Unexpected Vacation

This new work place of ours, Erval de Cima, has given us a couple challenges in the last few weeks. This already impoverished city struggled when almost three weeks ago they ran out of water. They have a pump that provides water to a majority of the homes and a piece broke and for a reason that I still don't understand it took them almost a full three weeks to get this piece and fix the pump. It was hard for us to go three weeks without work but it was even harder for the people; as they got desperate they made their way to nearby rivers to wash clothes and take showers. Without water they were unable to cook so PETI was out and we were given a mini vacation in which somehow we found a way to get ourselves busy and accomplish other things. It was just this past Friday that we finally returned to work and got to see the kids again- it was a happy reunion!

 

We were lucky enough to still pull off our first trip with the kids during this break. We planned a trip to a nearby city, Telemaco Borba, where we have lived in past years. It was our plan to bring the littler kids to the bigger city just so they could experience the environment of a new city that had more to offer. However, almost a month ago when we were running around between bus companies trying to figure out the cheapest option for our trips, we met a man who lived many years in the States and who actually grew up near Erval de Cima. He heard us talking with the people at the bus station and decided to wait and talk with us afterwards to practice his English. His name is Leo, and he has ended up being a HUGE help to us with planning for this trip. I don't know if I have ever met a Brazilian so willing and wanting to help others the way he does. It was him who found us the cheapest bus for our trips and it was him who turned our small half day trip into a full day trip that the kids loved. Our trip was this past Tuesday and we took 29 kids from the ages of five to twelve. We picked the kids up at 8:30 in the morning and it took us one hour to arrive at a club in Telemaco called Alvarada. (This was an aspect that only happened because of Leo; he is a member here and he told the owners about our project and they allowed us to come in for free!!!) We lathered the kids up with sunscreen and they spent the next two hours playing in the pools. There was a baby pool where many of the younger kids stayed and splashed around and there was also another pool with a small water slide. The majority of the kids do not know how to swim so me and Megan had to stay in the water and always stay on guard. It was such a fun afternoon seeing these kids run around in their underwear, as many didn't have a bathing suit, and just have the biggest smiles on their faces the whole time. We basically had to drag them out of the water to eat lunch but they sure did have an appetite. After lunch they had some time to play on the playground before the bus came back to get us and we went to the 'zoo' that they have in Telemaco. The teachers were super organized and they had their individual groups; the kids were great about staying together and not once was I worried about losing a kid. We spent a good half hour walking around the zoo looking at all the animals they had- the teachers I think got more excited than the kids! :) We then went to ride the cable car which scared a few kids but everyone got on the same one and everyone had a great time as we passed over the river. It was a quick 2 minute ride and we rewarded the kids after with 2 ice cream cones each! After a long day in the sun with lots of excitement and food, these kids passed out on the bus ride home. It was such a fun day and so much of it we owe to our friend Leo; God put Him into our lives and he has already blessed us such much with all the help he has given us!

 

Last Monday was my 21st birthday, an age that is not as special here in Brazil but Megan did a great job making sure it was an extra special birthday! The weekend before we traveled to Maringa, a nearby city that we travel to every year, to celebrate. I think Megan told literally every person we met that it was my birthday weekend which led to some interesting costumes and experiences! We had a great time together and really enjoyed meeting new people and also getting to hang out with some friends that we have in the city. We came home on Sunday and discovered that they were without water at PETI still so Megan and I woke up early on Monday, my birthday, and spent the day walking house to house with another teacher to get permission from the parents for their children to go on the trip the next day. It is a good thing the town is so small and we were able to get to everyone's house before taking the next bus home. I was then able to open the package my family had sent me and inside was a birthday in a box- I had balloons, cake, icing, candles, etc. We quickly made the cake and enjoyed a little piece of heaven :) Then that evening after my Muay Thai class we went to a restaurant and enjoyed the bottle of champagne that my parents had sent and we drank out of beautifully hand made wine glasses that each of my siblings had decorated for me :) It was amazing birthday that continued even late into the week as on Friday when we went back to work they planned a special surprise party for me. I had no idea it was coming but one of the teachers had made a giant cake in the shape of two hearts and all the kids had made cards and posters for me.. it was such a special surprise! The only thing missing to make my birthday perfect was my family!

 

Me drinking my champagne from my personalized wine glass

 

 

I am so glad that PETI is back in session and that we are able to get back into a normal schedule. This unplanned 'vacation' that we got threw us off a bit but we are ready to jump back into things and continue our classes with the kids. Our time is quickly winding down as it is almost the middle of November now. Please continue to pray for all the kids we work with and we will remember to keep all of you in our daily prayers as well, especially Katie who is normally in Brazil with us but this year is back home planning her wedding :) I am so happy for her and Bryan! May God continue to bless the beautiful couple. Sending our love to everyone back in the United States!