settling in...

My first four days in Rio de Janeiro, Brasil have gotten off to a good start! My luggage arrived one day after I did due to some flight delays making my connection in Miami. I barely made the flight, but my luggage didn’t. When my luggage did arrive, the driver from the airline would not drive into the favela neighborhood to deliver my luggage. I was away with Rich visiting some of their friends on the streets. So, poor Rebecca had to enlist one neighbor to watch the baby while she went with another neighbor to drag my two heavy bags a few blocks through the neighborhood to their home where I am staying. So much for not drawing attention to my stuff and heavy bags. My excuse is…books are heavy!

The WMF staff here have taken good care of me and given me space to settle into life here these first few days. It is a lot different settling into 3 ½ months here versus my usual 2-3 week visits other places. These first few weeks will be primarily Portuguese lessons and settling into a rhythm of life and ministry here. I have a lot to observe and learn these first days…getting around on public transportation, shopping for food, and getting used to life here in the favela. I will also spend time getting introduced to the ministry opportunities here and meet their friends. After a couple weeks I will then flesh out more of a weekly routine on where and how I will spend my time.

There are lots of sights and sounds to take in. I am at a loss on how to even describe it yet. Maybe I will be able to after a little more time here? Each night has been full of new sounds in the favela…loud music of all varieties, Pentecostal preachers, Friday night “bale funk” party, fireworks, and cats in heat just outside our bedroom door. Good thing I can roll over and go back to sleep pretty easily!

I am grateful for all the prayers and emails across the miles as I settle into life here. I know God has much to teach me during these months here. I pray that I will have open eyes to see, ears to listen, and a receptive heart to learn and grow.