Motorbikes, ketchup and an exercise class

As I'm writing this blog, I'm listening to the constant background noise of Brazilian life. It's so different from the quietness of back home and after a few weeks here I'm struggling to remember what it's like to have no noise at all! Here there are always cars beeping, brakes squealing, sirens going, dogs barking, people yelling, waves crashing and most of all a constant backing track of music pumping from the huge speakers that sit in car boots, or are pushed along on wheels. Music is such a massive part of life here. From the children singing (or arguably shouting) worship songs this morning at the project I've just started helping at, to my Brazilian cousin Leo (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHJsS84-nQs) who up until a few moments ago was strumming a guitar at the other end of the table to me, to my Brazilian sister rapping Eminem!

The sunset saxophonist in Jacaré

Since my last blog I've been 'viajando' (travelling) with my Brazilian family for a weekend, which included a particularly embarrassing musical moment, but was on the whole great. We went to Campina Grande, which is a city in the next state up (Paraíba) and was about three hours away, although we stopped both ways in another city called João Pessoa, for two amazing lunches! We were going to Campina Grande in order to go to a motorbike rally where some of my Brazilian parents' friends were taking part in a Christian group called Luz na Estrada/Light on the road (kind of like a Brazilian Bikers for Christ!). This group brings together Christians in the biking world and had two bands singing at the rally, as well as a tent telling people about the work they do and generally getting to know bikers. We didn't actually spend that long at the rally (and to my relief no one discovered my absolute lack of knowledge on anything bike related!) but it was a great weekend of spending more time with people and eating lots of yummy food. On the Sunday we went to a local Baptist church in Campina Grande, which is where the embarrassing musical moment occurred. I didn't actually realise we were going to church until we walked in (!) but they were having a special service about the motorbike rally, which was really exciting to see. However, within about two minutes of arriving, the worship band discovered I was from the UK and I was pulled up front, given a microphone and asked to sing in English! Talk about being put on the spot! However fortunately I knew the song they wanted me to sing and the worship band were pretty loud so I don't think anyone could hear my poor attempt. My Brazilian family found it hilarious, and, as per usual, my Brazilian Dad has a cringeworthy film of the event (to add to the collection of embarrassing videos of me attempting to dance/sing/speak/eat!) However he has also made this video of the weekend which I will allow as it only involves a bit of me making a fool of myself! On the way home from our weekend away we stopped in a place called Jacaré (alligator!) where an amazing saxophonist plays on a kind of canoe/punt while the sun sets. It was even more beautiful than the photos suggest.

Me loving life with an accordian-playing-alligator

Since my last blog I have started helping at a different project in a community called Barra de Jangada. I help there on Monday mornings and sometimes Wednesdays too and so far it's been a really great experience. The children are amazing and in the words of one of the little boys this morning the project is a huge "bênção" (blessing) for all of them. One of the highlights of my time there so far was on Monday when some of the children (who range from 6 up to 12) shared little bits of testimony, stories of how they've seen God working in their lives and their family's lives. Many of these involved their family's lives being transformed out of situations of homelessness, and/or drug and alcohol addiction through coming to know the forgiveness and love of a God who has the power to completely change lives. I shared with them a bit of how God has worked in my life too. There was also a really moving moment when one of the little boys gained his first ever Bible, which he was so so happy about and when the other children had the treat of watching a bit of a film, he chose (and was so excited) to sit and read this new Bible instead. A big challenge to the way in which I approach reading God's word!

Some of the children playing football at the project in Barra de Jangada - I keep trying to play too but it is
 so so hot and being put to shame by incredible Brazilian football skills. Also not quite mastered barefoot playing
on lots of stones yet so Im just the awkward bright red one trying to play in flipflops and sunglasses!

One of the classrooms in Barra de Jangada - this morning the children had a lesson
on writing Portuguese plurals, which was so useful for me too!

On Sunday I was running the teenagers group with a friend called Rafael. I was slightly concerned that it was all going to descend into complete chaos as my plans included a play in which Rafa got covered in ketchup, egg, flour, yogurt and caramel sauce! It went well though - Rafa knows just what to say to get the teenagers' attention and as predicted they loved the chance to cover him in food!

One really exciting thing from this week has been an exercise class starting up with women in Porta Larga (the community where I'm working). Judith ran one in the past and decided to restart it, after the funeral of pretty young lady in the community a few weeks ago and a reminder of how little awareness of a healthy lifestyle there is. The first class was on Monday and went really well. Six women came (and one of their little girls who at about 4 had better coordination than me!) Judith runs this with a exercise video and it took place in a little Anglican church on the edge of Porta Larga that started up 2 years ago. The Pastor was lovely and so happy to see the building being used for the community, if you're a praying person please pray for this class, that it would bring a better awareness of a healthy lifestyle and be a great way to reach out to women.

Also, this is old news now but the Christmas tree went up here (ON THE 25TH OCTOBER!) which is pretty exciting. We also have two wreaths a snowman and a Nativity scene. Christmas is coming :) I tried (and pretty much failed!) to capture the strangeness in this photo of a Christmas tree beside a hammock looking out at blue skies and a very hot beach, however you get the idea!

Despite all these exciting things, there has also been really sad news this week. Yesterday little Lara Isabel, the daughter of one of our pastor's at church, died at just 21 days old. You might remember from one of my past blogs that she was born very prematurely (at not quite 6 months) and after fighting for 3 weeks she suffered 2 heart attacks earlier this week. Please pray for her parents, Rodrigo and Darlane, and for the church at this time.

I hope things are well with you, please keep in touch, I would love to hear from you and thank you so much for all your emails, skypes and letters. It makes my day when the Porter of the block of flats gives me post!

Lots of love from Flo (to keep up the name updates the latest name that a few people have gone for is Flor da Caribe (Caribbean Flower!!) No idea why, but it sounds exotic so I'll just roll with it! xxx