After three very long and busy days, today seemed much more mellow. We began with a traditional Brazilian breakfast (café de manhã) including bread, fresh fruit and coffee. At breakfast, Alcideles explained that we would go tour one of the pieces of property we are considering for the orphanage. Once we finished eating, we got gas and headed down to the shore of the lake again. The property’s owner met us there and once we crossed over the water, he took us on a tour.
This piece of property is almost 50 acres in size and has already been completely cleared for cattle herding (it had been jungle at one time). The neat thing is that all three sides (other than the water frontage) are bordered by jungle. In other words, it would be a nice location because the land is already prepped for buildings, crops and a small herd of cattle, but it is also bordered by beautiful surroundings on all sides. Luckily there is not a major rush at this moment to purchase land so we can take more time to wait on the Lord.
While we were already traveling by boat, we headed up the lake a little further to the church at Rice Lake (another fellowship pastored by John Larrabee and Alcideles). Pastor Alcideles showed us all around, and pointed at a spot of their land where the Larrabees hope to some day build a Bible College for people on this part of the Amazon (a great location since it would be only a short walk from the orphanage!).
When we got back to the church compound, lunch was already prepared for us. Alcideles' wife made a feast of sautéed beef with onions and bell peppers, plus the staple of the Amazon, beans and rice. The other main item at lunch (rather, at any lunch or dinner) is the fadinia. This is a universal topping for almost everything in Brazil! It's a cornmeal-like substance is extremely crunchy (like eating grape nut cereal without milk). Although it can be somewhat bland, it can be finely ground and used like flour. Perhaps the main reason it is so popular is because it is grown right here in the jungle (in fact, when we hiked to the church at Mount Herob, we probably passed one or two fadinia farms every mile).
After lunch, I went outside to start sharpening a large box of pencils that I had brought as part of a gift to the church’s Sunday school program. At the same time a handful of boys came over to see what I was doing. I started handing out pencils and paper and we all drew pictures together. We actually had a lot of fun even though we couldn’t talk (there is something about a child’s eyes that can speak volumes, regardless of their age or language). The boys got seemed to have a lot of fun as I would draw a picture, then they would copy it onto their papers. It was a really neat experience!
A little bit later, Tim and I decided to take a walk through town and go visit some stores. It was only a few blocks to the main drag (about 7 small shops lined up on one street). We stopped at the all-and-everything store so I could by a hammock to sleep in, plus Tim picked up a few things. We also got a liter of orange soda that we took across the street to a shady spot on the bluff overlooking the Amazon. Once again I was in awe of its immense size. Then, as if to make an even bigger impression on me, a full size cargo ship came silently drifting down the river on its way back out to see (even this enormus vessel looked small on the river).
For almost an hour, we sat drinking our soda, talking and observing the waterfront culture. It was a great chance to share thoughts and let everything from the past few days sink in. On the way home, we also got the chance to see many neighborhoods in the “developed” part of town, plus we stopped at the little hardware store (also owned by the man who had shown us his land earlier in the day) to buy a piece to fix a broken toilet back at the church. While Tim worked on the toilet (a one man job) we discussed alternative ways to provide utilities for the orphanage buildings since there won't be any electricity or water at the property.
In the evening was the weekly youth group service so Tim and I put on our pants and collared shirts, then headed to the chapel. All the kids looked great decked out in their nice clothes, almost like it was the first day of school (it’s a requirement to look nice for church, boys are always in pants and girls in skirts). The evening went much like every other youth group I’ve seen: worship, sharing, a short message, and even a Bible quiz game (boys vs. girls). Afterward, Tim showed the kids a DVD he bought in Sao Paulo: Ben Kingsley’s Moses film dubbed with Portuguese. While the kids watched, we handed out grilled ham and cheese sandwiches which the kids devoured (especially when we announced seconds!). What really hit me tonight was just how similar these kids are to kids in the US. Perhaps it's seeing them dressed in similar fashions, or maybe it's the way they interact, but either way, tonight gave me a chance to see the kids personalities really come out. Many of them are born leaders with a heart for Christ, something their society desperately needs.

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"A Brazilian Sunday..."