This & That from the Trip

In making this post about our HS Ministry Trip, I discovered something -- in trying to make it easier for me to post, I actually made it so you have to read it in reverse. Sorry! I'm still trying to figure out all the ins and outs of blogging.

I wanted to share some random shots from the trip with you. It was an incredible trip and I could spend hours sharing all the stories and memories that were made. I hope you enjoy taking a peek at our trip. Thank you for your prayers during that time. We had a great time, but are also very glad to be back as a family of 6 under one roof.
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We shared balloons with the Indian children. They loved playing with them.

There are TONS of donkeys in the State of Maranhao. It was not uncommon for the bus or the truck to have to slow way down because there were donkeys on the road.

This cat lived in the Indian village with the missionaries. Her name is Enfermeira, which means Nurse. Her unique eyes, one light blue the other light green, earned her a lot of photo opportunities.

This parrot is one of two that the missionaries had as pets. They spent their days out in the tree by the house and their nights inside the house. They were beautiful.

The Indians do beautiful bead work. Many of the people were wearing elaborately designed necklaces and bracelets. We felt a bit embarrassed at having them make the simple Wordless Book Bracelets when their talents are far and above that task. The saving grace of our simple bracelets was the message of Saving Grace that they proclaimed.

Here's a look at plumbing at its simplest. The water comes out the faucet and then runs out the drain onto...your feet. Makes brushing your teeth a bit more challenging. This was the sink at the sitio where our retreat was. It was next to the bathroom that we affectionately called the Bat room, because the first time we opened the door, a bat flew out. The door to the Bat room is the wooden planks you see in the background.

Here's a picture of a little school house in a village on one of the roads we took into the jungle. Makes me count my blessings in regard to my children's education.

Donkeys weren't the only thing on the roads in Maranhao. We drove through this small herd of cattle one day.

It was a great trip and one that we'll always remember.