Papa's Visits to Potential Wheelchair Partners in “Pretty Rocks” and Juazeiro (9/30/18)

While mom was holding down our hotel room in Petrolina, I also visited two “potential partners” in the region. Both look promising in that they are the only resources to help people in the interior SW region of Pernambuco and NW region of Bahia.

There is so much need in the interior regions of the states in Northeastern Brazil!

We tell the “sea star” story a lot. We may not be able to make a difference in the lives of all the sea stars that need help, but working with partners in the communities, we can help a lot more than either of us could alone.

There is a similar story we heard when in the Amazon last month. There was a large forest fire that was causing animals to flee the jungle. One little hummingbird would fly to the river, fill his small beak with water . He would then fly to the fire and spray his water.

All of the jungle animals made fun of him. They said “You are so small. You can’t make a difference.” The little hummingbird replied, “Perhaps, but at least I’m doing my part.”

Of course, in Papa’s version of the story, all of the large birds of the jungle joined together and followed the hummingbird’s example. They may not have stopped the forest fire, but they prevented it from spreading to their homes in the rest of the forest.

The moral of the story is that if we work together to do our little part in our family and communities we can make a big difference.

 Lastly, I visited a community day-care center (run by a private foundation) in Petrolina that takes care of 500 poor children (ranging in age from “new born” to 12-years old) each day so that their parent or parents can work. The parents pay R$5 per day (US$1.25), if they are able. 

Children arrive at 7:00 am and are picked-up by 7:00 pm. The children receive breakfast, morning snack, lunch, afternoon snack and dinner. They also go to pre-school and school there and receive medical care.

The foundation was started by a wonderful woman. It is staffed by a group of women teachers and women volunteers. Where would this world be without those female “angels” among us?

I love the quote beneath the sign: It reads: “A pessimist sits down and feels sorry for them self. A optimist gets up and acts.”

Nice example of faith!

Class of 1 year-olds.

I’m sure glad dads in the Handerdum Clan have employment that allows their wives to magnify their eternal stewardships! There is nothing more important for children and society than having a mom and dad in the home.

Gma and I are very blessed by our children, wonderful daughters-in-law, sons-in-law, grand pets and, especially, our darling grandchildren!

Luv,
Papa