A view from the couch

~By Josh (some parts) & Brin (the other parts)

I'm currently laid up with a bum knee as a result of playing soccer with much younger Brazilians.  As I sat on the grass, insult was added to injury when one of the opposing players asked if I was 50 yet. Apparently my clock is running out so while I convalsece on the couch I will get you all caught up on ministry comings and goings.

In Feb. I attended a factory training at the Continental Motors facilities in AL.  The training was especially timely because about 2 weeks after returning I learned that a fellow mechanic, Victor, a Brazilian who has much more experience than I do, would be leaving Asas to work in another ministry.  Although we are sad to see Victor go, I can see how God has been preparing me to be able to take over the responsibilities as the sole full-time mechanic in our shop.

One area of prayer would be my Brazilian mechanics license.  I have been attempting to get my license here in Brazil for 4 frustrating years.  It seems like the process has completly stopped and so we have decided to start over.  Unfortunately this means resubmitting the myriad of documents that the Brazilian aviation authority requires as proof of my training in the States.  My need for a Brazilian license is all the more pressing now that Victor is no longer here.  As it stands currently, I can work on the planes, but someone else is required to sign off my work.  This can add a lot more work as someone either has to double check my work, or sign it off trusting that I have done it. 

   Ok, it's Brin turn. We recently celebrated Mia's 12th birthday tubing with classmates on the river. Also, some of the students had their first ever good ole American banana split!

I am the homeroom teacher for 7/8 grade (and that's my sweetie Ava standing next to me).  All of my students are bilingual and some even have English as their third language which makes for some interesting conversations.  I am also the Senior Sponsor so coming up (when you least expect it!) is Pqq's annual "Senior Sneak" where the senior and I will slip away for a 5 day getaway. 

It's rainy season, which means it's a race to see what will happen first: will the laundry dry before it starts to smell moldy?  Which is sorta surreal because it was only 3 months ago that our well got so low we were bathing and doing laundry in the river.  But the rainy season also brought us these gorgeous jambo blooms that make a delicate fuchsia carpet I walk on each day. 

 And speaking of fungi, look at this beauty of a mushroom.  I took this photo while out searching for glow-in-the-dark slime mold with the Biology students.  We found some, but it was disheartening to me that their young eyes perceived it before mine could.  So there you go,  Josh and I will be coming home with a cane and bifocals. 

Home, you say?  Yes, indeed!  We have tickets to travel back to the US for a quick trip this summer.  The purpose is to give us some "breathing space" so that we can continue on with ministry for the long-haul. Also,  Josh will begin the process of working towards his pilot's license, an endeavor that is more economical in the US.  Gabriella will make a few college visits and of course we can't wait to hug all our family and friends! You'll have to pardon the mold smell.