On a journey...

Tomorrow I head back to Amsterdam. It’s been a really full two weeks here, yet at the same time it feels like I just got here. On Friday morning we set off again to Oitão Preto. As we drove in we passed another one of the boys, now a young man, I used to know. He’s such a funny boy. It took him a few seconds to realize who we were and we had a little chat with him. I asked him how things were going and he said that things were going ok and that he was just waiting for someone to sort out his papers, but that God is still good. As we drove on I was thinking about how him and others are always waiting for “someone” to sort things out for them, and how there is always something that is keeping them from changing the direction they are going in. And yet, at the same time, I wonder what he would do if one day someone came and presented him with everything. Would he then step into something different? As we walked up the stairs to the prayer house I could feel the peace and the pr

Outside the sky is a clear blue and it's that time of day when the heat hits you and yet the breeze cools you down. I came to the city today and went to Oitão Preto. As we walked into the community I couldn't not smile. The familiarity of the community with it's smells and feel and familiar buildings brought such joy to my heart. Yet in the midst of the familiar, things had changed with building having been torn down and others built up, but yet at the same time so much remained the same. Entering we passed one of the boys I used to work with. As we spoke to him, his face broke into a big smile, revealing even less teeth than last time I saw him. He remembered me well and even asked after the other Elisabeth (there were two of us working here at the same time). He said he's doing well, even if his appearance would suggest otherwise, and yet I think in some way he is doing well for being him. As we walked through there were the stray animals wondering around, peopl

Most of the tourists and locals had headed home for the day as we arrived at the beach. The sun had already started to set, yet we wanted to at least get a little taste of the beach before heading home. It had been a long day of teaching and outreach with children in the community. Stepping out of the car the smell of the sea and beach hit me. As we walked towards the beach we saw the local fishermen with their batches of fish tidying up their nets. It was so peaceful. Next to the beach was a fresh water lake and as I stepped into it the water was lovely and warm and perfect for a late afternoon swim. The water was clear and it was almost completely still, only interrupted by the ripples made by the kite-surfers practicing before they would brave the forces of the sea. I swam for a bit before walking to the side of the beach with the sea. As the sea entered my vision it was a powerful sight The waves were white and frothy, and with the tide coming in it was quite a p

I just have to say again: it is so lovely to be here in Fortaleza! The past days have been very chilled, and so this evening it was time for a slightly involuntary adventure (which non-the-less reminded me of many crazy times living here). My friend Selma and I decided to head to Centro das Tapioqueiras for dinner (a traditional Brazilian pancake type thing made from manioc flour). The transportation option was the kombi, and I decided to brave the roads of Fortaleza and face my hesitancy to yet again embrace driving here (which can get quite crazy at times). As we got into the kombi I was instructed “it is kind of dying, but if you loose velocity, just take your foot off the accelerator and put it down again and you’ll be fine”. Not the greatest confidence booster, but I figured it wasn’t a long drive, and besides I was quite set on eating my favorite tapioca again. As we got on the road I realized the acceleration wasn’t the only thing that was “dying”. The steering was ver

It’s so quiet. Outside the sounds of birds and different insects are heard, but yet it is a quiet sound. The sky is blue and the sun is shining, and as I look out the kitchen window I look at palm trees swaying gently in the wind. The taste of fresh papaya with coconut yoghurt and coffee with hot nescau in it confirms that I am really here- back in Fortaleza for a 2 week visit. I am being reminded of a few of the many things I love here. I love that families with small children have priority in queues. I love the heat that hits you as you step out of an air conditioned airport. I love the culture which is all about people and hospitality. I love eating mousse de maracuj á and drinking guaraná . And of course, most of all I love the people. I love seeing old friends again and catching up and being reminded of good years of living here, which in a strange way feels like normality in a life of changing places so often. The past months have been so hectic in Amsterdam. So