My neighbourhood

Thought you might like to see the neighbourhood where I'm living in São Luis. 

Next post will be about the family I'm living with.

This is the view looking left from our front door and down the street. 

 Yesterday I went for a leisurely walk around the 'hood with my host, Flavya.

  The places with firmly closed shutter doors that looked stark and uninviting from the outside in the evenings 

 were wide open and thriving businesses during the day.

  We walked up to the corner where the road divides

 and went into the little store on the right to buy some bananas.

Randomly, this guy, a woodworker, reminded me of Heidi's grandfather in the mountains near Maienfeld in Switzerland. This guy and the shop owner, where we bought the bananas, were not wearing T-shirts. It is seriously hot and humid here every day and so it seems that it is quite ok to to be casual at work!

 The tiny houses fascinate me. Some are two stories

 and some are not

Some have tiled facades 

and  some don't.

 Some are painted in bright colours

 others are not.

But without exception they are heavily protected with wrought iron bars on all windows. This is really handy for hanging the washing out to dry.

 This is the old rice factory where Flavya's grandmother used to work in her younger days

 

and just a street corner that I liked!

A weekend in Santa Helena Part 2

We met Francisco when he was a volunteer at the Escola da Vida program a couple of weeks ago. He pastors a small church in Santa Helena and invited us to visit because he is Presbyterian and so am I.

The church was having a Hot Dog Festival that Saturday night.   

We didn't know what that was to begin with, but began to understand as the night wore on. Hot Dog Festivals are a common way to raise funds in churches throughout Brazil. Apparently they may not always sell hot dogs but the name remains the same.

 During the afternoon the stage was set up across the entire street

in preparation for the night.

  Musicians from the Presbyterian church plus other visiting musicians played and sang good music,

hot dogs were sold,

and a Baptist pastor from the town gave the message.

Afterwards, the young people danced (and so did I) 

and then the obligatory photo. Francisco, the pastor, front left.

On Sunday morning we attended the Bible class and Pat and I were invited to share some of our story about our involvement in mission.

After lunch, our nap and a shower (as is the custom in Brazil), we went visiting at the hospital with people from the church,

and visiting people in their homes. 

The church is building a home for this single mum who is a member of the church. 

In the evening I was asked to speak about my journey with God and to encourage the congregation to be more outward focused, considering wider mission. I spoke about God as I had experienced him in my life. He is a Redeeming God, a Faithful God and a Generous God and he still has work for me to do as I grow older. He has something for each of us to do.

And then Pat and I had been asked to sing for the congregation.  When asked, my response was that I didn't think anyone would be blessed if we were to do that. They insisted and so we sang a verse together of the old hymn 'Great is Thy Faithfulness'. I had requested that be sung in the service as it has been part of my story and I had referred to 

Lamentations 3, verses 22-24

'Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,

    for his compassions never fail. 

 They are new every morning;

    great is your faithfulness. 

 I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;

    therefore I will wait for him.” '

A weekend in Santa Helena Part 1

There are lots of photos from our time in Santa Helena, so I thought I'd make this into two blog posts - Part 2 coming soon.

Right now we are in São Luis in northern, equatorial Brazil.

Last weekend we went  to Santa Helena,

five hours by ferry
(here Pat and I are pictured with Rafael, our interpreter and Miguel, our driver)

plus car from São Luis.

When we walked off the ferry we were offered crabs for sale (tied together in bunches so they don't walk away!)

and coconut water. We opted for the coconut water. Deliciously fresh straight from the shell.

 After the ferry ride we journeyed on past little settlements,

  

and homes

complete with electricity
 

and TV antennas, 

a school,

 a small country church

and places to buy snacks.

I think this guy might have been waiting a while. He doesn't have a lot to sell.
 

 

We were warmly welcomed in Santa Helena with lunch cooked by Francisco's mum. Thank you Maria for your gift to us of great food and friendship over the weekend.

Next blog post about our time with the church in Santa Helena.

Johnny's house

Yesterday we went to Johnny's house for lunch.

  I introduced you to Johnny when we were part of the Escola da Vida program a couple of weeks 

ago. He's the leader of YFC in São Luis

and he also pastors a small church in a poor area of  São Luis.

Johnny is married to Fernanda and they have two children - David and Maria Fernanda.

  Lunch was delicious with a torta de frango (chicken pie), beans (feijões), rice (arroz) and salada.

This appears to be a very 'together' family whose company I enjoy a lot.

David was home from school because he attends school in the mornings.

Lidia, Johnny's assistant who you met last week, was there with us as well, and Pat's and my hostesses - Tatiana and Flavya.

 And little Maria Fernanda wasn't keen to have her afternoon nap with all the company in their home.

 Before we left we talked to Johnny about his ministry and challenges in life and then prayed for him and his family. 

The photo isn't very clear, but they loved the koala tea towel and drawstring bag with Australian animals on it that we gave them before we left.

Thanks so much Johnny and Fernanda. It was a special time with you.