Telling stories....

Okay, everybody, stay with me.

There are plenty of pictures at the end of this post!

I thought I'd tell you a story today....

When we got here we were given a gift.

Warren was handed the keys to the "beast".

The "beast" being a old, white pickup truck that they have here at the campus.

We are thankful for it.

It gives us some freedom.

We don't go into town often but it's nice to know we can -

without having to ask.

So, we made a couple of trips with others following us -

we felt okay about it but they know the "beast"

so I think they needed to know Warren could handle it.

Handle it is exactly what you have to do.

The steering is exceptionately loose

so it feels and looks like you are all over the road.

The first time I was nervous

but Warren did great.

Soooo, one day we decided to give it a try alone. No babysitters.

We drove to town, did some errands, had some coffee and made the last stop,

the bread store.

While there it started to rain.

Not slowly, not by the bucket full, but rather by the kiddy pool full!

Where had all the water come from within minutes?!

We waited out the worst of it

but then decided we had to take off.

Now it was raining hard (which was an improvement)

and so Warren was being extremely careful.

We were just about out of town when it happened.

The "beast" started backfiring and sputtering

and died.

Sad. Very sad.

We were able to pull to the side of the road but were not in a safe location.

We did not have a phone

or phone number even if we did.

We sat there about 45 minutes praying it would start.

At last, it sputtered

and

died again.

Great! Another couple minutes wait and we would have it made!

oops. dead battery.

Warren got out of the truck and walked to a car wash that we could see.

He had someone call for a taxi.

It came.

The driver didn't speak english but somehow we let him know what we wanted.

We didn't have an address.

Warren kept motioning for him to continue on.

A couple of times he pulled to the side of the road

and communicate that he wanted to make sure we knew where we were going.

We did.

Then we came to the lane.

It's a long (very long) red dirt (at this time mud) road.

And it's not flat and graveled.

And it is slippery when wet.

Very slippery.

Finally Warren told the guy to turn around and we would try the better way in.

It's longer but with a little bit more gravel.

At least part of the way there is more gravel.

When we got to the red mud again the taxi driver stopped

and motioned for us to get out.

He had gone as far as he was going.

We had about 3/4 of a mile yet!

In the rain on red muddy roads.

I was in flip-flops.

I'm sure we were a sight!

We made it safe and sound.

The truck was towed.

(we were told afterwards that it does this all the time in the rain!)

And we got some good laughs.

Yes, laughs.

We find that it's usually the little things that trip us up.

We are still thankful for the "beast". We just haven't driven it since.

We have gotten stuck in the ditch coming home when we were with some friends.

The guys got out and pushed us out.

It just part of living here, they say.

I thought I'd show you some pictures of the roads that we travel on out here by the campus.

This is not the one I just told you about

but it is the one we take to church on Thurs. nights.

Warren and I decided to walk it this morning in order to get some pictures.

It's quite the ride at night

and especially during/after a rain.

starting out.

rutted but not too bad.

beautiful country.

it's hilly in this area.

see the person going up the hill?

that's where we are headed.

coming to the bridge.

I try not to think about it

when we are crossing.

Warren's resting his arm on the railings - NOT

another hill

notice how the car is on the wrong side of the road?

that's because he is looking to drive on the best part of the road.

that doesn't leave many options.

See what I mean?!

(Dad, your little ruts in Nampa aren't looking so bad anymore, are they?!)

We made it through the worst part.

Now we are in the village on the other side.

A very poor neighborhood.

The roads are flat but still the red dirt.

The sign around the property telling people not to enter.

Things are stolen there all the time.

The building.

Welcome to Thursday night church.

Just so it doesn't rain before we head back....

We walked so we are taking the short cut home

which means going across this river on the log.

I wasn't so sure

but I did it.

through the grassy meadow

At last, a good road!

We're just about home.

It's a New Day

Really, most of life, whether it is on the mission field or not, is full of ordinary days. They are the hard ones to write about because there is nothing to tell. I did laundry today. I mopped the floors. I cooked a meal. I slept till 7:00. I went on a walk. etc. All things I could have done at home in Cleveland, Tennessee. Those are the hard days. Ordinary - could have lived it in my own house, in my own country, with my own family, kind of days.

