First day of the last week :(

We had reading sessions Saturday because we had taken last Monday off to go to Porto de Galinhas. After a really long, and much needed nap, we went out with Dayanne and Pietro Saturday night! We got to go on our very first Brazilian bus ride. There were kids in the back singing church songs! We went to the mall to see a movie. Picture a mall at least twice the size of Wolfchase...quite possibly bigger...and it was packed! So, we are in Brazil at this huge mall and we run into four different people that we know! haha. It was pretty funny. We went and saw "The Happening." Please. Please do not ever go see this movie. I don't mean for you to wait til it comes out on video. I mean NEVER see it. It is terrible. I am also guessing that it is extremlely graphic. I can only "guess" because I had my eyes closed most of the time, so I can only assume by the reaction of the audience and the scary music that is was pretty violent. But even the people who had their eyes open the whole time, agreed that it was just a really bad movie. I do, however, enjoy hearing people speak English in the movies because I can understand what is going on. It will be strange to be back in Memphis and actually know what people are talking about all around me.

Two of Jarrod and William's non-Christian readers came to worship on Sunday morning with us! They seemed to enjoy it, and of course everyone was very friendly to them. After worship on Sunday, we went with Everton, Thalles, and Vanessa (Thalles' girlfriend) and David on our second bus ride! This one was a lot longer. We went through Olinda (oh-leen-dah) and into Paulista (paul-eesh-tah) where they live. We had a big lunch at Everton's house with his family. We spent all day there, and at the beach. Later, we went to worship and a Valentine's party with the high school/young adult group from the church where they attend. It was so much fun! Everyone was so friendly and welcoming. It is a really big congregation. While the band was setting up for the party, Jarrod got to play bass to a Coldplay song with them! Everton's sister, Elidiane, had written her boyfriend a song and she sang it to him with the whole band and even back up singers! I had no idea what she was saying, but it was still the sweetest thing I have ever seen! One of the girls told me later that it was about how much she loved him, and how their relationship is centered around God. Afterward, Thalles and his father brought us "home."

I hope all the Father's had a wonderful day yesterday! I'm sad that I missed it, but my dad got his present delivered all the way from Brazil...kinda :) Father's Day here is at a different time of the year, so the Americans like Randy get two Father's Days!

Lighthouse in Olinda

Thalles, David, Everton

This is a video of David singing and playing the guitar. This one was a song about a girl. It's called "Larissa." He wrote it and played it for her in the airport when she was leaving-aww! (Those are not his purses :)

David, Elidiane, Jarrod, Paula, William, Thalles, Me (Everton is taking the picture)

Today, I put on a long sleeve shirt for the first time since I got to Brazil! It is pouring rain and quite chilly. Well, at this point 75 degrees feels chilly. We are not expecting a huge turn out for our sessions today because it is so difficult to get around the city in this type of rain. I have had good luck so far, though. We will see how the rest of the day goes. I had wanted to go to the beach on our lunch break today, but it looks like I will be taking a nap instead! Oh well!

Willy's Kibi from Habibi's

Friday the 13th!

The São João Festival is coming up here in Recife. I really don't know yet what all that involves, but it apparently has something to do with corn. Danny and Adriana brought us some things to try yesterday morning. One was some sort of corn pudding, and the other was "pamonha." I don't even know how to describe that without just showing a picture. We have also been seeing a lot of stacks of logs for sale. We have been told that there are many bon fires during the festival. It should be pretty interesting. I am anxious to see what it is all about.

Mostly eaten Pamonha

Making cookies for the party!

Last night's party was a lot of fun! We decided to make it "snow" in Recife, because that is something Northeast Brazilians never get to see. We also had cookies that could be decorated like snowmen. Maria Fransisca made some kind of amazing pudding to share with everyone. We had fun making snowflakes, and playing completely unrelated-to-snow games. Randy brought in a huge cooler (like one you would see in a store) full of icecream!

This is a video of Alcides (I know I spelled his name wrong, and I'm sure I will hear about it ;) Whenever someone "cheats" in a game, the Brazilians like to make that person sing a song or dance. I have a lot of funny videos from all the cheaters last night, but this one is my favorite. Be sure, and push play!

Everton, Daniel, Me, Marilia, Garry, Katia

You can see more party pictures on the slideshow...I am adding them right now.

We went to eat fondue for the after-party-dinner. It was really good! (By the way, that glass has water in it :)

William is always beating himself up...

Happy Valentine's Day!

Today is Valentine's Day in Brazil! It is actually called Dia de Namorados, which literally means "Day of Girlfriends/Boyfriends." It is an absolutely fantastic excuse to eat as much chocolate as humanly possible and not feel one ounce of guilt, I say...as I am stuffing my face.

In case you are wondering...Yes, Sport won the Brazil Cup!!! That means that they can now go on to play the best teams from other South American countries. It's pretty cool that they are from right here in Recife! It has been very exciting around here today. The car horns have NOT stopped honking since yesterday morning, and the game was not until 10:00 last night! They honk to the beat of the chant. It sounds like this...beep-beep...beep-beep...beep-beep-beep-beep-beep-beep. All day. There are also random fireworks throughout the day. Never a dull moment. Our readers don't seem distracted by it at all. I guess they are used to it, or as Daniel says, "It's normal."

