This is what I knew Brazil was. The trip to Rio was amazing– every mountain more spectacular than the sight before it. The buses in Brazil (the ones for longer distance travel) are way more comfortable than any I’ve seen. The place where the bus stopped was a pay per kilo churrascuria (think steak, rice, beans, etc.). Imagine such delicious food at your fingertips, but only 30 minutes to get, buy and eat it. The drive was approximately 7 ½ hours, but it didn’t feel that long. Audrey slept for about half of it, watched Tangled once, and played a bit.
When we got to Rio, we arrived early. Cesar was particularly nervous having to stay in somebody’s house again and worrying whether or not there would be space in the car for all of our baggage. The Pastora came with a guy from the church and we made the baggage work. We arrived shortly before a wedding started at their church and they invited us to the wedding. Cesar stayed and rested, but Audrey and I went, and it was just what Audrey needed. She was the center of attention in a circle of kids ages 1 to maybe 12ish. She played a lot, I talked with the pastor and pastora. We came back to the pastor’s house (just across the street from the church) and talked until about 1:30. Cesar and I have been so well-received, it’s been incredible for both of us. They’ve even asked if we wanted to stay an extra week to see more and maybe help on a church they’re reforming, but Cesar really wants to see his family. Otherwise, I really think we would. We feel so at home here and it’ just another reminder as to why I have always been so in love with the Church of the Nazarene.