Luggage Arrives

The story of the lost luggage is finally over. We had all but given up on receiving the luggage on Monday but about 8 o’clock last night it was finally delivered. Frustratingly there were things we had brought with us that were removed from our luggage somewhere during the delivery process. But in the big picture it was more of an annoyance and sense of violation than anything else. It almost seems like roadblocks keep getting thrown into our path but we refuse to surrender to them and press on. Hopefully Team 3 will learn from our adventure and will pack the things they need most in their carry-on luggage.

The weather continues to be cooler than we are accustomed to this time of year but still very nice. Light jackets or long sleeves are needed in the morning and evening but short sleeve shirts are all that is needed during the day; much like a sunny spring day in Michigan or Pennsylvania. I feel for our students from Guatemala, Cristy and Irene, who have found the weather to be very cold compared to their home. Late yesterday afternoon for our large group activity we were able to go to the university here in Vicosa. The campus is very beautiful and it is common for people from the community to come here to walk along the river. There are two universities here in Vicosa and the one closest to the CEM campus is an agricultural school. This week there is an agricultural exhibit on the campus. It would be similar to our county fair but smaller and without the animals or midway. Just like at home, there were car dealers and farm equipment dealers displaying their products. And, just like the county fair there were vendors selling ‘fair food’. Some of our team and the students sampled the churros. Picture a food similar to an elephant ear but tubular in shape and about 6-8 inches long. It is deep fried and was sweetened with cinnamon and sugar and the hollow part of the tube was filled with a filling. The most popular choices were either dolce de leite (similar to caramel) or chocolate.

We didn’t spend much time looking at the farm equipment but there was a building that was filled with booths. Much like a flea market, you could go from booth to booth and see the products that were for sale. Many of our team took the opportunity to shop for local items that they could take home as souvenirs and gifts. Jan (a teacher at CEM, the mission school helping us with the program) and her husband went with us and told us our team was spoiled because we had been able to leave the English Bridge house every day since we had arrived. But from here until our excursion on Saturday things will return to normal.

Continue to pray for the health of our team and the students and that we can overcome the arrows being thrown our way. I appreciate and am encouraged by the good attitude our team.

Blessings from Brazil,

Dan