October 20, 2011
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They came running down the dirt road, the puffs of dust scattering behind them. They were wet and happy, just come from the river, where they swam and pretended to help their mother wash clothes. She walked slowly behind them, a big tub of clothes balanced on her head. They saw me from a distance, and I waved.
“Tia Raquel! Tia Raquel!” They shouted, and Neto, wearing torn underwear, came running, with Erasmas and Polyana close behind him. Hugs were given freely and fiercely. And I think I was born for moments like these. Two children tucked under my arms with two more holding my hands, looking up at me with big smiles.
It is hard to pinpoint just when you move from stranger to friend. In 2009 I started going every day to Living Stones Paudalho. I brought Uno, or Memory, or Candyland. I played dodgeball until the bottom of my feet were sore from the pebbles in the dirt. I greeted each one with a “Good Morning” and made sure to look every child in the eyes when we said “Goodbye.” It was a good time.
When I returned to Brazil in 2011, the program ended. The church was doing construction, and the government was corrupt and didn’t care enough to provide the funds that it had promised to continue the program. But those friendships has been built, and we work to keep connected. We had the Christmas party in January, and the Easter party. Now, we will have the Children’s day party.
I’ve been passing out invitations this week. The party is next Tuesday. Mercia, one of the older girls, has been kind enough to take me around many of the homes—she knows everyone. Most of the time we have a whole train of children around us, little ones running ahead to yell, “Tia Raquel is here! And we are going to have a party!”
Even Marcone, my deaf boy (who is now taller than me!) was grunting and making guestures to one of the kids to go get an invitation from me. I ask them how they’ve been, and to make sure to come because there will unlimited cotton candy and popcorn and clowns and a bounce house.
I’ve been around to visit the homes of the children over five times now, so the mothers are getting to know me and warm up to me—except for the occasional one who will stare at me like an alien and say “I don’t understand a word she is saying—what kind of accent does she have?” Some of the mothers shyly ask if they can come to the Children’s day party too. “Of course!” I smile.
I’ve been running around like crazy with party preparations. It is harder than it looks. So many people have donated things from the USA and from Brazil—my apartment was covered in presents as I tried to organize almost 200 gift bags: pencils and erasers and journals from Cherrylynn and her VBS kids in Texas, bookmarks and stickers from Disneyland, Lik-a-Made from the Youth Center, toys from Karianne and her mother’s ladies group in Michigan, toys from Sandra in Paudalho, snacks from the ladies in Cajueiro claro…This day is being made special from so many!
Everyone who purchased jewelry made in Brazil (and to Nicki)—thank you—because that money is providing for the party package with clowns and balloons and a bounce house and trampoline and pool of balls. I’ve already signed up everyone I could from the Paudalho church to come and help out—singing songs and giving a Bible lesson for the kids as well. I am recruiting as many photographers as possible to capture moments to share with everyone who has become a part of this project. It is truly a time to celebrate these special ones who are so close to the heart of Jesus.
There is still time to give! If you would like to help out with some of the last minute expenses (because those always happen), please go to www.wribrazil.com to donate. Please write in the comment area that it is for the Children’s day party.
(Daniel, celebrating with us for Children’s day in 2009)
