A Full day in Brazil

Sunday July 17, 2011

Ahh what a refreshing feeling to wake up and realize that you are in another country! The possibilities of the day are endless and adventures are guaranteed! Luckily, I didn't set my alarm until 9am, so I am well rested and ready for the day. And I do have to admit, the beds in the hotel are wonderful, so getting up is difficult. Still, I make it into the shower and down for breakfast.....

A little unsure of what to expect, I opened the doors and find a smorgasbord of food (yes I used the word smorgasbord)! None of this continental breakfast....fake orange juice and perhaps a stale bagel and cream cheese. No, the Brazilian breakfast is amazing. There are petite slices of deli meats and cheese with a vast array of breads and rolls for little sandwiches in the morning. There are scrambled eggs, bacon, CHEESE BREAD (so good), for your more traditional meals. There are also fresh and sweet pineapple, papaya, and melon. Along with a small selection of cereals and sweet breads and other sweets. I have often wondered what the 'continental' part of a continental breakfast was....now I know...it means cheap!

BUT WAIT....there's more!

Along a side table, there is freshly squeezed pineapple and orange juices along with BRAZILIAN COFFEE! If you have not had Brazilian coffee, you have not fully experienced what it is to be awakened by a fresh cup of caffeinated goodness! They say ignorance is bliss and although you may THINK your morning joe is tasty and dependable, the Brazilian coffee is like nothing you've ever tried! Brazilian coffee is sweet and strong and I consider it the oil that revs up my motor in the morning and gets me ready for the day!

I sufficiently stuff my face and down nearly 3 coffees. It was as I had not eaten in a week and my tongue took on a life of it's own and wanted to taste every bite! I managed somehow to pull myself from the breakfast table and waddle back to my room. Thankfully there is an elevator ;-)

I went upstairs and had to resist the urge to lay back in bed. I checked my watch and realized it was time to head downstairs for our first devotion. The entire group joined to rally our spirits and our faith to prepare us for the task ahead! Today was the day we would see the worksite where the chapel was to be built!

We all climbed in to a passenger van and were told it was only a 'short ride' from the hotel to the worksite.....it tooks us 30 mintues! Happy to have finally arrived, I slide open the side door and leapt out of the car. The first time seeing the worksite, one would think...'There's nothing here!' And it's true! There is only a concrete slab with about 3 feet of concrete/masonry to outline the walls and the position of the doors. But the excitement grows when you look at this simple masonry box and realize that in a few short days a building, a chapel will be in its place!

I looked around and before you know it, we were led to church member's house for some coffee and to meet a handful of the members of the church. The coffee and snacks they prepared were wonderful! We all were enjoying our food when Oseaus began to reveal to us exactly what the catalyst was that created the confusion before our trip began. He was visibly shaken and emotional, but after hearing his tale, I could feel the conviction of our group rise! We all knew that this was a much needed place for this new church to gather and we had been lead to the right place!

It seemed like only a few minutes had past, and we were whisked away to the church service at another member's home! The Brazilian homes I have been in may not have been much to look at from the outside, but what they do have inside, they take care of! They are proud of what they have and incredibly warm and eager to open their homes to us! It was a great service and everyone was so eager to shake our hands and give us hugs. You could feel the gratitude that filled the room when each member walked through the door! It is so incredibly exciting to know that you are a part of something special and wonderful! I can not wait to start tomorrow....