A Taste of Brazil

Wow, I have gone a long time without writing on my blog.  It isn’t because I don’t have anything to write about.  My computer is sick. : (   I have spent all day uploading and fixing up some photos.  Bob has been back from the USA for 2 weeks now.  The doctors found out he has a 2 inch tear in his intestine and because of that he had a severe infection.  He has been on antibiotics for 3 weeks now.  It appeared that he was healing but now his symptoms have returned.  Please pray for him and for us to find an efficient doctor and we can figure out the cause of his illness.  I am praying that he will not become as miserable as he was before he went to the USA.

On Saturday we went to a Churrascaria right here in Tallinn, Estonia!!   This is a Brazilian restaurant where the waiters go from table to table with grilled meat.  Well, this wasn’t exactly authentic – we didn’t get very much meat – but the atmosphere was so wonderful!!   We met about 15 Brazilians and spoke Portguese the whole evening.  There were about six guys who play soccer on the Estonian team.  It sure made us miss our Brazilian loved ones!!!  The culture here is exactly opposite of that in Brazil.  I miss the warmth of the Brazilian people.  I miss Saturday morning art class at our church – working on projects and chatting with the ladies.  I miss our ladies meetings.  I miss our church family coming to our home for dinner.  I miss the Brazilian culture that allows you to go to a friend’s house without an invitation ( and tea and cafe are set into instant motion ).  I miss the young people who had such a desire to serve the Lord.  I miss going over to our friends houses for hours at a time and them wondering why we couldn’t stay longer.   I miss taking my kids to a park and chatting for an hour or two with a stranger … walking away with a new acquaintance.     We would love to make a trip to Brazil next year.  The pastor of the church is doing a great job and we would love to see our beloved church people.  Our girls were born there and so techinically we have two Brazilian children ( and we have permanant visas!! ).

The waiter/cook’s name is Jorge.  He is from Sao Paulo.

Sophia enjoyed her linguica ( sausage ) and both her and Sarah devoured the authentic Brazilian black beans and rice.

So, Bob wore his Brazilian tee shirt which drew the Brazilians attention.  He speaks perfect Portuguese and Brazilians always ask him what part of Brazil he grew up in because he does not have an accent.  Me??  Not so much!!   ( They ask me what part of the USA I am from : ) )   I really enjoyed speaking Portuguese with a lady at this restaurant, though.

These are four of the guys that play on the Estonian soccer team.  They are doing pagode – making music with what ever they can find.  The guy on the end has rice inside of two plastic cups.  They couldn’t carry much of a tune but it was a lot of fun.  They kept motioning for our kids to come up front and do the somba for the crowd.  : )       So, for our Brazilian loved ones that read/look at this blog …  Joelma, Ysmine, Fernanda, Eunice, Katia, Bernice, Nivea, Alana and Bia  ( forgive me if I have missed anyone ) …   You are in my heart and my daily thoughts and prayers.   I love you all.   Bracos e Beijos.