Brazil Day 2

09/19/2010
We slept until 10 then went to the airport, which is about 5 minutes from their home for Cappuccino and Espresso with Brazilian pastry filled with heart of Palm and the Brazilian cheese rolls. Ohhhh sooo good!
We then headed to Rio Largo the place where the floods this summer killed thousands of people. On the way they the country side is amazingly beautiful. Rolling hills scattered across them are herds of white Brahma bulls. Different types of fruit trees. Then we were welcomed with another area very similar to where we had church the night before. Sad. It was like the entrance to the town. Once in town we stopped so Elder and Bro. Michael Alvear could explain what happened to the homes, where the waterline was on the homes, the utter devastation of what the flood did and the hopelessness. While we were stopped to boys came up to the driver’s side wind to ask for change. They had a coverless soccer ball that was nothing more than threads wrapped around the core. Elder Alvear gave them some money and I gave them 1 Real’ each (Brazilian dollar). He told them to go around and thank me and give me a hug. They did and they were more than willing to get their picture taken, in fact Most Brazilian’s are happy to have their picture taken.
On the plane from Sao Paulo to Maceio Jonathan commented on how much ALL of them continuously took pictures of each other and of people around them.
As we journeyed further in, we saw the destruction, roads and railroad tracks completely gone. One spot, the Mayors home over looked the destruction and they were locked inside this beautiful home and having a very loud party. The Government will not help the folks of Rio Largo whatsoever and the
Mayor is having parties in the middle of such loss, hopelessness and destruction. Honestly, I was furious.
We drove around the town and it reminded me of a VERY OLD New Orleans where Bourbon Street is. Very narrow roads, people pushing wheelbarrows around hauling their goods they bought from the street markets.
Oh, one thing I didn’t mention and that’s the bicycles, motorcycles about 125 cc – 250cc but not many larger than 600 cc riding all over the place. The cars are tiny; in fact several are not even sold in the US. The people here drive like maniacs. People don’t think about walking right in front of moving vehicles. Horns are constantly “beeping” (I really can’t call it honking). LOL. There are even horse/mule drawn buggies being pulled.
We also drove to a place where it was utter destruction from the floods. Not a single home remained. People set up lean-to’s and cardboard huts as squatters hoping the government would come and rebuild for them. These people lost everything they had. Even when they had something it wasn’t much at all.
After that we headed back to the Church compound. We were to meet at a nice Churrascaria but ladies and sinner ladies showed up at the Alvears for lunch (they got confused and were suppose to show up the next Sunday), but that didn’t deter the Alvears. Sis. Alvear stayed behind and I told the Elder that I’m with him, if he wanted to stay and eat with the ladies so would we. It looked like relief was on his face and in fact they ladies were actually very glad that we stayed to eat with them. Bro. and Sis. Alvear then told us that the people were honored that we Americans would sit down and eat a common meal with them. Toward the end of the meal, I wanted a few more beans but I couldn’t find a spoon. So I asked if I could pour the beans on top of my rice. I proceeded to do so and one lady told Sis. Alvear that I passed the “test” and that I was now Brazilian. LOL!
We left from there and went to a small store about 2 blocks away and Elder Alvear took us to see the government housing and the “plastic town.” Where homes are set up with whatever material could be found.
My camera battery died so we didn’t stay long.
At service I preached on Acts 18: 1-11 about where Paul had a vision and Jesus told him that He has many people in that city. God really did a great work. 5 received the Holy Ghost, 16 were baptized in the wonderful Name of Jesus Christ, 1 man who was tortured his life with demons was delivered, and in fact he was into some sort of witchcraft. The demons were trying to get him to leave but he came forward to the altar at the end of service. One man was dancing and shouting, the testimony here is 2 weeks ago he had a spinal injury and the doctors said he would get to a point where he wouldn’t be able to walk; he walked on the crutches that wrap around your wrists. He was prayed for 2 weeks ago and miraculously healed!
After service we went to a sandwich stand right in the middle of a poor area, but then again the whole area is poor. After we ordered we were waiting for our food, these 2 little boys stopped by our table asking for change, we gave them a little. Then they turned around and went to a table that had not been cleaned off yet to see if there was food. The food they are eating are leftovers that were given them by the cooks. I wanted to get a pic of them and when I stood up and went toward them, their eyes got as big as silver dollars and they starting backing up, Sis. Fatima (her and her son Kelvin live with the Alvears) ran to them to explain that I wouldn't hurt them. They reluctantly and shyly allowed me to take their pic. After this I gave them 5 Real’s. They immediately went to the cooks and bought a Brazilian hot dog. They were so hungry. It broke my heart. :(
Well it’s almost 2:30 a.m. so I’m hitting the sack. So much to write about.