A new day in a new week past half way.

Well, the sickness is behind us, we pray, and we have started the work week again. Apparently I over worked the crew last week, and so they put me down with food poisoning at the mall to catch up on some rest. Apparently it worked, minus me feeling horrible, and at Zack's and Lindsay's expense!

We had a late start today as a catch up of the weekend. Those sick Saturday were able to see the beach and enjoy a walk. Others caught up on sleep, and the rest moseyed around. We had devotions at 11, thanks to Bonnie, and were told to be dandelions and keep an open perspective during our journey today. We then caught the van at noon to the project where we had lunch, and headed to work. We continued to move soil around from trenches and piles to level rooms and assist the masons. There will be a video tomorrow of site progress.

Speaking of the site... Please join the Facebook Group Brazil Partnership if you have not already done so! There you will see pictures of us, our friends and random updates.

We worked until 5 today and headed back to the hotel for chicken noodle soup supper and a walk to the ice cream parlor with Andressa, before the soap operas came on at nine. The rest eventually joined in a game of Phase 10, where we just paused for another night.

I need to get more photos but the tablet was being used, so I'll try tomorrow. The video will be made and it will tell a lot.

We tour the city of Olindia first thing and then head to the site to continue our quest. My percentage of returning to the states stands at -34.583% on a 0-100 scale. Most of us are at or near 100% health, mentally however, I'm not sure, but physically I think the team is back!

From the sea shore in Olindia, good night folks!

~Carl

Wonder Worship!

What a Sunday! Let's start with the most recent and work backwards. It will match your schedule in the States!

At 6:30 we departed across town about 45 minutes into the bumpy dirt roads to the Methodist Church, where we were late from the boys! I'll admit that and explain later. The service started at 7 which we enter into the beginning and were welcomed with hugs and kisses and tears of joy!!! I can't explain this feeling of the Brazilian People unless you experience it! The love they show us was uncomprehendable, yet can easily be witnessed. We watched as they sang songs and danced, as the music was praiseworthy and sincere. We also saw the kids sing a song from VBS, that they had last week, where 40 kids were in attendance.

Pastor David then gave a sermon on Luke chapter 19, about Zacchaeus and how wonder our God is to do the best of things even for those who are the worst sinners. If his heart is that big, then our brothers and sisters in Brazil can do wonderful things with him down the path ahead! They also provided drinks and hotdogs with all the fixings for those who wanted some.

We had to leave shortly after for the trek back to the hotel in light rain as the driver was short on time.

Back to last night, three of us had pizza from the mall as dinner: Lyndsay Rex, Zack, and Carl, and through the night, all three got sick. Thinking food poisoning of kinds? But not sure.

We attempted to go to the shopping center this morning, but only made it less than half way, before we transferred to a taxi to go back to the hotel and rest. We slept the entire day, until the group arrived back about 5, where we joined them for church.

I'd love to tell you the scenes from today, but I was not there. But the group went to an old jail, where the cells were converted into small shops with crafts of many kinds available for sale. They also had a visit to the history museum and had a few more tours. I hate missing out on even the littlest thing, but my body was not able to be bounced around on the roads for a days worth of shopping. I believe the ladies did enjoy most the the day, and had Pastor David to keep them in line!

Thanks Andressa for checking on us today and for all that you do! She takes care of us and looks out for us.

Tomorrow we go back to work at mid day, until sunset at 5, and that's another post my friends.

Here are a few photos from today! Good night everyone and have a great Monday!
~Carl

Saturday Wrap Up

To clarify, when I said sick, most had dehydration symptoms which related to tired, not being able to keep things down and woozy or clammy, with light headaches.

All are not back to 100 percent, but around the 80% mark. Nothing to really get worried over, but it's a bummer we can't be at 110%.

We returned from the mall and ate dinner at various restaurants and did a little shopping or more like sight seeing. You think you pay too much for a 42" flat screen LCD? Think again, you could pay double! But relax, Walmart can get you that office chair for 3 easy payments of $50 US, or that TV with payments that would add on 1/5 the total cost! It's nice for a reality check!

Now if anyone is flying down here in the next 6 days, please bring me as many iPad 3's you can get into a suit case! Don't claim anything at customs, they're yours! Wink wink;-/

Sunday is a long day, and we have the pleasure of finally seeing the church tomorrow night. (Most services are held on Sunday evenings in Brazil)

With that said, I need to catch up on some sleep, or prevent losing some so Boa Noitche or Good Night!

Thank you all for the wonder support in any way shape or form and/or by prayers or mumbles! YOU are a BLESSING!

~CrazyCarl

Healing underway!

Lyndsay Rex did have dehydration and was unable to replenish on her own, so the doc advised IV and after most of the mid afternoon under close care, she is back and doing fine. At the same time Lindsay Grace is also feeling better and Carrie is comming back around as well. I guess I gave rough orders over the last two days, but I did allow for an Agua break every 1 minutes, mandatory, or at will in between.

We believe all is well for visiting the mall tonight and we depart in 1.5 hours at 18:00.

The beach crew consisted of Zack, Mary Ann, myself and 6 of our VIM friends, who spent the day with us. Playing soccer, visiting people on the beach, and trying not to be numbed out about the rest, but they were taken care of.

Prayers have been answered, let's hope it doesn't happen again!

I'll let you know what happens this evening, but it will be late.

Not to mention tomorrow is a big day!

Carl