Mannequins and Evil Spirits - by Aaron

Greetings friends and family! - by Aaron

As September draws to a close, our feet are on the ground and we feel like we're running a bit more smoothly. We've made several friends at our new church called Redenção ('redemption' in English) where Joyce has already started a mom's Bible study group. Last weekend, we met some of Austin's classmates and their parents at his school's culture fair and then joined them for a barbecue. I just finished an interesting study of local government partnerships with NGOs in the context of an anti-poverty program. Now, only final exams and papers stand between me and the completion of my first quarter here at FGV, which means only three quarters remain before we launch into whatever God has for us next.

Here's a sample (not, by any means, representative) of some recent experiences here in São Paulo:

Shivering Mannequins! Yes, as I walked by a clothing store on my way to school I noticed that the mannequins, which last week wore tank tops and swimsuits, were now wearing peacoats and sweaters. The temperature last week was steady around 95 degrees and plummeted this week to around 45 degrees. One day we even had strong enough wind gusts that sent the wind chill below freezing. What a start to Spring!?!

Closing the Loop. One of the highlights of my Development and Sustainability class was a field trip to three local companies involved in a fascinating supply chain. The first company was a trash collection and separation co-op formed by favela residents with technical and capital assistance from the City and a few large companies. This co-op sold its separated materials for reuse by other companies such as the second stop on our trip - Suzano. Suzano, a large paper and pulp company, purchases TetraPak materials from the co-op and separates out the paper product from the aluminum and plastic. Then, it sells the aluminum and plastic to a third company, Ciclo, that uses these materials to make durable, affordable roof tiles. Clusters like these can dramatically improve both our environmental and economic efficiency.

Singled Out. Due to my evening classes, I eat dinner away from home at least twice a week. As such, I've been frequenting a cheap little restaurant next to campus called Galo Rei (King Rooster) and building friendships with the waiters. It has also been a good place to pop in for a juice with my classmates. One evening, I was sitting at the counter in the middle of the restaurant reading for class while waiting for my meal when an old woman entered the restaurant and started cursing at me telling me to leave. She said she represented a queen demon and that I was of the Kingdom of God and had no business there. As she walked off shouting and pointing angrily, I turned to others nearby and the waiter behind the counter to ask if anyone knew who she was. Oddly, nobody even noticed the scene! Just another reminder of the spiritual world all around us.

Well, I hope you are safe, sound and sanguine about tomorrow!

God bless,

Aaron Pierce

Extravagant Celebration

A few weeks ago, we were invited to the birthday party of a little boy turning one in our church. We were excited about the invitation knowing our boys would enjoy it. We had no idea what awaited it. It was the biggest party I have ever been to. WE ALL had a blast. I'll let the pictures tell the story! (Disclaimer - I only had my iTouch - the quality of the pictures are poor!)



Cake Table - The boys are in front of it so you can have an idea of the size of it!

 

close up of cupcakes and "docinhos" (truffles)

These were on an electronic lazy susan spinning. There's a lion missing - I'll bet I can guess who's little hands grabbed that one :)

 

 

First ride of the night - a mini "Superman" ride like at Six Flags over Texas

Austin was really brave and asked to jump right on. He didn't last the whole ride, but luckily it was only he and daddy on it so they stopped the ride for him to get off!

 

Soccer court!

Driving arcade game with Daddy!

Jonathan's turn!

Cupcake ride in the "baby" corner!

Bird man on stilts. This is a view from the second floor because Austin was PETRIFIED of this thing!

Puppet show!

Dangling from the celling!

Close up of the cake - probably about 4 feet tall

Singing happy birthday!

I think I like it!

Austin eating one of the cupcake toppers - he quickly discovered the ball was styrofoam and not eatable!

Last ride of the night - for the big kids! Mini rollercoaster that flew over the whole party!

We had so much fun at this party. Obviously the entertainment was incredible. The things pictured here are only a fraction of what was offered. I didn't get pictures of the food brought to you throughout entire evening. Or the milkshake made to order stand. Or the candy corner. Or the giant beach balls on top of the water that kids could get INSIDE and play in the water. The party was an extravagant celebration. This family had a really hard time having children. They celebrated their son's life very well that night. I walked away thinking - If this family celebrated the first year of this little boys life in such a huge way, I wonder what God's celebration of His children looks like! I was left dreaming of what it would be for my Heavenly Father to celebrate me as His daughter. What a neat thought!

