We have had an enjoyable October and November so far with several public holidays interspersed to allow us some time out of the usual routine. Children´s Day takes place on 12th October and children tend to receive presents. Schools, churches, shopping centres and the like do special events. We organized a trip with our children from the Saturday kids club to do some wide games and activities at the seminary which boasts wide spaces and huge games hall. The children had some Brazilian hot dogs and were given a small gift at the end. Everyone had an enjoyable morning and it was great to see a few new faces.
Antonio and Stephanie´s school provided a week-long programme including a dressing up party and a trip to the cinema.
The church organised a pyjama party which would be Stephanie´s first time sleeping over somewhere other than her Granny´s. The kids had a great time and we appreciated the effort made by all involved, as well as the chance to go out for dinner, stroll along the sea front and not feel we had to rush back- what a treat….and when is the next one?!
I´m not sure of the exact media coverage in the UK or beyond, but the Brazilian election was quite a trying time. Apart from being bombarded by leaflets and PA systems, protests in the street, tension amongst family and friends and Whatsapp groups, the result was very close but ex-prisoner, left-wing, Lula, was to be voted the next President of Brazil. The team of leaders in our church differed, backing either side of the political spectrum, some publicly, but never from the front of the church I should say. The protests still continue; some say the result was fraudulent, which wouldn´t necessarily surprise me but proving that would be very difficult. As Christians, we can stand firm and know that God is sovereign over all things. The leader is in power because God allowed it and we have a duty to obey his rules.
“Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God” Romans 13.1
Meanwhile, we continue to prepare ourselves for the next chapter God has planned for our family. We will be returning to Scotland next month to start a similar project to Engrenar in Scotland. We have already been spending time over the past few months passing on responsibilities and selling many of our things! There is a lot to think about and a lot for which to prepare but we are trying to take it one step at a time. The children are very excited about Christmas in Scotland, so that helps! But they did meet the Brazilian Santa this week at the shopping centre.
Daniel and Linsey 