Assembly/Pioneer Day

March 9,10 and 11 were full of smiles, nice to meet yous, picture taking and spiritual food.

Friday, March 9^th.   Pioneer Day.  This was held in a pretty Kingdom Hall in the nearby larger town (like a Worcester) called Arapiraca.  We had already attended the Pioneer Day at home so it was fun to follow along and add too our english notes.  The Circuit overseer was encouraging the pioneers to make it a matter of prayer to move where there was a greater need in the circuit.  He then said, “We have a couple with us today who came here all the way from the United States to help in Sao Sabastiao!  Couldn’t WE maybe make room in our life to move to the next town over if there’s a greater need there?”  We both flushed red as everyone turned around in that moment looking for us.  But admittedly, the happiest part of the day was when we realized we had just sat with Manoel during his first pioneer meeting.

Abraao, our Circuit Overseer

Here is an incredibly bad photo taken of the four of us:

But why so bad?

Maybe because Ben asked of ALL people, this dear brother to take the photo?:

:) :)

March 10^th and 11^th. Circuit assembly.  This was held not at an official Assembly Hall but a rented open air venue in Arapiraca.  All we knew going in was that the name of the place was “Oasis” which we thought, “Yeah suuuuuuure…..”  However it was in fact a beautiful place!  Here’s somes pics:

It took weeks – literally – of convincing Edite and Franca that they could make it to this assembly.  They said they don’t normally go because Franca, being 91 and all, has to get up and walk around frequently because the chairs aren’t comfortable and well, he just can't make it the whole day.  Edite likes to stay by his side as she’s always worried about his health although it seems it’s HER health that’s more worrisome lately… Anyway we assured them that this year it’s different!  Why?  We explained that we had already been to this assembly and that all they needed to do was say the word and we’d take them back home.  They reluctantly agreed and the morning of, were ready on time!  They were a bit disorganized and nervous and complained the whole way but in the end……..

….stayed all day, both days!!  First time in years.

We enjoyed an ice cream with Franca outside during the afternoon break.  His favorite flavor is “milho verde”= green corn.  Yes, you’re reading correctly.  A corn flavored ice cream popsicle.  I must admit, it’s pretty tasty.  For Franca, it bought him energy for the rest of the day. 

We had several teenagers run up to us wanting to take a picture with us.  Also, the circuit and district overseers and their wives wanted pictures.  We both felt a little silly about all this picture taking but the friends explained how they have never even HEARD of friends coming to help from other countries – at least in this part of Brazil.  The first they’d heard of were Bruno and Amber Echavarria from North Carolina (now our good friends thanks to Skype!) who were here in Sao Sebastiao for three months right before us.

One young brother we met got our number and he and another brother came today to work in service with us.  We had such a nice morning together and after they said, “You don’t understand what an encouragement it is to have friends from the U.S. here, in our state of Alogoas.  It’s hard to explain but we feel so special like Jehovah is really showing us he’s noticing our efforts and that there’s much more potential here.  Thank you for coming!” 

More and more we’re feeling the same way Jeremiah did when he said, “You have fooled me oh Jehovah…” because every time someone says something like those brothers said today we want to cry and laugh at the same time.  We want to cry because the words are so kind and mean so much.  But we want to laugh because little do they know, its US that walk away encouraged and strengthened and feeling special because of them.