Then there are the amazing days where you know God did amazing things but you can't write about them because they involve people and confidences. And people (hopefully) read this blog....

Sometimes you just don't know what to say and yet you have so much to say.....

Today started out as an ordinary day. I woke up an hour earlier than I wanted to, made coffee and breakfast. We headed down to the campus for the morning devotions and then I went for a walk with my friend Ashley. We talked. And talked. And talked. It was iron sharpening iron and before we knew it it was lunch time.

At lunch we found out that they were moving classes downtown. Did we want to go? Yes, we did. Warren hung out with the school and 3 of us ladies hung out in town together. Bonding.

What a great afternoon.

Came home to dinner and then one of the students and I made brownies together. She can't speak english and I can't speak Portuguese but we communicated with the little that we both knew and had a great time. We WILL do it again.

Then we had a ladies study at our house. It was so good to get together and share from God's Word. I'm loving these ladies.

An ordinary day turned anything but.

I'm hoping for another ordinary day tomorrow.....

Back in the Saddle....

We are back in Brazil!!! We arrived on Feb. 8th in Sao Vincente where we were able to see Larry and Karen Lyon, our former missions pastor from Calvary Corvallis.

It was such a great time. We were able to attend two of the church service (Warren taught on Sunday evening) and also a neighborhood outreach for children. Someday we hope that God calls us to spend some time in that city of Brazil! We got a day of encouraging the pastor and his wife (Celso and Tati) on the beach! It really was a wonderful time sharing with one another while we enjoyed time together in such a beautiful place. We also were invited to the Assoc. Pastors house (Cristof and Kelly) for good food and fun games. It was a joy to be there.

We've been in Campo Mourao for a little over a week now and came at a time when the crew was in full swing getting ready for the Carnival Retreat. We joined in the fun (and work!) of getting ready. IT WAS AMAZING!

There were great times of sharing, praying together, good teachings, counseling, kitchen work, bathroom details and just renewing good friendships.

I was reminded why we do this.

Come so far at a cost to us.

Because it's worth it.

The people are worth it. And we love them so. To have seen so many faces of people that are now dear to us from so many different cities in Brazil. Well, there are just no words except we are blessed and God is good.

I was able to teach a session for the ladies on Monday afternoon. All I can say is that if there was any good in it, it was the Lord! I love to be with the ladies and God uses those times to stretch me. I always find that He has me share about things I am going through in my own life.

On the whole it was well received.
On the last afternoon we had a baptismal service which is always the highlight of the weekend. Praise the Lord for what was done there.

It was sad to see the buses pull out, taking all back to their cities but we went to bed that night feeling very excited about all that we had seen God do and so very blessed that we got to be a part of it.

We are now settling into ordinary life here. If you can call it that! We got moved into the apartment that will be our home for the rest of the time. It feels good. Today we were able to spend a good portion of the day with the director of the camp and his wife. It was good and we see a great friendship developing even though they are young enough to be our kids!

The camp staff (us included) is considered on vacation since the campers left of Tues. afternoon and believe me it is needed. It was A LOT OF WORK to have 280 people to attend to.

We spent the entire afternoon with our friends at the coffee shop in town (first time!), Warren just got back from a swim and we are headed to church soon. No, this is not an ordinary day here but it's been good. Very, very good.

Loving on Shawna

My status on Facebook last night was this: My day went something like this: 1. no internet in the morning. 2. no electricity when I got back from the gym 3. no shower 4 wrong bus so it took 3 hours instead of the regular 1 1/2 hours 5 bird poops down my back as I am waiting for the light to change at the corner - no change of clothes with me 6. It was raining.
BUT the day wasn't bad - you can't have a whole bad day!

And really the whole day was not bad.

There were things that at the time

didn't feel so fun but that I could end up laughing about

and just recognize that all in all life is good.

And it makes for good stories. I love good stories!

What I didn't share on Facebook was that the day began

with something even worse.

Something that made my heart feel heavy all day.

Something that caused me to ask God "why?".

When the internet finally came on

(and before it went back off again!)

I saw a post and learned Shawna had cancer.

Stage IV.

I don't know Shawna that well myself

but I know more about her then just to say I know "of" her.

