Egbert Brazilian Adventure: Open Cafeteria and Integration

January 29 Thursday

After another late night, the morning started early. Merl heard a strange noise in the front room and went to see what it was. Ann was jumping rope and having a good time. The next hour or so found us all studying or working on the computer. Merl and I started Liçãon Quatro of our Wizard homework.

I looked out the window and saw a neighbor lady across the street cleaning up along the sidewalk and gutters. She was picking up rocks, grass, paper, etc. and putting them in a plastic bag. She worked her way around the corner carefully manicuring the stone sidewalk. Ann says that her experience here before demonstrated how clean the Brazilian people (in general) are very clean - even when their living conditions appear to be less than adequate.

Mid morning, the missionaries called to see if they could come for lunch today. The member who was assigned to feed them today gave them money to buy their lunch. They prefer not to eat alone, so requested our company. They said they would buy the sobremesa (dessert). We quickly changed gears and went into meal preparation. When the missionaries arrived, Ann sent them to purchase mozzarella cheese slices for the dish she prepared yesterday - cheese/vegetable crepes. They returned with the cheese and a box of ice cream. I prepared a big salad and made a pan of brownies. Every time the missionaries come, I prepare another batch of ranch dressing - they love it. I brought the dry packets from home as they don't have ranch dressing here. We had a great fun-filled lunch with the missionaries singing, bantering, and performing 'magic tricks.'

The morning had been beautiful, but by the end of lunch the typical heavy afternoon rainstorm hit. We loaned our umbrellas and plastic covers so the missionaries could make it home somewhat dry.

Piano lessons and the Branch Integration meeting were on the agenda for the evening. Ann went early to the church to have some 'quiet time' to prepare her Primary sharing time presentation. She then had few piano lessons scheduled before the Integration meeting.

David was responsible for the activities for the meeting. He had asked a few long-time members in the Branch to tell their conversion stories, tell about their baptism, and share their testimonies. Paulo Benito, Meri Menezes, Mario Francisco Silva, Anderson and Camila Mendez, and Janice Decosta da Silva. It was a good meeting that lasted too long for the missionaries to do their activity, but it was a time well spent - David wishes he had taped the presentations.