June

Exodus of Americans
June, I’ve found out, is the month when many Americans leave Brazil for vacation. I am one of the few WorldVenture persons left here at the moment! In addition to vacations, a number of families from the international church I attend have also left for new ventures elsewhere in the world. A special send-off service was held where each family shared about where they were going, what they would miss about Brazil, and prayer requests. Families were going to Dubai, Nigeria, Australia, Canada, and the US. One of those families leaving were my good friends the Riley’s, who have returned to Minnesota after spending four years in Brazil teaching at PACA.

Telecentro
Thanks to generous contributions, the Telecentro has been able to have an antenna, cable and other items installed to bring the internet into the community center. It is now operational – praise the Lord! The library has also been able to have software installed and a person has been contracted to enter the book information in to the database and organize the library.

Activities at Vila Andrade
Two used computers have been set up for the kids and they are enjoying learning how to use the computer and playing games.

Break dance classes have been started by some local youth.

Devotions

English Class

Some of my English students have been learning about favorite things, and got to share in class about their favorite things (in English of course!)

Douglas (11)

Favorite color is green
Favorite food is hamburgers
Favorite subject is English

Fernanda (10)
Favorite color is pink
Favorite food is pizza

Favorite subject is English

Lar Batista
The children recently put on a program for their mom’s, and they continue to be busy with various activities until July, when, even though school takes a short break, the students continue to come for a more ‘relaxed’ program. They also received a donation of clothes, new tennis shoes with wheels, and jump ropes, which they enjoyed looking through and picking out new things for themselves.

Festa Junina
June is ‘Festa Junina’ time in Brazil, and many schools had events celebrating the festival, which is for St. John. The school by my apartment had their celebration last Saturday, so I went down to have a look, as it was difficult to ignore the music playing all day! Below is a picture of the one of the dances the children performed. The "quadrilha" features couple formations around a mock wedding whose bride and groom are the central attraction of the dancing. The men dress up as farm boys with suspenders and large straw hats and women wear pigtails, freckles, painted gap teeth and red-checkered dresses, all in a tribute to the origins of Brazilian country music, and of those who immigrated from the countryside to cities.

May

Lar Projects
The Lar orphanage is in the process of building new homes on site for the boys and girls. The roof needs to be installed on the boys home in order for them to move in. Below is a picture of a current dorm room and the new house.

Here is Tiago smiling in front of the new tiles for the roof; wood is needed to finish the roof. Brothers at the Lar.

Vila Andrade

The children's project received new tables for the lunchroom and the kids love them!

Rehal (from USA) working on the library books.

Mothers's Day

The children from the Compassion project and the church children from Vila Andrade all prepared songs to be presented to their mom's on Mother's Day. Some of the mom's also sang during the evening service, and prayer was given for each of them and their children. Below kids are learning their song with "Reggie the Clown" and giving their presentations.

Music Program

Another project run out of the Morumbi church is music. Children from three different locations come and are given free instrumental and choir lessons. They recently presented a recital.

English Classses

My students continue to plug away at English. Recently I had a day of "stations" at the Lar, where the students moved from one activity to another during the class period. They listened to a book on CD, read to me, looked up words in the dictionary, and did phonics sheets. They had fun! I also have a brilliant new seven-year old student named Jennifer (below left) who is a joy to have in class (and she can barely reach the top of the desks!)

Students at Vila Andrade

Girls will be Girls
New friends Juliana and Rehal at my apartment on one of the Brazilian holidays, and Rehal and I in front of a Barbie (yes, Barbie!) display at one of the malls.

Passion World Tour
Brazilians love to have a good time, and having a good time praising Jesus is even better. Here are some pictures from the Passion World Tour in São Paulo, with crazy, loud Brazilians!

April

Friends at the Lar

It is quite easy to make friends quickly at the Lar Batista orphanage. Below are photos of Nanci from Minnesota, who helped out in the sewing room and visited with the kids, "Tio" or uncle Curt (Kregness), who had a difficult time parting with some new little friends (as they did him), the co-director of the Lar, Maura, with the youngest child here, whose mother sadly is in jail, and me with my buddy Kaique.

Speaking English at Vila Andrade

English classes have begun at the Vila Andrade Project, and I also teach some of the girls from the church that I met when we went to camp together in February. They are a fun bunch of kids to teach!

Sites arounds São Paulo

My friend and fellow-missionary Elisabeth and I visited a neighborhood in São Paulo one Saturday afternoon called 'Liberdade.' It is a one of the larger Japanese communities in the area, and this year is the 100th anniversary of Japanese immigration to Brazil.

"Marching" On

Improvements Continue at Vila Andrade

The upstairs area of the Vila Andrade church is nearing completion. The computer lab is set up and classes are being held there. The library room has shelves and books, though help is needed in getting it in order. The Pastor and staff have new offices and there is additional classroom space, along with new bathrooms. The improvements are making a positive impact here. I am starting English class at this site for some girls who attend the church, as well as two classes at the Compassion sponsored project.

Easter at the Lar

The story of Easter was presented to my English classes using the 'Resurrection Eggs' . The students were eager to find and open the eggs, make a craft and decorate cookies (something they don't do here in Brazil!) for an Easter 'Festa'. And they learned to say 'Jesus lives' and 'Happy Easter' in English as well!

Easter in Brazil

Easter seemed to be a less celebrated holiday than others celebrated here; many Brazilians consider Good Friday a somber day, but Easter Sunday I didn't see much celebration. The big Easter item that is found in stores is the giant chocolate Easter egg. Inside these eggs you can find more chocolate treats or toys.

I was blessed to celebrate Easter at a wonderful service at Calvary International church with friends!