Sensory Overload!

So many firsts are piling onto so many firsts! Fireworks exploding at 7.05 a.m., and at 1.59 p.m., and at any other moment on any given day. Clouds that roll in in minutes, and lightning that sends us scurrying--unplugging all the electronics. Fruit that look like entrails and tastes like heaven. Flocks of parrots acting like crowds of crows. The ever present sting of the fire ant. Darwinian-style driving (survival of the fastest). Throwing your toilet paper in a trash can, not in the toilet! Cheese-flavored icecream.

Last week we made an unplanned trip to the ER. After two x-rays the verdict was in, Finn had pneumonia! They gave him an IV and three nebulizer treatments. Heidi, a retired nurse, translated for us and asked all the right questions. After seven hours in the hospital, the pediatrician sent him home. After many nebulizer treatments and some other meds, Finn is beginning to eat, walk, and scream like his old self again. Thanks to all of you who prayed!

The green coconuts (Nature's Gatorade) are incredibly refreshing, and have kept us hydrated during our recent sicknesses.

A boy and his lizard

Since it's a little warmer down here, and we didn't want termites nesting in our hair, George and I decided to thin our canopies a little.

"It feels like my head has left my body," says George.
"Yes, I can feel my vertebrae decompressing as we speak," says Tim.


Nothing like a little hammock time to heal what ails you.

Most of my Grade 9 & 10 Language Arts class. On the first day of class, I began writing on the whiteboard and a gecko shot out from behind it. My dream come true!

First Days

Here's a sampler of images from our pilgrimage.

Packing those trunks

Dad Gutman hauls

Dad Stewart and two truckloads of stuff

Right after the Alaska Airlines clerk fainted

Off we go

Thirty six hours later, in Belem with no luggage

Our first time through the gates

The new favorite toy--a latanga fruit

Some tiny seedling on our clothesline

All our luggage--a miracle!

One of the few casualties

Jill hangs her first load of laundry, and then learns how to do it the right way from our neighbor, Karen

Making coffee in a whole new way

George's first day at school: Friday, April 18.

Our new house--post Junior/Senior high school all-nighter

The AVA Welcoming Commitee comes to help clean up

Caleb and George out in the back forty

Bugs beware!

Sorry about the formatting of this entry, we're a little rushed these days.

Quote of the day: "George, get back in that hammock, they'll be time to catch lizards after your quiet time!"

Today We Leave For Brasil!

Off we go! So long, and thanks for all the prayers!

THE VISAS HAVE ARRIVED!

Jill and I were having a date in downtown Tacoma. After a satisfying latte and some speculative conversation about our visa situation, we started for my parent's house. As we drove through the Hilltop neighborhood, my cellphone rang. Adrienne, our visa agent, was on the line. I could tell by Jill's giddy tone that some good news was being delivered--Adrienne had the our visas in her hand! As Jill hung up, the clouds opened and the rain came down. It has often been the case that the Lord sends rain as a sign of his blessing, especially in the Pacific Northwest. At the same moment, I noticed a scruffy guy on a street corner holding up a cardboard sign. It read:

Know The Truth

John 3:32

I looked up the verse later, and it reads "He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony". I'm not sure how this fits into the story, perhaps it is a warning to you readers. You may not want to believe our visas are here. We have been waiting and waiting, and stringing you on and on. Believe--Our visas are here! But you may need proof, I mean we have been crying "Visa!" for a long time now. So here they are, all stamped and approved:

We just purchased our plane tickets, a straight shot from Spokane to Seattle to Miami to Manaus to Belem. We will be departing the Lilac City for the Mango City on April 14th. We would be delighted to see all of you at our:

Goodbye Open House

Sunday, April 13th

3-5 p.m.

3721 E. Congress, Spokane

Thank you all for your prayers and support during this long gestation. Here's a few more pics of the precious parchments.

George admires the filled-in blanks

Finn and I ferry the treasured paperwork to its SECRET hiding place