’ll feel like no time at all until they’re here. WHOO HOO!
Thanks so much to all of you who have prayed for me and encouraged me over the past two months. It means more than you know!
Ok – he wasn’t really crazy but it’s a catchy title. I hopped a cab today to go to the Office and work cuz I was too tired to deal with the bus. The last time I took the bus I missed my stop and had to walk a bit backwards to the Office and arrived all sweaty and gross. So today I flagged down a cab and was picked up by a very friendly older gentleman cab driver who rattled on and on in Portuguese. I explained to him that I speak and understand only a little but It didn’t stop him – in fact he ask me if I could sit up front so we could talk.
I agreed and he pulled the cab over and I jumped in the front seat. Before proceeding, he asked if he could kiss my hand…strange. Now, it’s not out of the ordinary here for a guy to kiss a lady’s hand, but the cab driver? Kinda threw me a little but I just thought – sure, whatever, kiss my hand if you want to.
So he prattled on and on (I don’t think I’ve ever used the word “prattled” before. I hope I’m using it correctly) asking what Chicago is known for producing. Seriously felt stupid cuz I had no idea! Then he was explaining how difficult Portugesus is to learn and how sometimes there are two different words for the same thing… well, I think that’s what we were talking about. HAHA! Oh, and then he randomly starts counting to 10 in English – it took me a minute to figure out that’s what he was trying to do…
It was just a funny cab ride.
When there’s a big soccer game on TV, the city streets which are normally filled with traffic and the sidewalks which are usually full of people, are deserted - except for a few venders hoping for a little business. The Brazilians love their soccer!
The other day at the gym, there was a random cat just walking around inside. Granted, the gym is not enclosed so the cat could easily get in, but no one seemed to think he was out of place. I thought it was a bit odd to watch the cat walk around all of the Nautilus equipment but I guess he wasn’t causing any harm…
Apparently “click it or ticket” doesn’t apply here. Last night, the police pulled up next to the car I was in, looked at the 7 people piled inside, and didn’t say a word…interesting!
So the Easter Musical took up tons of rehearsal time for those involved but was so AMAZING! I was sort-of involved… At first I was listening to the musical rehearsals and giving input when asked and then I moved to helping with costumes but that was tricky for numerous reason. First of all, I don’t sew. Nor am I fluent in Portuguese and the ladies were working away giving me directions and I had no idea what they were trying to communicate. I felt like I was more of a hinderance than a help but they kept insisting I wasn’t –but then they would communicate that I could go watch the rehearsal for a while and they’d call me when they needed me (which they rarely did). HAHA! Oh well, I tried. There is one picture where I am actually sewing – it didn’t look great, but it served the purpose.
I also helped to make the stripes that were put on “Jesus” back for the Crucifixion scene. They were made from cottonballs that were pulled really thin, then glued on and then painted with red nail polish. The effect was surprisingly real under the lights. While I was making them, I thought how strange that I’m literally making the stripes for the show and how my sin put them there as well 2000 years ago. Extremely humbling…
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A month ago today I arrived in Brasil and now I’m taking some time to reflect on what I’ve learned. One of the main things is that life can be really, really enjoyable when I’m not going at break-neck speed all the time (even if it did take me at least a couple of weeks to adjust to a slower pace). At times it can be a struggle – an example of that would be a rehearsal for a musical that in The States would’ve probably taken between 3-5 hours, here, took 8 – but I love that even though it ended after midnight, they still took some time to pray. They really are examples of what it looks like to love God and love people.
And, I really do love it here… Love the people. Love what God is teaching me. Love conquering the challenges that each new day brings. Love learning the language. Love it! It’s not all peaches and cream, but the good outweighs the bad for sure!
Also, I now have a roommate from California. She arrived on Friday and good news -she’s really cool. Her name’s Corrie and she’s about my age. I’ve decided It’s nice to have someone to chat with at the end of the day or to venture out with during the day. We’re learning together and we’ll keep learning I’m sure…
Thanks to anyone and everyone who has prayed for me over this past month! I so appreciate it and need it!
I lost the connection in the middle of the upload…
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