Soccer and Volleyball 

The community comes together for the week-end before Christmas for a Children’s event, a volleyball game, a “Marrieds vs Singles” soccer game, and other similar festivities.


Via heads down the hill to help with the Children’s Christmas Event.

Bella serves in the volleyball game.

The Marrieds Team won over the Singles Team, so now the teasing will go on for this next whole year, about how the singles need to drink more milk, etc.


Two of these three boys are brothers. Their mother was murdered last year, so they live with their aging grandparents just outside the church gate. I get the feeling they would like to be done with childhood so they could earn some money, earn the respect of those around them, and make their way in the world. They always want to show me how strong they are, and how hard they can work, and the love to play with my cell phone. Unfortunately, I hardly have any time for them, and their story is common in our neighbourhood.

Cesar played soccer on the Singles Team.

Anni and Via spent a lot of time by the soccer field when they lived here.

Anni and Via are home for Christmas!

 

 

 

 

 

Natal = Merry Christmas

Even though Anni and Via have lived in Canada for three and a half years, when they come home for Christmas they still jump right in, and they can still speak Portuguese.

At the Children’s Christmas Party, Emma helps Aline organize an event.

 


At the Christmas Youth Service, Anni played the keyboard.


Some of the neighbourhood boys watch the Christmas play. Monica made the artificial tree in the background by recycling two-litre pop bottles.

 

Hibiscus Question

While red hibiscus flowers have yellow dots in the middle, white hibiscuses have red dots. Do you think God thought this through on purpose, or do you think He created a formula for hibiscus-flower, color-combinations, and then was Himself surprised at how beautiful they turned out?

A Good Reminder

Here is a devotional thought from Bella’s journal. Apostle Paul sets a high standard for us to follow, “when we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; when we are slandered, we answer kindly” 1 Cor. 4: 12b-13a.

Who is Your Neighbor?

Two of the Girl’s Group had birthdays. Bella, Emma, and Aline lead this group while Deanna is gone. This week I made several trips to the hospital with Bruno, who got his leg broken in difficult circumstances. His sister always comes along to help Bruno get through the hospital system. She waits with him all day, in some cases, even though she has 5 children and is a single mom. It turns out his sister is his aunt, and the mom of one of these girls (Bruno’s grandmother took him in as a baby. His mom lives across town, and doesn’t want anything to do with him). The grandma came over and told me more of their story this week. I find our lives being woven together with this family in more and more ways. In the book Christy, by Catharine Marshall, Miss Alice tells Christy that her “neighbor” is the person who is always being woven back into her life. I often think of that quote, and wonder how I can help the people God is weaving into my life.

Two Birthdays Are Celebrated!

Baptisms

Baptism, Igreja da Vinha, Maraba.

March 8, 2015