Hello from beautiful Fortaleza! It seldom rains here this time of year, but it has rained on us one day and we were so hot we just stood in it and enjoyed the relief. It really is not much hotter here than at home, but the sun is so powerful at the equator it makes it seem much hotter.
Your mission team is no longer just a team - we have truly become a family as we work and play together. The work is hard but we play much harder. It may seem odd to speak of a mission team playing, but as we dance and sing songs with the children and the adults, we are building relationships that will stand the test of time, as will the building we are working on.
As we were met at the airport in Fortaleza in the wee hours of the morning, not only was the pastor there accompanied by his wife and children, but the district superintendent was also there. We received hugs rather than hand shakes. They accepted us as their family and said they had been praying for us for a whole year. Imagine that! As we were in the states I had been planning and praying for them for a year. Isn´t Jesus´ family amazing?
As we arrived at the job site, everyone received hugs from the children and the adults as though they had known us for a year. As wonderful as all of this sounds, it gets even better. In no time Pastor Pedro´s wife Franci was joining us in work and dance. Even the ladies that cook our lunch at times join us in our labor. I know it is hard to believe - but children from 7 to 17 also join beside us as we labor. I know we came to serve our Christian brothers and sisters in Fortaleza, but if blessings could be measured our cups would truly overflow from the love the people of this church and neighborhood have shown to us. I can´t wait to share our stories with you in person.
Peace,
Jimmy
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