His Care

I was briskly woken up at 1am. Austin was crying an unusual cry. I met him in his room. He was sitting up in his bed mumbling through his cry, "My tummy hurts, my tummy hurts, my tummy hurts..." Initially he didn't want to come down, he didn't want to me to hold him, he didn't want to go to the bathroom. He just squirmed and incessantly repeated, "My tummy hurts, my tummy hurts, my tummy hurts..." I finally got him to come down and use the restroom, but there was no consoling him. I woke Aaron up. He was puzzled by Austin's condition. I had never seen Austin like this. He's had big falls, he's been sick, but I'd never seen my baby squirm in pain. At one point he even got on the floor in a fetal position. My mind raced:

What in the world are we going to do?
Should we take him to the hospital?
Do we both go and drag Jonathan along or does just one of us go?
Where is the closest hospital anyway?
How do we call a cab at this time of night?
Is it serious?
Are we dealing with something time sensitive?
Should we call an ambulance?
How do you call an ambulance?

It's times like these that I feel like yelling out, "Where's the adult here to tell me what do to?!?!"
I felt so helpless. Austin was still inconsolable. What could be wrong with him? At this point his stomach is red from him rubbing it so much.  I ended up crying with him. Aaron said we should probably take him in to the ER. We decide that one of us would go so we didn't have to wake Jonathan. Austin was stuck like clue to me. I knew would be the one that would have to go with him. The thought of getting in a cab to go to the hospital in São Paulo alone with my sick kid at 2am brought panic to me.

Rachel, your neighbor, is a pediatrician. Call her.

It was as if God whispered that in my ear. I'd only had a few exchanges with Rachel because she and her husband left for vacation shortly after we met. They spent nearly a month in the US and just arrived back a few days ago. In the couple times we chatted before they left, she mentioned she was a pediatrician and said to let her know if we ever needed anything.

Though I felt horrible for waking her, I was so incredibly relieved to hear her voice on the other line. She was calm and willing to help. She had me bring Austin over (she literally lives across the hall - we didn't even have to take the elevator!). After a quick exam, she deduced that Austin had a lot of gas, and cramping that may lead to diarrhea. Whew - that's it? She even had medication for gas cramping that we were able to give him. By 2:30, my baby was sound asleep as if nothing had happened!

I cannot begin to express how God's care for me is so incredibly personal! My neighbor across the hall is a pediatrician. The fact that I even knew that, seemed miraculous at 2am last night. She was so gracious and loving. She called to check on Austin this morning. No ER visit for gas, no cab ride in the middle of the night. No exploration of hospitals. Just a quick trip across the hall to meet to be met with a smile and a calm voice. Her expertise assured us that everything was fine and that Austin would be OK. What could have been an ordeal of countless hours, lasted 45 minutes. God takes care of us. I have seen it over and over again in this transition to Brazil. Today I am overwhelmed with gratitude for it!

Live Like Your Not Leaving

As my heart seems to have pieces of it scattered all over the world, I'm asking myself what is this?

Oh, how I long to spend time with that friend who taught me to live fully in the moment.....
I remember such sweet times with that family, we were so spontaneous and had so much fun....
How bout so and so who would shape me with just a few simple words....
Ah - what I'd give to let my boys play with those kids again....
How amazing it would be to have coffee with that girlfriend who fully gets me- no explanations....
Oooo- how cool it would be to live in the same city with that family-what fun....
My heart would delight in gathering those couples together again for another 5 hour dinner...
A game of Catan with those sweet friends after the kids go to bed - yes please....

These are things just a small examples of thoughts crossing my mind. There are so so many more. Sometimes that makes my heart ache. Today I asked myself what is this about? Why does my heart have pieces in New York, Texas, Florida, Washington DC, Ohio, California, Fortaleza, Belem, Recife, Japan, Indonesia, West Africa...

 

LIVE LIKE YOUR NOT LEAVING

 

 

That's what we've felt we were called to do in each place we've lived. As we have moved here there and everywhere often not knowing how long we'd get to be there, it's as if God whispered to us, "Live like your not leaving - you'll live fully that way." It's been so true. We've lived fully. We've gotten to experience tremendous blessings of loving people deeply no matter how long we had with them. Sometimes it was 5 years, sometimes if was 4 months. But the reality is that in each time, there was significant contributions to my life because of it. So as I look at this new season in Sao Paulo, I am reminded

 

 

LIVE LIKE YOUR NOT LEAVING - Live fully - Love deeply

 

 

As I studied creation in Genesis, I reminded that God's masterpiece are his people. I am reminded that God in His essence is relationship. I am reminded that He created us for relationship. I value people. I love people. So even if it means a little ache, as my hearts scatters a little more, the sacrifce is well worth it. It's almost as if our heart just gets a little bigger with each additional person we have the privilege of loving!

