The Night Before

Ok I'm nervous...I'll admit it. I've travelled lots before but not this far, and not for this long separated from family, friends, my couch, and all the other things I've grown to love.

My suitcases lay open and I've packed and unpacked them 20 times over. It's amazing how many different ways one can pack a pair of socks! We've been requested to bring a whole whack of stuff for our hosts as well. From electronics to ziploc sandwich bags (They don't have them in Brazil!) to clothing and books. I'm going to have a lot of room for souvenirs for on the way back so stand in line and make your requests now!

Our flight leaves early in the morning from Vancouver which means an early start in Greendale. Marion has offered to drive but that was before I told her we're leaving to 4:00 a.m.

American Airlines takes us from Vancouver to Dallas to Sao Paulo and then on TAM airlines to Recife. I'm not sure what TAM means......All in all I think it's about 100 hours of flying.......or so it will seem. 


Brother Chris Boersema will be in Recife to receive us the following day and bring us to our Bed & Breakfast just outside the Aldeia Training Center. 

We hope to spend part of Friday catching up on some sleep and beginning our journey from there!  We have an itinerary and it is full of visits, meetings, tours, worship services, speeches and presentations. 

Until then!

Getting Ready

Wow.....getting into Brazil wasn't as easy as I thought it would be.  All travellers to that country require an entrance VISA and let me tell you they want to know everything about you!!!!

  Who you are, why you're going, where you work, where are you staying, why are you staying there, what's your shoe size, your dog's name, your favourite colour (answer green and yellow), your favourite sport, (answer soccer), your favourite country, (don't say Argentina....that brings on an instant rejection)

  Ok, perhaps not that bad but they do want to make sure you are who you are. Be prepared to shell out $85 and fill out a whole lotta paper work and if you want your application done fast then you are advised to hand it in personally at the Brazilian consulate which is in the heart of Vancouver on the 450th floor of a skyscraper. I took the stairs....it's good for me.

  However....they only take applications from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., which I was not aware of. I arrived at 11:07 and was greeted by two large glass doors and a sign that I think said "GET LOST" in Portuguese. The small black haired lady on the other side behind the counter looked very angry, probably not amused at the person on the other side banging his fists on the door to be let in.  She finally opened the door and spat out "You go away....we not here".  After pleading my case she finally said to come back at 2:00, which I did, only to find the waiting lounge packed with 50 other people......sigh.....

  I nervously waited my turn......the small lady and I made eye contact a few times and she had a scowl on her face. I was very scared of this woman. Not only was she my only chance to get into Brazil, but she could probably take me down in under 5 seconds if I was missing information.  I had all in order but don't remember the trip back home.....I still dream about her.

2 weeks later my travel Visa arrived!

It started back when....

 Greetings readers! I'm not a blogger, but have been encouraged by some to keep a short account of my trip down south. I suppose there's no harm in that, plus it also serves as a diary and an opportunity to jot down some notes which could help for a future report when I'm back!

  So here it goes! If you are going to judge me on spelling, grammar and sentence structure then I highly recommend you leave now.....cuz it ain't always gunna sound or look pretty" But I promise to keep it light so you don't bore yourself either!

  I was asked to serve on the Board of Mission Aid several months ago. It's something I've never been involved with in the past so I readily agreed.

Meetings began shortly thereafter and I needed to do my best impression of a sponge to soak up all the information. From the outside looking in the work didn't look too difficult, but from the outset I knew I was dead wrong. The fact is the Mission Aid project is large, involves hours and hours of work done by dedicated volunteers, and touches of the lives of many people in our sister churches in South America. It continues to grow as the Spirit moves amongst those it touches through the words and actions brought by the Lord's servants in that place.

It was only my second meeting, and I read item #12 on the agenda to be "Trip to Brazil". Traditionally the board sends 2 representatives yearly to visit with our Mission Aid worker to witness the work, encourage the brothers, and offer some guidance and consideration.  Quite the trip, and quite the responsibility! I just wasn't prepared to be one of two to be chosen. Brother Steve Leyenhorst, also a "newby" will be my travel partner.