It’s become quieter here in Brazil. We’re in the “study phase”. Today, we’re actually fasting for the week of prayer and the sermon, Nailson will have in the Baptist church of his parents on Sunday. We already went to this church twice. Last Sunday, Nailson’s pastor from the States, who was visiting us for the weekend, preached there and yesterday, Arturo had the prayer meeting message and I sang in German. Theology students are never on vacation… and as long as you’re with them, they’ll find something to do for you, too :) but I love challenges so it’s fine with me. My worship in the Adventist church Wednesday night went well although I was pretty nervous about the language part. I’m improving with my portuñol though =)
I decided to do a “picture blog” this time to give you more than just one visual impression. We already have so many pictures though, that it’s hard to choose just 5 or 6. Arturo has a nice camera and is a good photographer, too, all of the pictures in this blog are his (used with permission). Did you ever see the flower of the cotton plant? Well, now you did! I didn’t know that is was that beautiful but it really is!
Maria on a horse… could you believe that? And I didn’t even fall off… lol, but one time, I almost did. First, I was riding this nice dark brown horse and had a saddle with a little stick that you could grab if you were about to fall off. The problem I had with that horse, were these thingies for your feet. You couldn’t make them short enough for my legs and so I was afraid of going really fast because I would always slip out. After losing my fear, I actually wanted to go faster though, so Nailson gave me his horse. He had tamed it himself and it really responded immediately. I only kicked it very softly… and it started to RUN! I wasn’t prep
ared for this fast reaction and wanted to grab that “emergency stick”… it wasn’t there… Must have been funny to watch me trying not to fall off – but nobody was paying attention so they missed the fun… =)
Nailson on a cow… just crazy! He first hunted and caught it with a lasso, got it down with his hands and then… rode on it until it threw him off. Cowboy!
Arturo… enjoying an orange coconut. Nailson climbed the palm tree like a monkey to get us these ones. We learned some things about coconuts, too. The “older” ones have coconut water with gas, for example. The ones that have already fallen off the tree for quite a while have little “apples” inside to nurture the new sprout. These “apples” have a funny taste. Spongy coconut. I like the little ones but the bigger ones taste strange.
Pastor Paulo… taking off first (with a flight instructor; tandem flight, not alone!). We actually weren’t in the air for a long time – but I loved it. Don´t know when I will get the opportunity to go again, but I would do it immediately. Running towards the abbyss - and then just taking off.
It´s already Friday again.
Can´t believe it! Last Friday, we had the reception of the Sabbath in a coffee plantation together with Nailson´s Grandpa. Afterwards, we walked up a hill and had a beautiful sunset. It was great. I would have liked to just stay outside and sleep right there.
Even if you shouldn´t have wonderful sunsets - I wish you a blessed and peaceful Sabbath to recharge you batteries, espcially spiritually!
God bless,
maria
Mmmmh... Maybe I shouldn't promise anything anymore... It's not that life in Germany is too boring... (sometimes it is, though...) or that there wouldn't be anything to tell. It's just... don't know. I'm spending too much time online writing e-mails or keeping in touch with people via facebook and stuff so I don't feel like blogging on top of that. On the one hand, I like the more personal contact with people, on the other hand, I LOVED living a more "reality-based" life with just writing a blog once in a while to let people know that I'm still alive. The truth is: I can't wait to go back to South America! For several reasons... It'll take some time though before I'll be able to go back. I'm planning on summer 2010. I guess I'll continue blogging as soo as I leave Gemrnay again. So if you want me to continue earlier - just make a donation for my flights... ;)
