Estrangeiros

Today we complete our 7th week of language school. I can’t believe its been 7 weeks already! Each week we are able to converse a little more, which is great. However, there are time we’ll want to say something that we don’t know how to say, and our teacher will tell us how to say it. Then she will say, “that’s in lesson 24” or something like that. I look at my book and we are in lesson 4!!!! Those times remind us that there is sooooo much we still have to learn. 2 more weeks and we get 7 weeks off for summer break!!! We are really looking forward to those 7 weeks!

We had to ride the bus yesterday. We are getting the windows tinted on the Kombi so it is in the shop for a couple of days (I know what you’re thinking-its gonna be super sweet!). It was not the best bus experience we’ve had, nor was it the worst We made it home but not without some harassment for from some young boys for being “americanos”. (I want to clarify, it is not the norm to be harassed like that) We get little reminders now and then though that we are the “enstrangeiros” (foreigners) here. It can be discouraging at times, but there are lessons to be learned in everything–more compassion towards “estrangeiros” in the U.S., extra graciousness to those who welcome us, more love towards those who don’t…we are, after all, here to tell people about Christ!!! Aren’t we all estrangeiros in this world anyway??

We are really praying that our container is released from customs soon. We are so thankful for the furnished house we moved into, but it will be nice to have some of our own things around. The boys are getting bored with the few toys we brought on the plane and have started getting more creative which usually means more trouble Check out Lucas’s facebook or Twitter to see a video of yesterday’s all day long toy. All of our Christmas decor is in the container, plus it’s summer here, so it is NOT beginning to feel a lot or even a little like Christmas! So, by the advice of some friends, we are going to do some paper decorations this weekend! Lucas is thrilled, seriously thrilled.

We met the Gecko last night. I suppose we should name him or something. Anyway, Nathaniel went upstairs to go to be and yelled, “The Gecko!! I see the gecko!!” So of course, we all ran upstairs. It darted behind Nathaniel’s bed so he pulled it out and it started running towards the stairs, where I was standing. Yes, I screamed about a little, tiny, harmless gecko. Brave Lucas got a piece of wood and tried to get the gecko to climb on it. Instead, it got on his hand!! Again, I screamed, just a little. It somehow got on the wall and climbed up to the ceiling where it camped out for a while. That was an exciting 5 minutes, let me tell you. Needless to say, Nathaniel slept downstairs with his brothers.

Until next time…