Praia

Im sitting on the beach in brazil. Clear blue water with salvadors cityscape off in the distance. It seems unreal, but I saw more than ever the difficulties with our kids. The anger that arises out of nowhere. How they talk back to us and have no gratitude for this trip. I am often saddened, but I must constantly remember these kids are not like other poor children here who have traces of family left. And most definitely are unlike kids in the us. I remember the kids where I used to work and well maybe they aren't SO different. They just need more love. But they also push push push away the love you give them. It takes more time to win their respect. They only respond to spanking but because I'm white I cannot touch a child here that way. What complication! We don't have running water here which makes me appreciate the fazenda. The hardest part of my life here is the community life. I notice I'm American when it is sooooo hard to SIT and eat three times a day. It seems torturous to talk after I've eaten as there are many more important things to do. I still hate cooking and cleaning. I no longer run because I'm much too tired and I have adopted the Brazilian butt and belly. They asked me to delve into the culture, right? My personality has become even stronger as I think it's a requirement in the fazenda that everyone has one. My likes and dislikes are easier to see and I'm discovering talents I've never had. I have knee pain from genuflecting so many times a day. My time in adoration is now a daily essential and I actually enjoy morning and evening prayer. My favorite moments are when the kids arrive just to see what I'm doing and give me a hug. Daniel now prays during each time of intercessions for "the family of Erica" I still have many special Er moments. I was leaving the refetorio with my hands full on the same route as always. It was dark and mateus drilled a deep hole. I didn't know. My foot went right in. It went to midthigh so Aldo had to literally pull me out. And my first words? Shoot, I didn't plan on showering again. It's a lot of work to bowl water on the stove each time...... Happy fourth of July! I'm going to celebrate by sending the kids back for their first day after break! Yippee Love e

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My aunts visit

My aunt will be visiting for ONE day in ONE month and she has offered to bring a whole suitcase of things for us!! So I got to think---you could save a lot of postage if you a) send her what you wanted to send me/the kids or b) send her money and she will buy things we are in need of. You could also mail her letters and save .50 of postage and she can bring them to me. I hope she doesnt kill me for this offer. If you want her address (in Texas) email me at erica.c.tighe@gmail.com!!!!


Love erica

Champagne and a Miracle

Alelulia the Lord has risen and Im on a day of rest. A weekend of rest! I wasnt as much tired this time as I was excited to see my friends that I stay with. Last night I thought I was going to a birthday party. An hour before we left she told me each person had to share something about love--a song or poem, etc. The woman whose birthday it was, Pati, asked me to share about my mission because its a different kind of love.

We arrive to her house and I was served champagne with a strawberry in the glass by the waiter. We sit in a big circle and they tell me this is the first meeting of 20 women that they hope to have regularly. A place to share about life, to build friendship, and to join together to help others. I instantly knew this wasnt just any old meeting and that I was led here divinely. I sat amongst 20 beautiful, strong, Brazilian women. She asked me to go first since the love of my mission is a different kind of love (as today is valentines day). So I told about the Fazenda, about the other hearts homes, i told about the kids and the foundation of our mission---love and compassion. People were tearing up and everyone wanted to know more. I talked for 45 minutes and in the end I had 20 women who want to help with my school house. I sat in awe. Almost crying myself. How innocent I was going there. Little did I know it would be the answer to my months of prayers for funding of my school. I must add as well that they were alllll impressed with my portuguese. Yipee!

Pati shared with everyone how she met me at another birthday party a few months ago and how my story sparked something in her heart. How she realized her dream as a 20 year old that was never completed. How she gave up this dream to become a doctor and have a family and now that her kids are grown, she has time to give of herself to others. It was such an incredible encounter.

How blessed I am. How I sit in the hand of God and He guides me along as I travel along in oblivion.

DELICIOUS food

beautiful women

Bea with her egg man that we made for O week (ovo, olhos, ouvidos... egg, eyes, ears)

Tete making arts and crafts one rainy sunday

me and Bea
drawing in the dirt
the school pre-paint

Painting

This week I started painting the school. white and yellow stripes. it is hard work alone especially because i am a perfectionist. i was so happy removing the tape from teh first stripe, stepped back off the latter (ladder?) and put my foot right in the giant can of white paint. then i was finishing the last stripe on teh wall (i only did one of 6 walls in 4 hours....) and the ladder slipped off the wall and i went spalt on the ground. luckily nothing serious happened. just some whip lash and bruised legs and feet. and my heart racing a millino miles a minute. i was sure i was going to die. you knwo how these moments pass REALLY slowly in your head and you have so much time to think, but not enough time to do anything about it. and the good news is that i was thinking in portuguese.


My week with teh boys has been marvilous. I love being a 'mom' figure. EVERYONE loved the sound of music and so we sing a lot... although in english. i am going to work on translating the songs into portuguese and then we will do a performance. What other movies should I try to find in portuguese for them? Im thinking the Wizard of Oz is next....

Okay my time is up! yikes! 55 emails to read today. but i have TWO days of rest this weekend. friday night to saturday afternoon. so i will have more time on teh computer for more updates on more important things than my many many mishaps.

Love you all. a lot. im extra happy today because we have a lot of sun!!!!!
love e

Oi !!!!!

I have to share my sadness with you as this morning I was trying to put my photos from my camera to my little driver and because I cant read french and was using a french computer, I erased ALL of my photos. I had a month and a half worth of photos. I almost threw up. Then I decided that i twas just photos and I will always have the memories--- I just wont be able to share the memories with you. In the end I laughed because maybe it is providence, my next day of rest I wont spend the whole time uploading 200 photos. Anyway, i twas my dumb act of the week.

I had a really wonderful weekend with my girls from the Passagem. Before last Thursday not one girl had received the invitation. It was a true miracle when 6 girls showed up. We cooked and made backpacks and watched a movie. We had adoration and spent time talking. They are so beautiful and were all dressed up. They asked if they could come for a week during their two week break so I am working out a 4 day stay here (a week is a bit much for me right now). But how delighted I was that they felt comfortable here. Slowly the trust is growing and I know one day our friendship will be very strong. They have this hope and vigor for life that I havent met with any other teens. On Sunday I am going to visit their families !

On Sunday I begin to watch Marcos and Daniel because Marie Ines and Renaud are going to France for two weeks for a wedding. Aldo and I will have our hands full asDaniel is a real mastermind. I know in the end I am going to be absolutely exhausted… pray for me.

I am going to wallow in my sadness of not being able to show you so many things of my life this past month. I hope you forgive me…

Send me an email if you cant manage to send a snail mail. I can print the letters and read them during the week then write you a snail mail back !

Sending my love
Erica
Ps tomorrow we are watching the sound of music in portugese. These poor people dont know that ill be singing the songs for weeks !!!