I present to you, Cleny!

post by~ Brin and Gabriella

Sorry for the delay, but I would like to introduce you all to the newest member of our family, Cleny Carvalho.

When we announced to our friends that we were moving to Manuas, we received several subtle suggestions from friends who wanted to move with us. We were not surprised, living in Manuas allows for more schooling and job options as well as just a chance for our young friends to spread their wings.  We had some obvious contenders, and we prayed about each of them. But we decided on inviting Cleny to join us after she told me about a conversation she had while we were on furlough. Cleny was jobless and living with a family from church (Agostinho and Natal). At one point, Natal asked Cleny to start making some movement towards her future. So, Cleny shared that her dream was to move to a city and go to college. She would be the first in her family and as her mother put it, showed much potential. For sure a lofty goal considering her lack of many crucial factors: education, experience, finances and particularly in this culture, family and social connections. The two discussed potential options and for various reasons Natal admitted she could not bless any of them. God, however, is not hindered by any of Cleny's impediments, and it is in fact when He moves most mightily. Josh and I seriously began to discuss, pray and consider if this was God's assignment for our family. We chatted with the Pastors at church and her discipleship partner and all gave us their enthusiastic blessing. I am honored that God chose our family be a part of shaping her life, and thankful of His provision for such a wonderful new "daughter" in our family.

Cleny has already started a dental hygiene program. She is incredibly proud of herself for getting enrolled, learning the bus system and learning to budget her income to pay for her tuition all on her own. A huge accomplishment that is even more noteworthy considering the contrast of her upbringing with a mother who was an indigenous Indian that taught a different knowledge base and value system. Cleny works in afternoons as our house helper which provides an assured income for her and an assured warrior alongside me as we fight mold and mildew together.  Speaking of mold, that brings to thought a funny story....


I have noticed that I have a way of conversing with Cleny where I do not put nearly as much effort into grammar and pronunciation as I would if I were conversing with others. She gets me, even when I mix verbs tenses and speak quickly. This lack of concentration has led to many humorous language bloopers. One day, completely exasperated by the level of unprecedented humidity and mold in my life, I hastily complained to Cleny that the cornmeal I had just bought a week earlier had molded in it's original package. UGH. "To keep our food fresh, we should put all grains in a plastic toilet (vaso) right away," I advised her. She playfully snickers but gives no indication that she was going to correct me. "I mean container (vasilia)," I sheepishly admit. She keeps laughing and then tells me how earlier in the week she was running out the door and Josh yelled for her to take her clothing wardrobe (guarda-roupa). So she grabbed the umbrella (guarda-chuva) and left the house with a grin. Why would she correct us and chance losing her entertainment?! Ella is also delightfully entertained by our bloopers. And also annoyed and embarrassed too.

To finish out this post, here is an interview that Ella did with Cleny:

Gabriella: What are you dreams for the future?

Cleny: I dream to have a degree in Law or Dentistry. I also want to marry and have children.

Gabriella: What is the hardest thing about living here?

Cleny: The city is very dangerous, and the transit is very crazy. It's also very hard to live away from my family and friends. But I do like challenges.

Gabriella: How has God helped you? 

Cleny: In all that I do I first ask God if it's his will. And he always helps me with his answer. With the prayers of my friends and the support of my new family, the Pflederer family.

Gabriella: What is your favorite food?

Cleny: Fish, rice and beans.

Gabriella: What do you think about the mold in your room? 

Cleny: The mold smells really bad and it has weakened my health and breathing. I had a  cold, cough and a sore throat for a long time. Sometimes the stink is stronger than other times.

Gabriella: What do you think about Josh not allowing animals in the house?

Cleny: Haha! This is very good! Josh is very wise! But, if we had a dog like Cody, then I would love it. Cody doesn't poop in the house and is very big.

Gabriella: What was the scariest thing you've been through?

Cleny: I was in a bus accident when I was 15 years old. The bus was doing down a steep hill and the brakes weren't working. There was a river at the end of the road but God blessed the driver so instead of driving into the river, he crashed into a tree. I was in the front of the bus and glass broke on me and I went unconscious. When I woke up many people were hurt. Children had broken arms and legs, and lots had cuts and bruises. When I came to, I was the only one that wasn't hurt. I prayed and God saved me.

*Cody was our trusted guard dog back in Altamira. His aggressiveness was known and feared in the neighborhood which provides a lot of peace when I was home alone. Here in Manaus our neighbors put their guard dogs on their roofs and they pace back and forth all night. We don't have a guard dog, what we want is pet. Someone won't let us have one.

The five of us girls on a day trip to visit some local waterfalls. Our family's preferred way of relaxing. Poor Josh, between my homeschool helpers from years past and now Cleny he is always thoroughly outnumbered.