The weekend was fantastic. Sunday afternoon after a wonderful lunch of three kinds of pastas, chicken, dark green salad and coconut chocolate cake, I lounged in a swinging hammock chair overlooking the blue, misty mountain view. I spent time reading, journaling and listening to Paul Simon.
The church service is on Saturday night in Serra Negra (the mountain town). One of the coolest things about many Brazilians churches that I've been to, including this one, is that they leave their doors open during the service. I love this! The street and the church become one. In Sunday school we discussed Ecclesiastes 7. I was able to follow along in my English Bible as well as pick out pieces of the conversation. My fellow Brazilian brothers and sisters reminded me that God has a plan for my life that consists of times to celebrate and times to mourn. They spoke about how both are necessary and from a wisdom that we can not pretend to understand. Awesome, I guess I can stop trying to have all the answers. :)
After church, Tio Sergio, Tia Helena, Ana, Dodo (Ana's newly wed husband), Ivy, Roberto (Ivy's boyfriend), Lia, Anderson (Lia's boyfriend), Tia Hope (my great aunt) and I went out for pizza. I sat next to Tia Hope (who lived in Rio Verde while her father (my great grandfather) was founding the hospital). It was incredible to hear her stories and spend time just laughing with her. She lives in Serra Negra and still translates for a publishing company at 81 years of age. So Cool.
I also love being with the girls and their boyfriends. Each of them are very funny in a different way. They try to include me as much as possible. A common heard sentence is "Como fala _____ em Ingles?" (How do you say ____ in English?) Then they all squint and shake their heads as they rack their brains for some English word they once learned but have now forgotten. We all laugh and continue to joke in bits of both languages with a lot of hand gestures.
On Sunday, many more family members came to the Leme's mountain house. Many hands prepared lunch. I, being the new interesting American, entertained the children. Now, I know what some of you are thinking; however, it was a lovely experience. I got to practice much of my Portuguese- children ask a lot of questions!- while we played a game. I read the instructions in English and then tried to explain. It was quite comical.
Late Sunday night we drove back to Piracicaba. In the morning there are classes, work and more Portuguese flashcards to be had. (oh and Mango eating too, of course!)