Eu Vou

Am in a challenging phase of language learning now. Am picking up many words and phrases and sometimes can follow a line of thinking. Very difficult to sustain. Constant translation is actually distracting and very difficult even for the best English speakers here. What is evolving is the translator occasionally summarizing and answering questions.
     Finally decided to write names down in a notebook because i am meeting so many people. Maybe this will work. Last night was the second of the conference. At least a thousand and perhaps more in attendance. Many speakers, testimonies and prayers. Eventually this begins to blur as my brain gets tired. I have also told the story about how my foot got injured to at least a hundred different people. As one brother said, this gives me practice in Portuguese.
     Am beginning to adjust to the four meals a day by eating less in each meal. I hope that i don't wake up at midnight to eat when i get home. Culture shock in general is wearing off.
     The most powerful portion of the gathering last night was the worship, and in particular, the powerful worship gift of a young brother named Bruno, a new friend of mine. He and his wife Rafaela and i have gotten close. We were together on the trip to Bahia. He is a songwriter and has written a powerful song that i call Eu vou. (I  will) This is repeated about six times as in I will go, i will sacrifice, i will preach the gospel.
     This morning had a light breakfast, and then off to the gathering. Last night the brothers from Canada, the Amazon and Nepal shared. This morning William, a brother who works with indigenous people in Brazil, and one of his disciples spoke.
   Went to two workshops. The first was Junio from Nepal, and the second was Marcelo, a Brazilian friend living in Virginia. We must have closer to two thousand people today. A young lady named Rebecca helped with translation. She and her friend Susanna, last night's translator are English majors at the university.
   Met a brother from Chile who will visit the US in the fall. Juan Paulo speaks English and Spanish but no Portuguese. My mind is beginning to think a little in Portuguese and i found myself using Portuguese words and phrases before remembering that he doesn't speak it.