I'm not sure if I could love this place any more, unless I was able to bring my family and friends to be here with me. I know I already mentioned how great our neighbors are but I just want to reiterate just how helpful and welcoming they are. Weekends are rough around here with little to do and not a lot going on and they have been wonderful about welcoming us to join them for breakfast, lunch, or just to hang out. They have allowed us to use their washing machines multiple times along with their internet for Skype sessions. It makes me stop and wonder just how welcoming people are in the States to new people in a neighborhood or church community or just any setting really.. I notice a big difference and I am so grateful to God for placing us on a street full of such kind people.
A few minor concerns about the safety of the house we live in- with all this moisture the walls of our house have become damp and actually quite a bit of water runs down them. Due to this moisture in a closed space, we have found quite a bit of mold in our kitchen, on the ceilings and walls, and under our sink. Sunday we spend all morning scrubbing with vinegar to try and get rid of some of this, especially since Megan has an allergy! So far though God has taken care of our health.
After Mass Sunday night we sat in on the group of young people from the church; it was more for high schoolers but they want us to participate and incorporate some of what we do in the States with our young adult group. It seemed a bit unorganized and a little chaotic but I think its great to see some young people with a desire to gather together and at least sing a few songs of praise. We will see where our role falls with them but if nothing else, it will be nice to be a part of something from our sister parish.
This has been our first full week of actually working 3 days in Erval and 2 days in Imbau which is crazy that almost a month has passed since we have been here and yet we are just now getting into a routine. At Erval this week we have started both photography and capoeira classes. Our first photography project was the idea of the PETI coordinator- we are going to make a calendar of pictures that shows off their town and then we are going to sell them for the year 2013 and the money that is earned will go towards buying stuff for them at PETI. I am really excited to see how it turns out! Megan did a great job trying to teach the basics of capoeira to lots of younger kids who really were struggling to pick it up. They enjoyed so much more the handstands and cartwheels aspect of the class even in the very muddy grass. We have also done quite a few house visits to get to know the stories and situations of these new kids- some of them are really heartbreaking. You would think I would get used to it but that has yet to be the case. :( We have come up with dozens of ideas for where donations we have received can be used so once again, thank you for all your support, both monetary and with prayers.
At the old PETI in Imbau we are searching out in what ways we can best be of assistance as they are pretty on track. We plan to continue with English on Tuesday, something they are faulting, and on Thursday's Megan and Matt are going to take advantage of the computer house the government has opened for the public to teach the kids the basics of computers instead of just allowing them to search youtube videos and play games. We are also having a meeting next week to discuss the large amounts of money that are sitting in the bank in a PETI account that we can use for a variety of supplies and materials that the teachers are requesting. It is a complicated story and process but hopefully if we keep insisting that it be used, we will finally be able to make some improvements and allow for changes in the system at PETI. It is great to see these kids still but it feels more like we are visitors as opposed to teachers with them. This is actually a great thing, meaning they are doing so well on their own. I know it is early, but I am already having feelings of wanting to be in Erval maybe 4 days a week instead so we feel more productive but who knows.
I have been praying the rosary weekly with Dona Rosa and yesterday as we were sitting drinking coffee we talked all about the sad reality of how little emphasis is put on families these days and the truth that so many families without God at the center are crumbling. With that in mind, I have been praying a lot more for not only all the sad, broken homes and families here in Brazil, but for all those around the world. May God continue to bless all of you and your families back home!
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