Unfortunately, we were stopped as we tried to cross the entry bridge. An official ceremony was in progress. A guard informed us that ceremonies usually ended at 3.30 p.m. The time was 2.45. 
Standing dejected, our eyes traveled to a black Cadillac parked in the lot--an uncommon car in Brasil-- very interesting, as were the beefy, very American-looking Secret Service agents milling around. Hmmm. And was that the American flag flying in front of the Palace?!!
We had heard the day before that President Jimmy Carter would be in Brasilia on Monday. Joking around, we imagined running into him at a resturant, or on the bus.
"Mr. President! How do you like the rice and beans?" "
"Mr. President, please take my seat, I don't mind standing..."
Perhaps our wildest dreams were about to come true. Sitting in the parking lot for an unknown length of time, all for the chance of seeing a president was not on our schedule, but seemed worth the try. So we sat. We talked quietly and made small gestures--no point getting the Secret Service all excited.
After a half hour, there was a flutter of activity. A small entourage began sweeping down the bridge.
There he was! Wildly, we whipped out our cameras, playing paparazzi.
We didn't catch his eye at first. 
As he drew near, one of us said, "Hey, President Carter!" He appeared surprised. I suppose it's strange to hear an American voice in a parking lot in Brasilia. He looked at us, tour-worn high schoolers and teachers, then became presidential before our very eyes.
Shaking our hands, he asked us where we were from, what we were doing in Brasilia, and if we were Baptists. Many of us converted on the spot, in the heat of the moment.
He stopped. He inspired. He went. I didn't move to the States until President H.W. Bush was in office. Reagan was ancient history. Carter even more so. I've never thought much about him until now, and now he's my favorite. For that 0.5 seconds when he shook my hand and looked into my eyes, I could tell that he cared. He was so real. This has ever been the mark of great men.
Yes, we all stood a little taller that day. Look at me--full of president-induced glee. Or perhaps I was thinking about a giant bowl of ice cream (that's the Palace of the National Congress).
Jill got a chance to be the speaker at the elementary chapel. She and Handboy spoke on 2 Samuel 9, regarding Mephibosheth and King David. All those years of Children's Church and Sunday school teaching came in handy!
Just another Friday Night, kicking back to watch a movie, and out of the corner of our eye, we spotted a not-so-little visitor. Never a dull moment.
During spring break, we took off for a few days to the city of Fortaleza. It was great to get away from the noise and rush of the big city and trade it for the noise and shops of a big ocean city.
Decorations, practicing special music, getting the supplies to make stuff, importing the tables from another city (only 30 minutes away) for the night, gathering and carrying chairs from the school (it could rain at any moment too!), cutting the fabric for table cloths; all part of the fun!
Spaghetti and meatballs, simple enough right? We made about 300 meatballs from scratch, rolling away all afternoon. Sauce from scratch also--lots of stirring going on, no Italian seasoning in Brazil, so we used some we had from the States! Also, Valentine's Day is not celebrated here, so we had to find someone to make us homemade chocolate hearts for the evening; it was a nice personal touch on each place setting.
The day of the banquet, preparing the fruit, making the garlic bread, skewering the dickens out of the watermelons. These students are used to setbacks, making things out of nothing and working HARD!
"Love me tender....love me sweet" The king would have been proud! No party is complete with out games--we found some good ones online (when the Internet happens to work!).
Cheers! The upper classmen give their approval of the evening.
No new news about Finn. He has been happy, healthy, and potty-training. Our hearts skip a beat every time he falls over, but so far it's just typical two-year-old high jinks. We have sent all his charts to a doctor in Spokane and are awaiting his analysis at present.
On December 13, I accompanied a group from school on the Christmas ministry trip. We boarded two Brazilian Bible Society boats and chugged out to a couple of island communities. The students presented the gospel using skits, stories, songs, puppet shows, and clowning. Afterwards, we distributed toys, food, and Bibles. There is a stark contrast between the island communities and the city, although many of these communities are within the city limits. From what I have heard, these river people receive little or no support from the government, and have little access to amenities that we take for granted (electricity, clean water, medical, etc.).
Coming around a bend in a channel, and what to our wondering eyes should appear, but the Belem city skyline. From jungle to metropolis in a few turns of a propeller.