She was Kellie's maid of honor.

(I think she has played that role in a lot of weddings

because she is the kind that becomes a friend to all.)

She's been at my home a few times.

I was blessed to get to hear her teach the woman at our church

several times with an amazing ability to share her love for Christ.

I know about some terrible, beyond what anyone

should have to go through,

kinds of things that this young woman has already endured

and came through shining for Jesus.

I guess you would say I admire her from a distance.

And now she, along with her new husband and children,

are about to begin another hard battle.

Literally a fight for her life.

God does not answer my question of why.

I don't know why

but I have a feeling that He

is going to shine brightly in her life during this time.

Please join us in prayer as we hold her up

to the one who knows the answer to my question.

The one who loves Shawna more than any of us.

It makes bird poop on my shoulder and down my back pretty laughable.

If you would like to follow Shawna's fight against cancer

this is the link: http://lovingonshawna.com/

Our Dental Experience in Brazil

Yesterday I had a wisdom tooth removed by a dentist here in Brazil. I had prayed and asked God for a dentist because the tooth had broke while I was in the states and the dentist there had told me it would have to be surgically removed. He suggested I do it in Brazil because of the cost and our finances :). I didn't do it last year because of the knee problems I was having so I knew I couldn't put it off any longer. Anyway, I prayed and one day when I was at the gym here at the condo, I met a lady working out that was very helpful and wanted to talk "English" with me. Turned out she was a dentist! She gave me all the information (phone number, e-mail, etc) and at some point stated that she wanted a recipe for cookies (they are well known here!). That weekend I made some and decided to take some to them . They ended up having us (with the rest of her family) for Easter dinner! This past weekend we made arrangement for dental work.

She picked us up at our apartment building (we're in the same complex but different buildings) and planned to take us to work with her the whole day. She said she had a few other appointments (her own father being her last) but most of the day she had reserved for us. BUT first we needed to stop at her parents house as she didn't have water in her apartment to take a shower that morning after working out in the gym!

Wow! Her parents house was amazing! Custom built for them about 13 years ago in this wonderful (expensive) neighborhood that we had no idea you would even find in Rio. The details put into their house was, for me, so fun to see.

BUT I am way off the subject, am I not?!!!

They took their time showing us around, gave us breakfast and made us feel at home while our dentist, Marianna, took her shower. Her mother was trying to learn English so we had fun with that as we did a mixture of Portuguese and English to “try” and carry conversations with her.

Then off to the office – We got there and she had a few other appointments so we just sat in the waiting room and waited. Then she got to me. I had also told her that at some point we would like our teeth cleaned and checked for cavities, etc so she did that first for me.

No cavities!!!!!

No, she doesn't quite use the same techniques as the dentists in the states but all was good. Then it was time to pull the tooth.

She did an x-ray. Then she numbed up the mouth. She had to do that several times before the job was done because that tooth didn't want to come out!!!! She did have to do the surgery, just as the doctor in the states had told me. It didn't hurt. It was just a lot of pressure and being uncomfortable as she twisted and lifted on it. (She had to go underneath since there wasn't enough on the top to grab).

Finally it was out!!!! She stitched it up, cleaned me up and I went back to wait while she worked on her dad and Warren. I must add that while she was pulling the tooth her father took Warren out to lunch!!! They are a great family!

Warren didn't have any cavities either!!! And it always feels good to have your teeth newly cleaned!

We were done. It was time to pay. She wouldn't take anything although she would like a package of some of her favorite things from the states. I asked for a list. She is being kind. It will be one great box when I get done with it! She also handed me a bag of fruit and yogurt to take home so I would have something she thought I could eat last night. I couldn't but I'll explain why coming up.

Then we headed for home. It's a long ways. And first she needed to stop and pick up her son, stop at the store (she came with a bag for us, again, of fresh bread, and icecream for me!) Then we headed to the pharmacy to get pills for me. Lots of pills. I'm not sure what they were all for but by the time we got home I couldn't wait for the pain pill. The numbness had started to wear off and I was hurting. Bad. And not because of the missing tooth but because of my tongue. She had told me afterwards to be very careful not to bite my tongue and I thought I was BUT I have this huge sore on the side of it where I either bit it or got it caught in my partial.

