Sunday, August 9, 2009

Igussu Falls Brazil South America

These photos are from the falls area and these were all taken by us. I know these almost look fake but believe me they are real. It's an amazing place and the power of the falls is awesome.


We saw butterfly's that were also amazing. Charlotte had a great camera for these close ups.


I thought this was wonderful that in a national park there was a plaque with a Bible verse. They have more freedom than we do when it comes to religion.



Amazing butterfly!! I'll post more photos soon!!




Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Brazil II

The children dressed up as country people and did Brazilian dances and sang songs for us. Several months a year they do this country day and they are so good at the dances and the songs. Even the three year old that is the youngest knows the songs and dances. This was such a treat for us to be part of their special day and we were told they had been practising hard to make sure that they did a good job. What can I say but that we were so blessed to have these days to share with them. They don't see Americans so we were quite the oddity though we don't look all that different. These were horses or mules that were staked out eating grass. This is within city limits and it's okay. A lot of people have chickens that just run all over and I don't know how they know whose chicken is whose.
This is one of the neighborhood liquor stores. I'm not a drinker but I had the Skol beer (2 glasses? total) and it's a low alcohol content beer and they served it ice cold and it was good. It could be years before I have a beer again.


We were there during their winter/rainy season and this is the wet muddy red clay.

This is one of the government homes that has been built for the poor. The people must then make small monthly payments for 10 or 20 years and the house is theirs. The streets have now been paved but were just dirt roads and this is in the city limits. Some of the houses are very well kept and I was told that those people have factory jobs and can afford more. In this neighbor hood I saw driveways that were stone tiles. The tiles must be cheap to use and I loved how the people go out and mop the driveway! It's really cool to see white tile as the driveway!! Something I had never seen.


The last day we were in Brazil we went to Falls Iguacu. No words can describe this falls. You have to see them to believe them and hear the sounds of the falls. This would be an area for a family trip that is very educational and the World's largest Power Plant right down the road.






Photos of some of the kids. Very loving happy children for the lives they have led and lead every day. The three children on the left side of the photo are brother and sisters.




I've been very sick the last few days and have not continued to post about our trip. I hope to have copies of every ones photos tonight and then I will add better ones than mine. As I get better I will add more information. Brazil is a very interesting country. Guess this is all today as I need to lie down again. Three of us have come down with sinus that is quite severe for two of us.







Saturday, July 11, 2009

Irish Giveaway

Micki at Irish Muses - see button to the right is doing an Irish Giveaway. Check it out and also check out the entire blog! Thanks Micki!!

Friday, July 10, 2009

Is this girl beautiful? She is holding up the bag we gave her with a new tooth brush, tooth paste, candy (I know that defeats the purpose), a card from our school children and a little toy. The children above are holding up their bags. There were 500 children at the two daycares and this was a lot for us to carry. The next time we go we will bring another suitcase for each person and we will fill them with soap, shoes (very expensive there) and other items that they need. This is our first time there and the first time that there has been a mission group so it was a learning experience. Now we know more but as always you learn more each time. Beautiful people inside and out!! KISS for everyone!!
The two daycares have a staff that love these children very very much and once you meet them you fall in love with them also. They get noisy and act like our kids but there is a difference that they don't expect anything. So when they are given something they are very thankful and happy. These children are clean for the most part but their families are very poor. This daycare offers them an opportunity to play games with others, learn, have a snack and most important is that they have a religion class. They also have a lady that comes in once a week and teaches them gymnastics and a wonderful lady that teaches them art and making crafts that are sold to make money to run the day cares. The gymnastics that are exceptional put a program together for us and did a fantastic job.
More later about Brazil! Please leave a comment if you are interested in this group as I will be able to give you more details.
Have a Wonderful Day!!

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

I'm Back!! Brazil Trip

These are photos of the largest Power Plant in the world. This power plant is between Brazil and Paraguay and the workers are 50/50 from each country. It's an amazing site and for me I could not imagine even putting the plan together much less surpervising the workers. Paraguay receives 100% of their electric power from this plant and Brazil receives 75%. If anyone is ever in the area then this is a very interesting place to go. I know that you're thinking a power plant but it is a place worth going.


This is Judy and Ruth Anne with one of the boys at the home we were at. He was there because his father was an alcholic and he kicked him a lot.



This is our group with two men who teach the children a Brazillian dance that is like fighting without touching. The work with the children around the city to teach them skills and hopefully it will help to keep them off the streets and they will say no to alcohol and drugs.




This is one of the day care girls doing this dance. We had painted their faces that day.



Here is a photo of Dorcas II and the children.
This is a wonderful project and if anyone who reads this would like to donate money to this project; just e-mail me and I can get you in touch with the people there. care@stpeters-columbus.org
Also, I can give you additional information.
More later and lots more photos. We must have taken 2,000 between the eight of us.