I've been thinking a lot about where we are and what we are doing!! I learned on our last mission that what I was asked to do required me to climb a very steep learning curve... locals could do many of these things faster themselves, rather than them having to teach me so I could then do it! BUT what I learned was, we are where we are and learning what we need to learn for a reason... it's okay not to be able to figure out all the "whys!" We are all part of God's plan for this earth and rolling his work out! He knows and will put us where we are needed. At home, at school, at church, everywhere!
In the D.R., Papa happened to be waiting in the right place to able to save a young man that was drowning and after had the opportunity to share his powerful testimony with him! That young man will never forget his words! Who knows what will happen next for him!
Recently Papa got approval for a way to fund humanitarian projects through out Brazil. He was the right guy in the right place for this to happen! Before, we would need to travel to the area in need and use our credit card to buy things, like 10 bags of dirt! Makes dirt very pricey when you add travel costs!
It is easy to see the difference Elder A. is making... My contributions are very small, but that's okay as long as I am doing what I am supposed to be doing!! That's my prayer everyday!
Our Wheelchair Closing Ceremony in Batatais was perfect! 355 chairs were delivered. We had the local church leaders representing the Church, but the TV station wanted to interview Papa! His interview was broadcast the next day! His message was well received! What was also cool about this closing ceremony was APRAESPI had about 7 of the physical therapists that were in our W.H.O. (World Health Organization) training a few months ago there to make sure the chairs fit properly and to instruct everyone on their new chairs! (All part of our training program they graduated from!). It was so good to see these friends again! Both of our wheelchair providers sent representatives to the closing... I was a little worried about that because they are competing for our business, but they got along well! That evening we were invited to a family's home for dinner! Great evening....great food! Papa had a blast playing soccer with the 11 year old Down Syndrome son! They are best buds now! We also received a large bag of a speciality coffee as a gift from another woman! (Our guard loves us now!)
One cute lady that was there told us her story. She developed a debilitating illness not too long ago and now needs a chair. She has to wear a neck brace because of the pain. A year and a half ago she started painting to help with her physical therapy. She learned how to paint on the internet! She had her work displayed at the Closing - She's pretty good! One of our wheelchair reps surprised her with an electric chair.... so sweet!!
We next headed to Franca for meetings with FEAPAES, another partner organization we work with. We had great meetings and met some sharp people! Things are happening!!
That evening we headed home.... We got tired, so ended up stopping in Ribeirao Preto for the night....great stop as there was a Sam's club a couple blocks from the hotel! I sweet talked Ray into stopping the next morning!
We were able to go into the office the following day... and it was so quiet! Almost all the senior couples were on trips and our good friends, the Moore's had return home to the USA to help care for their daughter and a premature granddaughter - we'll miss them!
Saturday Ray spent preparing a talk for Sunday.... he did a great job. After church we had a new senior couple over for dinner! 5 more couples will arrive in the next 2 months!
This week we traveled to Ribeirao Pires to get a garden project up and running. Did a lot of shopping and wrapped up a few loose ends in São Paulo today....we head back there on Friday.
We are happy we are home for Papa's birthday! Yes, he got his breakfast in bed... papaya, banana, raspberry smoothie! We had a feijoada lunch with 10 senior missionaries... I made a Texas Sheet Cake for dessert! It's been a good day!
Love and hugs to all,
Papa and Gma
"Behind every great man is a woman rolling her eyes!" - Jim Carrey
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| Ana Lucia (in orange) organized the entire Closing Ceremony! |
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| 2 of our favorite W.H.O. Graduates |
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| Papa telling the Relief Society President she was on the Closing Ceremony program to speak! |
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| Our artist friend and some of her work |
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| Our artist friend with her new electric chair - with Rodrigo, the wheelchair rep. |
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| Our physical therapist doing a demonstration at the Closing Ceremony. |
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| With Jonathan (wheelchair rep) in Batatais |
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| Birthday breakfast in bed! |
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| Birthday lunch with senior friends |
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| Our new friends at FAEPAES. Working with our partner organizations in Brazil is a highlight of our mission assignment. They do the "hard work" of identifying the poor and needy that have mobility needs. They also provide integrated rehabilitation services to prescribe, fit, educate, and follow-up with wheelchair recipients to help them become more self-reliant, happy and productive. |
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| From Papa: Your mother’s orchid is fully bloomed and beautiful. Fourteen blossoms in all. They will bless our mission apartment for 90 day then gradually make their way to compost and orchid heaven. I “feel” the orchid plant would make 14 wonderful corsages and has definitely made us happy. It was our first orchid plant ever! |