Still, today, I can barely eat and it hurts so bad to talk because it rubs on my teeth. Warren said it looks like ground beef!!!! The mouth does heal fast though, right?!

I did eat a little breakfast of oatmeal this morning (so I could take the pills) but I won't be talking much today. A good thing Warren is going to Alex's for the day to work on his cabinets again.

Marianna has invited us to a birthday party this weekend and her father wants to take us sightseeing on Sunday morning (church is in the evening). We also have plans for me to teach her how to make cookies :) and with all the other things she said she would like us to do before we leave, well, there just won't be time.

I know that God answered my prayer for a dentist. I was just asking for a good one. One to do the work, at a good price, with expertess. He did that. But then, we always ask too little of God.

He also gave us a family of friends.

(I went to take pictures and my battery was dead. Bummer.)

Smile!

We were sitting at the table at a suco (juice) bar when I saw her approach.

She was headed straight for us Americans, after all, we are an easy target.

They believe that all Americans are rich.

What she didn't realize was that we've seen it before.

Poor, dirty beggers are all over the streets of Rio.

Some simply beg and others have small things to sell.

She had an object made out of a soda can that she was peddling.

We didn't even know what it was suppose to be.

She was young and dirty.

I recognized the smell of having not showered for some time

as she got closer to us.

It always makes me sad. But in this case it especially bothered me because of what I saw.

When she opened her mouth to speak I saw that she was missing her two front, bottom teeth.

That impacted me because 30+ years ago I lost my four front,

bottom teeth in a car accident.

I was able to have crowns put in right away so, unless I tell people, no one knows.

But this past year I had some problems with one of them

and so I am in the process of having a implant done. Muito money!!!!

Which means, right now, I am wearing a partial and I hate it!

And I complain about it.

My tongue is constantly playing with it and no matter how hard I try

to train myself to leave it alone I haven't been successful!

I'm also very self conscience of having it out (with one tooth missing)

even in front of Warren.

Really, I don't even like to look in the mirror without it! (vanity, I guess)

Even though we are having to watch our pennies these days we found it to be a necessity to have the implant done....

And then seeing her I realized how much I still have.

How much I take for granted.

How much I assume is still my right to have.

I've told many people here in Brazil (when asked about our economy in the U.S.)

that we Americans (myself included) really don't know how to be poor.

We can be losing our jobs, our income, and still drink our fancy coffees, have our own car, buy processed foods for ease, have cable TV, own our computer, central heat and air-conditioning, own a washing machine and dryer, membership at a gym, kids in sports or dance, good meals out, etc because we've grown accustomed to it. We know no other way. We think we should be able to have and do what we've always had and done.

And then I saw her teeth, or rather her lack of teeth, and it has me thinking.

There are things I just assume I should have. Almost like they are owed to me.

And forget how blessed I am.

I forget to be truly thankful.

I forget that maybe I don't deserve it after all.

I forget that having all of my teeth is a gift.

I am a rich American.

For Today

Warren's brother-in-law died last night.

Totally unexpected. Too young to be gone. Too soon for all the loved ones that remain here.

I watched a good friend of mine go through the grieving process after losing her husband and

felt that I learned so much from watching her...

but now, once again, I have no idea what to say or do. Death is too hard on the people that are left to live life. There is no words that you can say to someone that will bring comfort for a loss that feels as though it is strangling them.... where they are almost wish it would.

Here we are in Brazil. Feeling so helpless and far away. We had thought the day could come

when we would lose someone we loved while we were at such a distance. But the thought of it

was so much easier than the reality of it.

I had the sudden rush of wanting to be with my family. Not wanting to lose a second of time with any of them. Of course, this isn't possible. Of course, even if there were not such a distance we would continue living life in and out of each other's presence.

But for today, I will treasure more the lives of those that I love so much. I will pray more for them and take joy in their voices on the phone, their comments on Facebook and just in my knowledge that they are a part of my life.

For today we will mourn the loss of a man that made Warren's sister so happy. A man that was a great father and grandfather. A man that was friends with all.

I can only picture him smiling. I can only picture him living life to the fullest.

This is the man we shall mourn today.

Rest in peace, Dennis. You are greatly loved and will be greatly missed.