July 9, 2008

Our favorite guests joined us yesterday. The monkeys were playing in the trees again but this time closer to the house. The students were just as excited as we were. The way the monkeys were looking at us I almost expected them to pop out cameras and take pictures of us.

For those of you who are curious about our living conditions, here’s some information for you. There are 17 of us sharing 3 bathrooms with 2 showers. So far this has been working out well and there is only occasionally a line at the bathroom door. We are split up in to 4 bedrooms with bunk beds. The biggest issue with the bedrooms is the snoring. Thankfully this is primarily happening in the men’s bedroom so the women don’t have to worry about it. There are 2 cooks who come every morning to prepare lunch and supper for us. They are thrilled that we love their food. From a cultural perspective, we found out that in the state of Minas Gerais, where we are, if you do not have seconds on your meal then the cooks think you do not like the food. This has not been a problem for the team as we are thoroughly enjoying the food and are more than willing to have seconds.

The yard encircles the house and has many different fruit trees and other forms of vegetation. It has been rather cool here (approximately 40 F in the morning) so once the sun comes out we all enjoy being in the yard and soaking up the sun. The chickens and 2 geese haven’t quite decided what to do with all of the people who have invaded their space but they seem to be handling it well. Many of the students and team have been taking walks in the neighborhood. It is a very beautiful area. The one thing we are not used to is the hills. We are surrounded by them. The only way I can think of to describe them is to picture the steep hills of San Francisco. For those who live in flat areas this has been quite an adjustment.

The whole setting is perfect for an immersion program. We are secluded in our own little world and we all love it!

Many of you have asked how you can pray for us. Many of the students are homesick and are struggling with being away form their families. Please pray that they will be able to adjust to the separation. The team is doing well very well. None of us really want to leave this weekend. We have become so close to the students that it will be very hard for us to say goodbye. It will also be difficult for the students. It is amazing how much of a family you can become in such a short period of time. Please pray that God will prepare all of our hearts for the good-bye.