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| Aaron peaking out of the window of the bishop's house. They have no inner walls, just the other side of these bricks. Not all are lucky to have bricks...just sticks and mud. |
It was very hard trying to find our rental car. A bit of a sad thing happened not 5 minutes driving down the road after arrival in Brazil. A small monkey darted into the road - Chris put on his brakes and swerved but nailed him. So sad - we killed a monkey. Oh my - we couldn't avoid it and so now my eyes were glued to the road looking for monkeys. (Didn't see any more)
We got to our hotel and called Aaron as he had instructed. He told us to have fun but to be careful.
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| Strangeness in the streets of Brazil |
Sun: I really can't describe the feelings of today. We pulled up into the church parking lot. Little brown children peered from the slotted windows of the primary class and began speaking excitedly, curious about the late arriving visitors. (We got lost trying to find the church). Then, out came the Elders! Elder Robbins and our dear Aaron with bright eyes and even more twinkle in them and a glowing countenance. We hugged and cried and felt overjoyed.
Serrinha: It was thrilling to see so many people who recognized Aaron and adored him. One older couple invited us in and as kept happening else where, more and more people came from the back of the house to join us. They all looked lovingly at Aaron and us and expressed how much they loved him and what a great elder he was. The old man and lady wept as the conversation took place. I never really knew what was said most the time but the spirit of joy and love was always bounteous and the tears of gratitude to a great missionary and sadness in him having to leave them was always present.
Salvador: we enjoyed a couple beautiful churches and the market. A girl, Rosa, recognized Aaron and ran up to him and they happily conversed.
Camaceri: A cute black kid named Alan (looked about Aaron's age) recognized him on the street and was excited because he had a dvd of a play they did when Aaron served there. He wanted to give Aaron a copy. We took him home and while he was copying it, his two sisters entertained us with their new little tiny puppy they found as a stray. When we left, that cute black mama with her warm smile and cheerful countenance shook Chris's hand, hugged me and gave Aaron a "missionary hug"! (I'd never seen that...you cross arms and take hands then one person pulls the arms then the other ha ha). Also while here in Camaceri, Aaron was able to burn his photos to a cd so that he could leave his camera for another elder.
Petrolina: A sweet family (one that Aaron baptized) invited us over for a meal. They were so generous and put so much effort into it. Meats, pasta, rice, potato type of veg, beans, mixed veggies. One thing was candied figs! Renate, the son age 14, was a doll! He kept talking to us trying his English. He wants to come to the USA. He told me I looked like a Hollywood Movie Star ha ha! He showed us his sketch book and gave me a couple pictures, including his best one! They were colored with markers. I hated to take them but he insisted.
As we were leaving Sister Dantas asked me if she could give Kingee a hug. I nodded yes and said "of course" and motioned to hug. She hugged Aaron and weeped and weeped. She began talking fast in Portuguese with sobs. (Elder Robbins and Aaron interpreted for us) She said how hard it was to say goodbye. She said she would miss him so much. She said she loved him and she loved me. She said she would NEVER leave the church - not only because it was true but because she wanted to be where Kingee was in the next life. She apologized for not having a gift to give us but I explained in amazement of the great a gift she had already given us of her love and the huge feast - a labor of love and all her kindness was far greater than anything. Her husband, Moses, had been gathering seed from all around their yard and area so that we could grow some Brazil plants at our home. We have a sack full of seeds and cuttings. There are no words to say how full my heart was for these dear friends. Only knowing them a day I was crying leaving and cried myself to sleep.
We got to go to a zone conference. The elders glowed and their eyes were filled with light and they were happy and enthusiastic and optimistic. We got to go to the transfer and so many elders who saw each other after a long time threw their arms around each other in joy. So many ran to Aaron and picked him up off the ground in a hug.
We did missionary work...walked and walked with our Elders as they clapped at doors with no luck. Finally at dusk, when Chris and I were exhausted, we found someone home. They came to see Eteilma, who had been such a wonderful friend and helped the Elders find people... you could tell she adored Aaron and was so happy to see him. It was her brother who answered the door and was excited to tell Aaron that he had his mission call. Apparently he had been a rather rowdy type when Aaron served here but what a change he has made.
Thanks to beautiful Eteilma Aaron was able to see so many people, even a current elder that was Aaron's companion in Serinha. She is amazing. She took us to see so many that Aaron knew here. They were all equally excited to see him and kept telling us, using sign language, how much they love him. They kept patting him.
Monday we enjoyed a marketplace and picked up some souvenirs to bring home to everyone. Elder Robbins was so patient wandering with us. He has been a wonderful companion to Aaron. Bishop said they were truly unified and one more than he saw in most companionships.
We got to go to church with Aaron and even got to see a baptism!
Hug and hugs and more hugs
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| There were millions of beautiful varied butterflies! |
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| Coati walking across the street |