Last night, we listened to the new Coldplay CD because it is free to hear if you live anywhere except the United States (heh heh) Don't be jealous, though. I was sorely disappointed. Yes, I felt the need to include this piece of information in my blog. I don't want anyone to get their hopes up the way I did, and have their heart trampled on.

Reading sessions have gone well today. Poor Luciano has an eye infection! Please pray for his fast recovery. Today we have been preparing for tomorrow's party. We are going to make sugar cookies! If you have any fun party games, feel free to suggest them! We need all the help we can get. We also tried something crazy today! We put Guaraná in our Acerola Juice!! It was just the kick we were looking for! We also headed down the beach on our lunch break. Just trying to get as much beach time as possible in the week we have left :(

William, at any given moment in the day...

William stays!

Well, William isn't going anywhere...yet! His visa has been extended and he can stay in the country. Good news for his readers.

Today has been especially exhausting for some reason, so I am going to keep this one short. Somehow I scheduled reading sessions straight through church tonight on accident. I will re-post later if anything exciting happens.

By the way, Sport is playing tonight so I doubt we will be getting any sleep-haha. The honking is already well underway.

If you didn't notice, I put a link to my slideshow so check it out!

...Ok, it is later now, and some exciting things really did happen! First, my reader didn't show up (that's not exciting) but it allowed me to go to the worship service. Luckily for us, the translator from Torch was still here, and so we were able to understand everything that was being said! It made a huge difference! Thanks, Nayane! Also, I have a mosquito bite on my right lymph node. It's swelling up like a balloon. I will let you know...or, someone else will let you know...if I get Dengue.

William got his feelings hurt again. This time, it was because his tribute pictures were so small...

Our trio could soon become a pair

In my life experiences so far, I have learned that children in every part of the world play in the same language. If you blow bubbles, they will run with their hands in the air and try to catch them. If you pull out a coloring book, their faces will light up as they start reaching for their favorite color crayon. They love to hug and be hugged. Today, we visited an orphanage in Boa Viagem. Even though we couldn't always understand what the kids were saying, we knew how excited that they were. I tried really hard not to think about "where" we were, until one of the little girls asked me if I have a Mom and Dad. I felt guilty saying "yes." It made me appreciate every moment of my life in a split second. My very worst day could not compare to what any orphan must go through. The kids were so sweet and so energetic. I'm so glad I had the opportunity to spend some time with them. I hope we get a chance to go back.

After we left the orphange, we headed downtown to get our visas extended because the U.S. Consulate mistakenly issued us visas that are only valid for 30 days. When we got there, Jarrod and William were not allowed in because they were wearing shorts! Once I got inside, it turned out that when we went through Customs in São Paulo on the way here, mine and Jarrod's visas were just overlooked, and stamped for 90 days, which is the amount of time that we should have been issued in first place! Unfortunately, William's Customs Officer was apparently more observant. His passport was stamped for 30 days...which expires tomorrow. Since he was wearing shorts, there was nothing he could do about it today. Cross your fingers that he doesn't get deported tomorrow!

I was getting complaints that my fans were having trouble viewing the blog. I have taken off the slideshow, and am hoping this solves the problem. If you would like to view it, click here:

http://photoshow.com/members/KenseyLynne
Please let me know if you are still having a problem. Well, wait...if you are, then you will not be reading this...

Yay for bubbles!!

She wanted to try on his sunglasses

Ashley, from Torch with the kids


Lais, Me...we bonded while making bracelets for each other


The street that the orphanage is on


William, who may not be here much longer...

Paradise

At worship on Sunday, we sang songs in Portuguese followed by the same songs in English. It gave me chills! Then, in class we had a translator so we understood everything that was being said! When it was time for the kids to take up their special collection, Flavihno was wearing sunglasses :) After church, all of the North Americans went to eat together, and we basically took up the whole restaraunt.

I don't even know to to begin to describe our trip! It was perfectly wonderful break! We went to Porto de Galinhas for a mini-vacation Sunday and Monday. The weather was perfect, the ocean was perfect, and the food was perfect. I could not ask for a better weekend at the beach! It is so beautiful there, and the town is so laid back and friendly that I could move there tomorrow. The Torch group came and joined us. They are wrapping up their trip, and will be heading back to the States on Wednesday. Please pray for their safety. Seeing people/groups come and go during the
time that we are here, really makes us feel like we have been here a lot longer than we actually
have! I don't mind, because I love it here so much!

Maciel has gone back to São Paulo to prepare for his move to Recife. Unfortunately, he won't be back until after we are gone. It has been wonderful having him around, and we will miss him.

Team bonding at the beach

Hungry? Yes, those are 2 huge fish, three lobsters, and some shrimp...as fresh as you want.

There is always plenty of soccer to watch in Brazil

The best juice experience yet!

Our new friends


My new car

William, doing what he does best...