A New Day

Rain!!!!

   Who woulda thunk it.... I'm thankful for it actually.  The steady drum on the steel and terra cotta roof was enough to put me to sleep within minutes.  Summer is just starting here and I'm told the days can get pretty warm, and Marty don't do warm real good.

I'm thankful for all your comments dear readers, it keeps me motivated to write and puts a part of home right here with me.  Blessings to you all!

 What this bed and breakfast lacks in grandeur, more than makes up in character and personality.  At $39 Reals (Say "hay-eyes") its a steal of a deal.  Last night the custodian asked what I liked for breakfast drink and this morning she brought me a tall ice cold mango smoothie. "For you senor Martin". She "Fallows un poco englise" so exchanging a few pleasantries is not difficult. The pool is cool and pristine and a little Brazilian boy around the age of 7 thought I was nuts going for a swim in this cold cold weather.

 Chris arrived for our morning pick up well on time.  I have to commend him for his punctuality because not all of Brazil is like this.

Today we had a tour of the Aldeia Training Center (ATC) which houses our theological seminary "John Calvin Institute". 


The chief residents are Pastor Ken Wieske, 3 seminary students and their families, plus Dado, the groundskeeper and jack of all trades. Aldeia is about a 45 minute drive out of Recife in a more affluent area.  Situated higher on a ridge it offers some great vistas of the forested ravines and hills. 

The ATC is a diamond in the rough. It doesn't offer up a great first impression as its off a dusty road lined with meters of concrete walls, but upon entering you are stunned by the beauty of this facility.  Flag stoned walkways, cosy villas, a swimming pool, outdoor BBQ's, palm trees and fruit trees, makes one feel they've been transported into a resort! The complex is well kept, and the residents are thankful and excited to live there.  Another exciting part of it all is that there is room to grow! Right now only 1/3 of the land is being used with a view to much more in the future.  The dorms being built have the potential to house more students and families. This facility will serve our churches well for many years.

Steve was brave enough to climb to the top of the famed "water tower" for an aerial view. Chris and I stayed below to catch him just in case.

What's a stay at Brazil without playing a rousing game of soccer? The ATC has a wonderful pitch, fully lit, and we took to the field after dinner for a game.  Steve and I represented Canada valiantly but we were out matched.  I played goal for about 45 minutes and 7 goals only to be replaced (thankfully) by another local.  I would really like to know what "You Suck" is in Portuguese because I think that's what they were saying as I walked off. Steve was a star and scored several goals. I lost track after 4.  Having said that he paid for it with several shots to the the southern region and still stayed in the game.  I may have to help him get up tomorrow.....

That's all for now, tomorrow another day!