78 "Angels" to Brazil
Hey, this is my first chance to write from Brazil. Although it's only been since Friday that I've traveled and since Saturday that I've been here, it already seems like a long time. I don't really know why. I'm having fun even though the travel was laborious. I only got about 2 hours of sleep on the plane. The flight was completely full. We had 78 "angels" travelling with us--high school kids from a Baptist church in Tampa, FL, who were spending their spring break going on a mission trip to Salvador, Brazil. They were all wearing bright orange t-shirts and they were all a little fiesty. But the flight was a blast. Such energy and such love for the Lord!
I was "chosen" by Customs this time. This was an even more welcome treat after getting fingerprinted and photographed after about 12 hours of travelling. Yeah, the guy was letting all those angelic teenagers through and then he took one look at my bags (not the ones under my eyes) and pointed to the other line for me. They made me open my luggage and explain certain electronic things that were inside. He finally gave up. They're trying to get tax money out of me.
Then I had a "terrific" time at the Sao Paulo airport after that wonderful welcome. I was scared of being robbed like before. I was by myself. I noticed at least 4 greasy-looking men who were watching people very closely. I got a little lost--couldn't find my gate because it wasn't marked! I was thirsty and hungry but didn't want to try exchanging money or using U.S Dollars. I was supposed to call Daniel collect from a pay phone, but I couldn't get it to work. Well, it worked, but the woman was giving me information in fast Portuguese. That was about all I could understand. All of this led to a sobbing episode. But God is good. I got distracted as I started looking through the bag that was supposed to have been my carry-on bag. They made me check it because of the full flight. When they searched it, they messed up everything (it was organized very well, if I have to say so myself) AND they had opened up my pill bottles and my medicines and vitamins which had been so carefully organized were all over the bag. Thankfully, I got everything back in order before the plane took off to Brasilia.
We had a lovely time in Brasilia. We visited a couple--Helio and Rose. He has been a consulate officer for Brazil. They have been stationed in Saudi Arabia and the U.S. and may be coming back to Atlanta for awhile when the consulate office opens. Anyway, their house is like a museum. Wow! Stuff from the Middle East, Asia, and Brasil. They showed us all these exotic fruits they grow in their yard, fed us, but most importantly they let me take a shower after travelling. That first shower after a long journey is a treasure!
As always, I'm thanking God for the little things--air conditioning in the car, lots of exotic fruits, "free" wireless internet that flows to the 15th floor (thanks to the little internet cafe across the street), remembering things that I noticed on my last trip--such as the big sky and clouds, seeing old friends, and making new friends like a Brazilian lady I sat beside on the plane who has lived in the U.S. for 27 years.
Tomorrow, we go to Caldas Novas and won't be back until Thursday. I have no idea if I'll be online or even want to be. Not that I don't miss you, it's just sometimes wanting a total break from life as we know it. I know you understand.
I had a cool idea for a story while I was listening to the Bible on CD Friday night. I wrote down some of it and hope to flesh it out better while here. It has to do with some of our soldiers in Iraq praying for protection, and finding themselves in the Garden of Eden. Anyway, it was wild.
I may get online in the morning, but it's before most of you will be online, which is a new concept for me. Blessings to you.
I was "chosen" by Customs this time. This was an even more welcome treat after getting fingerprinted and photographed after about 12 hours of travelling. Yeah, the guy was letting all those angelic teenagers through and then he took one look at my bags (not the ones under my eyes) and pointed to the other line for me. They made me open my luggage and explain certain electronic things that were inside. He finally gave up. They're trying to get tax money out of me.
Then I had a "terrific" time at the Sao Paulo airport after that wonderful welcome. I was scared of being robbed like before. I was by myself. I noticed at least 4 greasy-looking men who were watching people very closely. I got a little lost--couldn't find my gate because it wasn't marked! I was thirsty and hungry but didn't want to try exchanging money or using U.S Dollars. I was supposed to call Daniel collect from a pay phone, but I couldn't get it to work. Well, it worked, but the woman was giving me information in fast Portuguese. That was about all I could understand. All of this led to a sobbing episode. But God is good. I got distracted as I started looking through the bag that was supposed to have been my carry-on bag. They made me check it because of the full flight. When they searched it, they messed up everything (it was organized very well, if I have to say so myself) AND they had opened up my pill bottles and my medicines and vitamins which had been so carefully organized were all over the bag. Thankfully, I got everything back in order before the plane took off to Brasilia.
We had a lovely time in Brasilia. We visited a couple--Helio and Rose. He has been a consulate officer for Brazil. They have been stationed in Saudi Arabia and the U.S. and may be coming back to Atlanta for awhile when the consulate office opens. Anyway, their house is like a museum. Wow! Stuff from the Middle East, Asia, and Brasil. They showed us all these exotic fruits they grow in their yard, fed us, but most importantly they let me take a shower after travelling. That first shower after a long journey is a treasure!
As always, I'm thanking God for the little things--air conditioning in the car, lots of exotic fruits, "free" wireless internet that flows to the 15th floor (thanks to the little internet cafe across the street), remembering things that I noticed on my last trip--such as the big sky and clouds, seeing old friends, and making new friends like a Brazilian lady I sat beside on the plane who has lived in the U.S. for 27 years.
Tomorrow, we go to Caldas Novas and won't be back until Thursday. I have no idea if I'll be online or even want to be. Not that I don't miss you, it's just sometimes wanting a total break from life as we know it. I know you understand.
I had a cool idea for a story while I was listening to the Bible on CD Friday night. I wrote down some of it and hope to flesh it out better while here. It has to do with some of our soldiers in Iraq praying for protection, and finding themselves in the Garden of Eden. Anyway, it was wild.
I may get online in the morning, but it's before most of you will be online, which is a new concept for me. Blessings to you.
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