Brazil 4, Post # 4

This is a vacation period in Brazil, and as i walk along the beach there are numerous volleyball games in progress, with anywhere from one on one to full teams, little children to people my age. The soccer influence is obvious as players bounce balls off their heads or bodies as they would in playing soccer. One end of the beach has fresh fish for sale, with their strange protruding eyes. Police patrol in pairs on bicycles. There is a clearly defined bike trail adjacent to the walking area set apart by its reddish color. Crossing it is taking your life in your hands. Wednesday evening had time with a young man whom i met last year. We mix English and Portuguese in our conversation. Interacting with those of the younger generation is one of the highlights of my time here. Later we join up with 2 other younger friends. One, the son of Brazilian missionaries, has lived in numerous countries, with three years the longest in any one, and speaks a number of languages at age 13. Last night went to a home group meeting and had an opportunity to share with about fifteen people on the theme of personal relationship with God, and His ardent desire for this. I spoke in my halting Portuguese although did make a joke successfully. Several others shared after me. So much depends on how rapidly someone speaks. With one man i could never catch up; with another i had a good grasp of what he shared. Wedding plans and ceremonies can be almost as complex here as in the US. The stress, innumerable details, expectations, and sheer time and energy to pull this off is unbelievable. As with the celebration of the birth of Christ at Christmas, the original intent is largely lost.