April has started off well here in Natal. The weather has started to get cooler, which means it’s 85 degrees instead of 90 and the sun is less strong. But the other night I put on a t-shirt because I got COLD! And goosebumps! It seems winter, aka the rainy season, is well on its way. And I welcome it.
A photo I took from my bedroom window of the rain as it moved north
Easter here is celebrated in similar, yet different ways, than in the USA. For one, there are no bunnies hopping around handing out eggs. They find it quite strange that a rabbit would give out eggs. Instead, their chocolate companies put out giant chocolate eggs filled with, you guessed it, chocolate! This is the Brasilian version of the easter egg, called an Ovo de Pascoa. Wow, they are good! I bought one so I could experience it (and eat it). It was so good, I bought another. Here’s my Diamante Negro (Black Diamond) chocolate Ovo de Pascoa, before and after I unwrapped it.
For Easter, most people here travel to see their families, much like in the USA. At the church, we had a mini retreat. There weren’t a lot of people there, since most were traveling, but it was a lot of fun. We hung out by the pool, played some cards, napped in the hammock…all in our free time. There were several good devotionals. We talked a lot about the resurrection, of course. During one devo, we each shared a verse that meant a lot to us. Mine was Matthew 19:19-20. It encourages me in my work here. We also discussed 1 Corinthians 15:12-19. I’m sure I had read this passage before, but I had never really READ it, if you know what I mean. The Lord used that discussion to really open my eyes to a little more of His truth and how remarkable, miraculous, significant, and divine the resurrection was and is. As Christians, our faith hinges on that one divine act. It proved that Jesus truly was the Son of God. If that tomb hadn’t been empty, our faith would be pointless, or futile as Paul says. Praise God for the empty tomb!
Also on Easter weekend, my roommate returned from her voyage across the Americas. She is now a full-time missionary here. As she settles into her new role, many changes will be made. First, the apartment. Last week, she started the search for a new place to live. I was fortunate enough to go along. We looked at several places. I learned that I love apt hunting! No decisions have been made yet, but there are possibilities. She is also still fundraising for her one-time expenses, including a car and various household appliances (like a new fridge WITH a freezer, which our current one lacks). If you’re interested in contributing, let me know, and I’ll get you the necessary info! On our hunt, we got to see an apt in the building that I’ve wanted to look at for the last, oh, nine months. I just think the buildings are really cool. The apt wasn’t so bad either. Though it’s too small for what she’s looking for, the view was incredible! I would definitely live there, if I had a car.
The building and the magnificent view from the apt (it's hard to see, but the ocean is in the background)
In LST news, my reading sessions are going well. I still love my beginning classes. They are challenging, but we have fun, and they're learning! Hopefully, I’ll be able to start advertising soon to get some new readers as others have gotten very busy and have to come less often. Please pray that the Lord will send new readers who do not know Him and need to hear His message.
