Bella took this photo of a hawk out our back window. I saw a hawk just like this being eaten by an anaconda in our pond a few month ago. I have no ideas how the 6 foot anaconda got the hawk in the water. The snake would unhinge his jaw and put the hawk’s head in his mouth, then the snake would wrap around the body of the hawk and squeeze. Then he would unwrap and try to swallow the whole bird again. I was only about 10 feet away, on the shore of the swampy water.

I had a dream a week ago about God’s protection. We were talking on edge of a pond about the dangers all around. I said, “Yeah. This big log in the water here could be a “jacaré” (think alligator). Suddenly the “log” opened an eye, and then a powerful jaw. Marcos, Ivanildo’s boy, was playing on the edge of the water. We quickly pulled him away from the edge. But the whole sense of the dream when I was sleeping and when I awoke was how often we are very close to great danger but we are completely unaware. God is protecting us, and we don’t even know to thank Him. I think this happens very often.

Saturday morning early our dogs left jacaré remains on our porch, including the jaw. I think some unknown neighbour ate that one, put the carcass and remains in a bag and tossed it over our fence for our dogs to discover.

Yesterday a bunch of youth went for a picnic and swimming at the big river on the edge of our property. Our girls and Monica were among the group. They all went and jumped into the river. Monica’s four year old son Marcos jumped in with the group. But the water was over his head and he couldn’t swim. Someone dived in and pulled him off the bottom of the murky water. We try so hard to be wise, to live safely, and not to live with fear. 

“It was not by their sword that they won the land, nor did their arm bring them victory; it was your right hand, your arm, and the light of your face, for you loved them.” Psalm 44:3 

“but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31