Update from Brazil

I have now been in Brazil 2 weeks. I have adjusted to the new pace of life fairly quickly. Prior to coming here I was working 60 hr weeks, running, fund raising, and spending as much time with friends as possible. Now we have slowly integrated into Brazilian life meaning for the first week we spent more time at home then away so that we wern´t too overwhelmed by the language/culture/ministry sites. Now we are doing more and that is what I prefer. As far as fun things go our welcome dinner was a pizza rodizio (all-you-can-eat) including hamburger pizza, shrim pizza, stroganoff pizza, Portuguese pizza, strawberry and ice cream pizza, banana and cinnimon pizza. There were probably 35 types of pizza circulating. Yum.
The first weekend we hiked at Sugar Loaf. I convinced my friend Jacqui to run down the mountain so I guess you could say that I have been running here (maybe 1 mile).

This weekend we went to a very sad zoo. They had many animals that did not look like they had a very good life. And then Sunday I made Brownies from an American box mix. Brownies (like what we eat) are unheard of here but Brazilians love them so it was fun to treat some friends to this baked treat. (Consider sending box brownie mixes, hint)

Ministry highlights: The children from Projeto Vidinha remember me. I went to their school unexpectedly and was greated with many wonderful sweaty hugs. I very nearly cried with this experience.

The newer ministry: Projeto Ester is realy neat. Women that we meet on the streets are invited to our space for a hot meal, devotion, craft, and sometimes school lessons. It´s very casual and a much better way to get to know the women. They are able to shower and wash their clothes at the space as well.

On the streets the cutest little boys ask me to adopt them. This breaks my heart because I really want to, like seriously.

And I hesitate to share this last bit but it´s funny so I will, I´m trimming my own hair now and Charlotte, a teammate died it Magenta for me because all the red had faded out in the Brazilian sun. Now with Magenta hair all the Brazilian kids flock to me. I sat down at church and before I knew it three little boys were by my side trying to talk with me. This is fun. Who knew pink hair could be a ministry technique?

Please continue to pray for our safety. We have had no worries and hope for this to remain so. Also pray for my fundraising. I´m still trying to raise $2400.
Thanks for reading, thanks for praying, thanks for caring.

Obrigada,
jen