When we first moved to Brazil 8 years ago, we moved into a kind of doublex, only one house was on top of the other instead of being side-by-side. The couple that owned the dublex lived in the house on the first level and we rented the upstairs house. It was a wonderful arrangement since the couple was retired and around all day long. I had lots of opportunities to practice speaking Portuguese with them and I learned so much about the culture and how to cook Brazilian food! Their 2 sons became like brothers to us and they have loved and cared for our kids as if they were their own grandchildren. We moved out when Michael was just 1 1/2 years old (partly because this Brazilian grandmother wanted to spoil him rotten!), but we have maintained our relationship with them. They now live on a "chácara"...something like a small farm. They have chickens and cows and they plant corn, sugar cane, and various vegetables. They also have lots of mango trees, lemon trees, and guava trees! The kids love to visit them and always want to spend at least one night with them to soak up all of the spoiling rotten that "vovó" and "vovô" (grandma and grandpa) have to offer them! We went out for a visit last week and here are some pictures of the kids giving a bottle to a week old calf. We are always reminded of how God has given us friends that are like family here in Brazil! My cousin, Michelle, is in the process of making the decision to minister in another country. She will be leaving family and friends. Her 2 kids will not see their Grandmas and Grandpa as often. But to her and to others who have this calling, I want to assure you that God will provide a new family for you that will not replace the one at "home", but that will ease the pain of the separation!
When we first moved to Brazil 8 years ago, we moved into a kind of doublex, only one house was on top of the other instead of being side-by-side. The couple that owned the dublex lived in the house on the first level and we rented the upstairs house. It was a wonderful arrangement since the couple was retired and around all day long. I had lots of opportunities to practice speaking Portuguese with them and I learned so much about the culture and how to cook Brazilian food! Their 2 sons became like brothers to us and they have loved and cared for our kids as if they were their own grandchildren. We moved out when Michael was just 1 1/2 years old (partly because this Brazilian grandmother wanted to spoil him rotten!), but we have maintained our relationship with them. They now live on a "chácara"...something like a small farm. They have chickens and cows and they plant corn, sugar cane, and various vegetables. They also have lots of mango trees, lemon trees, and guava trees! The kids love to visit them and always want to spend at least one night with them to soak up all of the spoiling rotten that "vovó" and "vovô" (grandma and grandpa) have to offer them! We went out for a visit last week and here are some pictures of the kids giving a bottle to a week old calf. We are always reminded of how God has given us friends that are like family here in Brazil! My cousin, Michelle, is in the process of making the decision to minister in another country. She will be leaving family and friends. Her 2 kids will not see their Grandmas and Grandpa as often. But to her and to others who have this calling, I want to assure you that God will provide a new family for you that will not replace the one at "home", but that will ease the pain of the separation!
1 comment:
Great work.
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