Papa's Macapá Amapá Amazon Adventure (10/3/18)

For some reason, my Senior Companion and our Senior Wheelchair Coordinators (Elder and Sister Dow) weren’t excited about visiting an indigenous island in the Amazon River called Santana while we were in Macapá during the first weekend in September for the CREAP (Centro de Reabilitação Especializado de Amapá).  It may have had something to do with bugs, humidity and hot equatorial sun. 

Our three young wheelchair program trainers (all in their mid-30’s) that were with us were excited for an outdoor activity so I made a call on Friday to a guide service and we were on our way Saturday morning (9/1/18).  

What was supposed to be a four hour “ecotour” turned into a 10-hour Amazon adventure!  We headed out at 10 am Saturday and made it home late evening (8 pm) after being temporarily marooned on the river.  (It’s really good your mom wasn’t with us!)

Our adventure team: Brian (Utah PT), Ana (Recife FT), Juliana (Manaus FT) and me (AP - “Aches & Pains” Senior Missionary).  

Typical river town

Onto the boat

Town beach

Off for a hike.

So this is where Açaí comes from! A type of palm tree!

Yep!  Little hard purple berries that are later squished up and made into all sorts of purple foods (looks like purple mashed potatoes), drinks and desserts.

Tarzan is alive and well! The local indigenous kids love to climb trees to get açai and swing on vines. Our grandchildren would love the Amazon! 

Samaúma trees (also known as Kapok trees) are enormous. They are the tallest trees in the Amazon. The Amerindians use the trees to send messages. They are filled with lots of water so they made a distinctive “thump” that can be heard for over a mile. 

After our rainforest hike, we enjoyed a late afternoon lunch of Dourado fish, mandioca and other interesting local delicacies. 

Big river!

The river fluctuates by 45 feet during the year due to the rainy season and snow run-off in the Andes. 

Outboard motor problems!  Thank goodness we were’t “up the creek without a paddle.” The boat owner called his son on the radio to have him come out with another boat to pick us. 

Sunset over the Amazon

Water levels are still falling (June - November) so many trees are still in the water.

Our little aluminum river boat with motor problems. 

Back into Macapá port. All is swell that ends well!

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

Our Week in Petrolina (9/29/18)

We just returned from our latest trip to Petrolina with our Cordona project (quail). We were asked to visit all 27 families who participated in the project. We arrived after midnight Thursday night. Visits started the next morning, early! I came down with a cold on the flight, so I stayed home and Papa made the visits with local priesthood leaders. Saturday afternoon was the closing activity for the project.... learning to slaughter the birds. Each family donated 3 quail each. They tried to get me to help, but I was lucky to take a few pictures. Papa was a good student! Afterwards they had a huge feast! Papa took me to McDonalds!!! I couldn't eat one of those cute little birds! 

Slaughtering the cordonas 

Cleaning them

Sunday I still felt pretty good, so we went to church.... especially since we were the speakers!! I just had to share my testimony, but Papa gave a great talk.

Afterwards, we went to the Bishop's home for dinner.

Monday morning I woke up with pinkeye and an infected throat, so I went back to bed again and Papa went off to make more visits. He got everything done, so we were able to change our flights and return home two days early.

1/2 birthday party for our boss, Vítor on Friday! (With our Bem Estar team.) 

Love to all,

Papa and Gma

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.” - Martin Luther King, Jr.

Just a few more photos from Papa:

Yes, “Spyderman” is loved in Brazil and helps his mom raise Codornas. 

View looking south across São Francisco River to Juazeiro, in Bahia State. Petrolina is in Pernambuco State. Notice the rocks in the river. They are everywhere.

Even though the name “Petrolina” makes it sounds like there should be oil deposits or refineries in the região, the name is just derived from “Petras Lindas” which mean “pretty rocks” in Italian. The first Catholic priest in the region was Italian. Since the Nordestinos drop letters from their words, “Petra Lindas” became Petralina and finally Petrolina. (That explanation was for Bex.)

Adroaldo now has 1,300 Codornas (after starting with 38). He sells and consumes 100-200 Codornas per month and sells 20,000 eggs per month. He is a stone mason by trade, but in the absence of construction jobs, he now supplements income and diet in his family of 5 by raising Codornas. The stake technical experts (Monica and Salviano) are to the right of Adroaldo. (Notice the delicious Graviola fruit and grapes on the table.)

17 of the 27 families succeeded in the project.  The others decided it wasn’t for them for a variety of reasons. 

The white powder on the floor is to prevent “pichelingues” (lice) getting into the birds. 

Humble but happy Latter-day Saints

Three Week Letter (9/17/18)

Dear family,

This letter is again, way overdue. There is so much to report on after traveling so much, the last 3 weeks. We are home again and getting back in the swing of things. I think I just sat and stared at the TV the first day we were home…. So nice to be back.

We met John and Marcia Dow at the airport in Sao Paulo on August 21st (they had just flown in from California) and flew with them to Manaus (in the Amazon). That evening we had a little free time, so the 4 of us went to the Manaus Temple. It was beautiful inside and out. We really enjoyed our time there. On the 22nd, we met with the Abrigo Amocyr Alves, an organization that really cares about children with disabilities. They offer all kinds of services, including ballet for the little ones in the city! We are excited to partner with them.

That afternoon we flew to Natal and met with ADEFERN, (advocates for the disabled). Alvaro Martin (Welfare Assistant in the Coordinating Council) will be following up to learn more about possible projects there.

The next day, the 23rd, we flew to Vitoria da Conquista to visit CEMERF. This organization is very well organized and we think they will make a great partner for the WHO Training and wheelchairs. We also met with the Stake President and the Stake Public Affairs and Welfare people. They are wonderful and very supportive of the program and the part they will play in it.

We flew back to Sao Paulo on the 24th. We were back at our apartment long enough to wash a few clothes and get all of our supplies together for our training that started the next day in Ribeirao Pires. We were able to pick up a car from the office to use to transport all of our stuff and the Dows to the hotel the next afternoon. Papa had arranged all the airport transportation and logistics for all the participants, so we didn`t have to worry about that. This training in Ribeirao Pires was a special one. It was training for LDS PTs and OTs. They had already had the WHO training and now were going to be trained to be trainers. Everyone started arriving on Saturday. The 12 participants came from all over Brazil and the 2 trainers for the course came from Utah. Everything and all the preparations were perfect. We started on Sunday with church. Lots of our friends from APRAESPI came too and stayed for the 3 hour block. They seemed to really enjoy it and even participated in the meetings. AND one of their friends spoke in Sacrament meeting! Pretty cool.

Our local Humanitarian Representative, Allesandra did a wonderful job arranging a delicious lunch served after the block. There were about 50 of us for lunch. The Stake Presidency and their families joined us. It couldn`t have been better. We had a 4 hour block for classes and then we enjoyed a soup and sandwich dinner that had been prepared for us as well. AND she had made huge bags of snacks for everyone to take back to the hotel. She was amazing.

The training was perfect in every way. It was an amazing experience. APRAESPI hosted the 4 days of classes and provided transportation, lunch each day, and snacks. We were well taken care of. Tuesday evening after class everyone stayed for a Pickleball tournament…. Guess who`s idea that was? They had so much fun learning to play and everyone got to play on the 2 courts. After, APRAESPI provided a soup dinner! We were freezing, so it was perfect. The whole thing was a huge success and now we have 12 in country trainers to help move this program forward.

We headed for home Thursday afternoon to return the car and pick up supplies for our training the next day in Macapa. (Oh and wash a load of clothes!) Dows, Brian, Juliana and Ana met us at the airport the next morning for the flight. I think we all slept the whole flight.

Things didn`t go as smoothly in Macapa. Our partner decided the day before that they couldn`t house the training or provide food… so we were scrambling like crazy. We moved it to the church, got things arranged for lunch that day and located a shop to keep us supplied with drinks and snacks. This has been the largest class we have worked with (18) and I see why we stay around 12! It was hard to keep everyone on the same page… and off their phones! Saturday afternoon Papa was able to take Brian, Juliana (who lives next to the Amazon River in Manaus and had NEVER been down it) and Ana on a boat ride on the Amazon River over to an island to visit with the people there. They loved themselves. They swam, ate a meal, harvested some acai berries and had quite an adventure.

Monday, lunch arrived 2 hours late which blew our schedule. One of the class members volunteered to take care of it for the rest of the week and we had no other problems. Sister Dow and I spent a lot of time going to the store across the street to buy water and soda….and food for 2 snacks a day! Twice we walked about a mile to a mall because we needed things like tablecloths for the tables etc. There, we were able to pick up some more exciting snacks… we were way hot after these trips!! One afternoon Papa and a couple others from the group were able to visit another Indian Village that Papa will tell you all about later!!

The only unfortunate thing that happened was that someone came into the kitchen at the church and Sister Dow had left her purse there, just for a few minutes and someone stole it. They found the purse and the wallet with only the cell phone and money gone. That was a blessing!! They had a tracker on the phone, so they took off, got the police and went to where it was. (20 miles away) By then they must have removed the battery because the alarm wouldn`t go off and the police could do nothing. That afternoon we went to the fridge and all the soda was gone!! The next day it was the yogurt! BUT the training was a success.

We flew home on the Friday the 31st. Sunday our Marriage and Family Relations class was to start again so Papa worked on that and I cleaned up and shopped. Felt so good. Our class ended up being canceled…we are now teaching it and the new Church History class. Don`t know how that will work, but it should be fun.

This is all for now. Sorry it is so long, but I made up for not writing sooner!! We leave again next Thursday for Petrolina. We will be visiting with all 27 families that received cordonas (quail).

Love to all,

Papa and Gma

~I`m always doing things I can`t do~ - Someone!!

The Manaus Temple. It was a beautiful evening!

Sunday dinner in Ribeirão Pires 

Brian, a trainer, working with Caren

More wheelchair training in Ribeirão Pires 

Our friends in the kitchen. They took great care of us. 

Stair training

Ramp training

Timed speed challenge!

Class time 

Dinner at the mall next door to the hotel

Pickleball fun!

Game over!!

A grateful new wheelchair owner

A tearful thank you (Jennifer)

Where participants were from in Brazil

Papa's Boat trip with Brian, Juliana and Anna 

Tree climbing experts

Açaí berries harvested from the tree

Water fun... Polar Bear dip???

Macapa trainers watching the interview of the training on the evening news. 

Prayer circle before lunch each day

Learning to customize wheelchair cushions 

Marcia and Gma with new friends

Visit to the Equator our last day 

Trainers, Juliana and Anna

Graduating class in Macapa!