Andy's Fourth Birthday

Andy turned four on November 26, less than a week after we moved into our new house.  Because his birthday fell on a Wednesday, we took advantage of the fact that we would be at the church to have his party there after the evening class.  A lady from church made his favorite cake - chocolate with chocolate icing.  I bought some balloons and hot dogs. When we arrived at church for the study, there were several people waiting to help me put everything together for his party.  Because I was exhausted and it was about ninety degrees, I was only prepared to blow up some balloons.  They assured me that balloons alone would never do, and they broke out all the party decorations from the church closet and arranged a very festive room.  They also cooked the hot dogs and prepared the drinks.

We expected about twenty people to stay after the lesson for his party.  Not only did everyone from the church stay, but we had several visitors celebrate with us as well.  In the end, it was closer to fifty.  Fortunately, we had enough hot dogs, drinks, and cake for everyone - all of which was served to our guests by other church members.Then came the presents.  They showered Andy with gift upon gift. 

Everyone seemed to have a good time, especially Andy. 

I was very grateful for all the help I received from the diligent church members who were as interested as I was in seeing Andy have a great birthday celebration.  Because I was so hot and tired from the relentless heat and recent move, they took it upon themselves to run the whole show.  I was able to take a few pictures and sit under the fan for most of the time.  Despite my pitiful state and thanks to our church family in Natal, Andy had (in his words) "a weally gweat pawty."

Last night we went to Geraldo's house.  He lives about twenty minutes outside of town in a very humble neighborhood.  Since his baptism a couple months ago, he has been trying to get all his neighbors to come to church with him.  Some of them have come but others are afraid of church because of past emotional or financial abuses they've witnessed in organized religion.  Others simply can't afford to take off work or pay the bus fare it would require for their families to make it into town.  So John had the idea to take church to them.

We scheduled to meet at five o'clock.  We picked up some bread, ham, cheese, and drinks and made it there at about 5:30.  The rest of the crew showed up at about six.  We actually got started closer to seven.  That's par for the course around here. 

There were about ten adults present, including Geraldo's wife Socorro and Francisco, who now lives with them.  John talked about the importance of community.  He explained to them that God comes to us in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  He also made the point that we can best understand the Bible if we learn it as part of a community and not try to understand it all by ourselves.  He introduced the idea for a weekly study, in which we will read together through the book of Mark, that will start next Saturday.  The group seemed very receptive and welcomed us back.
The kids, who numbered about the same as the adults, played together in the house and watched a video while we talked on the porch.  Jonah and Andy had lots of Portuguese practice.
Afterwards, Geraldo fired up his popcorn machine and we all hung around talking for a while.  We're very excited at the prospect of sharing the hope we have in Jesus with people of Geraldo's neighborhood - people who, as he tells us - need the hope and purpose he now has.

Halloween Party

The kids love Halloween, but Brazilians don't celebrate it.  So we took advantage of the fact that LST throws American themed parties for their English students and put together a Halloween party that was fun for the Americans and educational for the Brazilians.  

Jonah and Andy were Power Rangers: 

Mom and Dad got in on the action too.  With a little creativity and some simple materials we became a butterfly and a butterfly catcher: 

Which worked out well with Cris's flower costume: 

Whoa, it looks like that butterfly has had one too many flowers already.

Here's the rest of the gang making some last minute costume adjustments before the party:

We started the evening out with a mummy wrapping contest.  Each team had about two minutes to make a mummy with toilet paper:

The judges chose this this scary mummy as the winner:

The prize?  Well, chocolate of course.

Then we had a parade of costumes to show off our creativity and to judge the best costumes:

The woman at the well took second:
And this hillbilly family won first place:

The prizes were chocolate and more chocolate.  We wanted the Brazilians to get a feel for what Halloween is all about.

Andy gets it.  His favorite part was definitely all the sugar:

Jonah's favorite part seemed to be this Jedi costume.  He followed this guy around like a stalker, asking him about every detail of his outfit.  I know what the boys will be next year.

Towards the end of the evening, we served hot dogs, popcorn balls, and other sugary goodies.  Then everyone went trick-or-treating at the classroom doors of the church.  

Boy, Oh Boy, Oh Boy!

We're having another one.  I must admit, I was looking forward to the possibility of pink lace and ribbons around here but I am absolutely thrilled that we're having another boy.  John threw his arms up in the air and let out a whoop like his team had just won the Superbowl, so I guess I don't have to tell you how he feels about it.  

Now we just need a name.  Andy is sticking with Jack, which we kind of like, and Jonah has suggested Skippy, which we kind of don't.  The floor is open to suggestions.     

Jonah's Birthday Party

Jonah turns seven on October 16th, but we had his party today so all his friends could come.  He wanted a Ben 10 party so I made this cake:

Here's the birthday boy, wearing his first present of the day - a Ben 10 Speedo:

Jonah was very excited to run down the road and greet his first guests at the bus stop:

Plenty of friends showed up and it was a great party.  I wanted to have a record of all the kids present so I asked John to help me round them up and make them smile.  Notice the only two kids who aren't cracking up at John's antics:

We had churrasco (Brazilian barbecue), beans, rice, corn bread, and salad:

Jonah opened some presents:

We sang the lively Portuguese version of "Happy Birthday" and ate cake:

Jonah clowned around:

While Andy hung out with his girlfriends:

The kids enjoyed the pool all day:

And last, but not least, we popped the candy balloon, which is like a Brazilian piñata.  First, you spin it:

Then you pop it:
And the kids go wild, falling all over each other to gather candy.  Well, most of them.  Notice Andy standing behind the chair on the far left while Marisa hands him candy under the tree:

In the end, Jonah was exhausted, a little sunburned, and extremely happy: 

He said he had a great party, and he's apparently already planning for the next festivity, because he asked if tomorrow was the day to go trick-or-treating.

Our Weekend Cookout

We had some people over this weekend for food and fun at our community pool. 

Geraldo showed up with his entire family and his popcorn cart.  

It was free popcorn all day long.

And some of us were especially happy about that.

The kids enjoyed the pool.  This is João and Irvaine (dancing), Jonah's best Brazilian buddy:

Jonah also likes Irvaine's sisters, Isabel:

and Ingrid:

While Andy prefers to hang out with the older women (Catherine and Andressa):

There was also some playground fun.

And food and conversation.  This is Osmildo and Marta with John:

and Catherine, Carol, Jonathan, and Edvan:

This is Meyre:

Andressa, Lacy (an LST reader from the US), and Catherine:

Cindy and Greg (also from the States):

John and Roberto:

Tális and Renata:

And Andy's new friend Carlos (also 3):

This boy and his dog Peanut gave the day two thumbs up: