Six a.m. Thursday morning I awoke to the sounds of a guitar and the guys’ singing echoing through the hall of the YWAM base I’m staying at. I didn’t really think anything of it, but just rolled over and tried to go back to sleep anyway, wondering what would inspire these Brazilians to be so enthusiastic this early in the morning. I come to find out, what they were trying to do was prompt the women out of bed to come join them in a special breakfast they had prepared especially for them, complete with flowers, songs, poems, and a special menu. You see, it was International Women’s Day, a day to celebrate women and the contributions they make to families, communities, and the world. What?! A country that celebrates Women’s Day?! I think I must stay here a while!
Later that day I went with Brenno and Marcos, a couple of Deaf guys that are here working on a Brazilian Sign Language translation of the Bible, and Flavio, an interpreter, to a school for Deaf children (see above photo– these three guys are to the left of me). The students did a play about Women’s Day, complete with costumes; it was so cute. All together, we were quite a sight– the children signing in Brazilian Sign, Flavio and others speaking in Portuguese, and all the while Brenno interpreting for me into American Sign Language. Got all that?! I was in heaven. (Never would I have dreamed I’d be in Brazil, speaking with Brazilian Deaf people in ASL! Never have I been so grateful that God lead me to study interpreting in the States, even though I practically went kicking and screaming, wanting to be anywhere else! Imagine that– God knowing what He’s doing even when we can’t see it.)
My head is full trying to learn all these languages, and my heart is full causing a persistent smile on my face. I’m loving it here– from hanging out hours on end with Brenno and Marcos and finding out so much about the Deaf community here in Brazil, to my early morning runs through the mist and mountains in the distance with João Paulo, to experiencing the incredible hospitality of the people here. They are always asking me how long I will stay and follow this with “stay a long time.” I don’t yet know my next step for sure, so I’ll stay until I know.
Truth be known, I already feel I’m running out of time in this country and could spend the length of my entire trip here… Ah! But I feel deep down I will be back and that’s my only consolation.