Our Time is Flying By So Quickly!!

We leave in less than five days!

We began our day at 8:15 this morning in Rita’s living room as Jim shared from 2 Peter 1:5-9, we discussed our agenda, prayed and ended in song.

Following our wonderful breakfast, we headed on over to the church to do boxes…..you can smell the sugar/sweet smell of melted candy as we approach the boxing area. This morning, we found that close to a half dozen of the church members were already working on the boxes. Today I worked next to Geraldo who had some real method going!! He was doing TWO boxes to my one. We must have had about 15 on the line today.

Jim and Barry finished the cabinet project upstairs and then joined us in cleaning boxes.

Barry's "Office Cabinet"... all it needs are the doors!

We were telling Joe that he now has managerial experience for his resume since he is in charge of the Samaritan’s Purse Box Cleaning Project. He has assigned carton carriers, carton un-packers, tape cutters, box cleaners, candy stuffers, box tapers, carton packers and carton re-locators. Of course we try to leave the box cleaning to under 5 minutes a box. There are some boxes that immediately get put aside. Most likely they were next to the outside of the container and getting the full heat of the sun in triple digit Recife weather! We just put these aside for later processing. Fortunately, there are not a lot of the really bad ones. We are all becoming experts on what is best to pack for which age group and we LOVE it when people double bag their candy!

"Working the line..."

There were people working on boxes from about 9 a.m. through 6:30 p.m. We only broke for lunch during which we celebrated Rita’s birthday (I won’t say how old she is but she is a LOT younger than I am!). We sang Happy birthday and the team presented her with a gift Charlotte & I had purchased before we left the States. Here was another case of God working and preparing the way: We had no idea of her hobbies, her tastes or the color scheme of her home. We wanted to get her something special just for her. When we first arrived, Charlotte and I looked at each other and smiled…..all around were various teapots, tea cups and tea things…..that was JUST what we got for her!!

After lunch we all went to “work on boxes”……but really, Charlotte & I went over to Vaninha’s house to help prepare for tonight’s surprise party. Her house was a hive of activity! Stephanie and Vaninha were putting the final decorations on the cake in the kitchen and Charlotte and I were soon put to work. The rest of the people there were preparing for tomorrow’s fundraiser for their mission trip in September. It basically is a swap meet or garage sale but they call it a bizarre. A part of the entry was used to sort all of the stuff that people kept on bringing by…..shoes, clothes and tons of other things. The spirit of the people in this church is just amazing…everyone chips in to help and there is always laughter and a spirit of joy no matter the task at hand.

Once again we had a wonderful time as we celebrated Rita’s Birthday. She really was surprised, but may have had a hint as we could hear the music as we approached the house. We got there around 8:45. In what we now see as very Brazilian celebration, there was plenty of food, laughter, music and fellowship.

Jim met Dr. Frank who speaks English and they spoke of many different topics. I was able to speak with a number of people. It is amazing how much the Spanish helps in speaking. I spoke with Edela, Lucina and Sandra, to name a few. They show so much patience as I struggle through the words….but I so enjoy connecting with them.

Throughout the evening there was singing, guitar playing and drum. The evening ended with the singing of hymns – the same tunes with us singing in English and they in Portuguese. The party did not wind down until after 11. Once again we have had an awesome day with many blessings and the making of many memories with our new friends.

Much love & God bless you all,
Betty

Phil with his birthday girl... check out that cake!!!

Valdiel, Dr. Frank, Phil and Jim

Some of the wonderful food!

Singing is central to Brazilian get-togethers!