 

Biddy Cyber Fun

 

Tonight we happened to have a spontaneous Skype playdate with the our friends Jessica, Sam and Zack back in New York. The beauty of this Skype call is that it was a true playdate. Typically, our boys don't last much longer than 5-10 minutes on skype. Tonight they surprised me! Much like what we regularly did throughout last year, we "met up" shortly after naps. All the boys played with play dough. Jonathan and Austin made birthday cakes for the Biddy boys. And Sam and Zack made dinosaurs. Jess and I struggled for conversation amidst the chaos - an oh so familiar feeling - that tonight brought big smiles to my heart. When realizing the boys were doing so well on Skype and dinner time was approaching, we decided to have dinner together. We left skype on for the boys to "play" while Jess and I got dinner together.

 

 

We got to pray together and share a meal. Thousands of miles apart, it was a real live playdate! The boys had a blast, my heart was warmed.

This time was so significant on many levels. First - thank you all the incredible brains out there that made technology possible for this to happen. Secondly - I praise God (literally) that I live in a time where technology is this advanced. I think about missionaries that went out with one way tickets and their only form of communication was snail mail letters that took months to arrive. I could not have lived across the world from so many dear ones in that era. Also, this time was so special because it once again brought forth the preciousness of this friendship. Right about this time last year was when I met Jessica and her sweet little men. From the very first conversation she has been an "old" friend. The cautious, sometimes awkward exchanges that often come with new friendships, never existed with Jessica. Imediately after meeting one another, there was a comfort level to share life significantly.  It sure helped that our boys loved one another and so did our husbands. The Biddy's were a true gift of fellowship to us Pierces during the last year.
 
In one short year, Jessica and I were able to journey together deeply. We shared mommy burdens and joys. We lived in community together. She and her family served our family so selflessly time and time again. We ministered together. We worshiped together. We processed together. We mourned and rejoiced. We cried often, and laughed more. We prayed. What a treasured friend.

October 2011 Apple Picking

July 2012 Saying goodbye

 

 

This week I'd really been missing Jessica. I've missed having a new mommy friend that feels like she's always been in my life. I've longed to be in Jessica's home. To prepare a meal together as we listen our husbands having deep conversation and to try to talk over the laughter of our boys. Though that is not possible, I am filled with gratitude that a skype playdate was possible. The reality is, anything you say yes to, you have to say no to another thing. We've said yes to following the Lord in this season of living in Brazil. That means we've had to sacrifice countless things that we long for. What I've learned, especially this week, is that my God knows me intimately. He is keenly aware of my longings and He knows just what I need when I need it. Tonight it was a cyber playdate :) 

Neighbors = New Friends

Our building has been a great source of friends for the boys. The majority of the kids that "play" are older than our boys, but they have enjoyed being around the neighborhood kids. A few of them even call or stop by regularly to see if our boys can come down to play. In a new place, this has been refreshing for all of us. I know our boys miss their friends back in the states. To see them interact with other kids brings great joy to my heart as well :)

Our neighborhood doesn't have parks within walking distance and the apartments are small. These realities push kids outside to play. Under normal circumstances, our building would have a game room, playground, and small gym. However, currently, everything is being remodeled. So we have an room with piles of the leisure equipment, an empty playground, and a very dusty soccer court! It's been so cool to watch these kids still make the most of the space and have a ton of fun. It is very typical on a Friday afternoon for the downstairs area to feel like a party! Kids even from other locations come to hang out with their friends in the building. It's refreshing to watch kids with limited sources of entertainment be resourceful and make the most of their play time!

Austin, Thamris, Estefone, and Jonathan
These girls love our boys! They call regularly requesting for the boys to play!

 

 

Austin's working on figuring out how to pedal with no training wheels!

Jonathan loves to "make cakes" here!

Estefone said she wanted to motivate Austin to learn to ride!
 

The boys playing soccer - little cyclists interrupt!

Dona Neusa and her grand sons who visit on the weekends!

Estefone and Thamris