Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Rio Day 4

Our first day of work. Reading.  We really did not know what to expect and once we had an idea of how the actual reading sessions would go we or mainly I was slapped with the reality that each session will have a completely different identity of it's own. 

We woke up early and met Jefferson at the street to catch the bus.  Public transportation in Rio reminds of us of New York, where it is very common to walk several blocks to catch the bus and there is a  very healthy amount of sidewalk traffic along with a seemingly lawless road traffic that is oddly enough very aware and respectful of pedestrians.  Blake has almost been hit two days in row.  The boy is clueless about speedy taxis and aggressive buses. 

After a 20 minute or so bus ride to the church we began to set up our reading areas.  Kevin and Mariah and Kevin's niece Sydney arrived a few minutes later and Kevin and Sydney helped us with details that we did not yet know of.  We are scheduled to read from 10 am until 8 pm. with an hour break for lunch.  It is not uncommon for readers to not show due to traffic or on conflicts and time seems to be a secondary concern.  Showing up 30 minutes late or 30 minutes early is common and needs to be acceptable to us.  Shar did well.  I struggled.  To dive into too much detail would become boring so I will simplify my explanation of the day.

There are men and women of various adult ages who want to learn English so badly that they freely and excitedly sign up for a free English course with a complete stranger.  That idea is so non-Western that I have trouble even typing it.  I cannot explain to you the joy that my readers had in learning our language. 

From barely speaking any English at all to living in the states for 15 plus years. Students at what would be university level coming after their classes to people going to work early so their boss would give them time off to make it to English class.  Business professionals to unemployed.  All varieties of socioeconomic status and educational background.  It was truly humbling to hear of their joy for this opportunity. 

The process of day one is to form a relationship in order to be a better asset to the readers in the hope that they will become interested in the local church.  So as we are talking I am hearing every story possible.  How readers had lost their jobs, separated from spouses, traveled to various countries, reconnected with parents or children, burred parents or children.  The list goes on and on.  Why are these sweet people sharing their lives with us?  It is amazing to me. 

I am assuming there will be pictures down the road with these persons and I will gladly share those with you.  The Brazilian culture is very kind and gracious and friendly and it is a welcome change to what we are used to in The States.  I am very curious to see how God will use us in these two weeks.  I will be curious to see what seeds we will plant or water and it will be a blessing some day to see what God grows from the work here in Brazil. 

Our wonderful hosts met us at the church at 8:30 to ride the bus home with us.  Life here also has a New York feeling.  People go to work later in the morning and get home later and night and when we arrived the house this evening at 8:45 Tami began to cook their dinner, which was not ready until 9:30 and it was an awesome pasta/sausage dish that I can smell now and wish I had some.  Too Doo Bein. 

Blessing on you all.

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