Timmy's Birthday Puppy - Kingston

Yes, Timmy is 18 today and we have given him a four week old Japanese Akita puppy. A fellow teacher at PACA bred the dogs and they had puppies the day after Christmas. Kingston should be weaned and at our house on about February 6, 2008. The acclaimed Dr. Dwight Olso says that Japanese Akita's are known to be very loyal and very good guard dogs. They have large jaws, tough skin and are all business. The dogs mom and dad are real good dogs.

Life in Brazil

What a country!

At times you realize that you are in an underdeveloped country, at other times you see affluence that rivals some of the best neighborhoods in the United States. Sao Paulo is a city of contrasts, beautiful landscapes in the middle of the ghetto (favella). Amazing wildlife, trees, flowers, and plentiful fruit trees remind you of the Garden of Eden - as you glance away, however, you will likely encounter trash piles and homeless vagrants - reminding you of the fall of man. In Sao Paulo you have the well educated and the illiterate, the well stocked super market and the outdoor market complete with dogs and other varmints. Only half of the homes in this city of 22 million are plumbed with running water and toilets. The other half finds shelter in clay bricks or cardboard. Brazil is a country of the haves and the have-nots, the very rich and the very poor, with few in between.

Driving in Brazil

NASCAR drivers would find the streets of Sao Paulo a challenge. Aggressive/defensive driving may be the best way to describe the survival skill required. Para means “stop” in Portuguese. However, red octagonal signs with PARA on them mean nothing to a Paulista. Streets signs are full with first, middle, last and maiden names and the street names change for no apparent reason, there is no warning before four lanes become two, and streets run at all angles…except North, South, East and West. Red lights are obeyed only when a crash is inevitable. Right-of-way is determined by the one who honks and gets their bumper into the intersection first. Motorcyclists are the UPS delivery system of Sao Paulo. They whiz by between the cars using white lines as their lane. (Please be warned that you may interfere with the flow of traffic if you rest your elbow out your car window – obstructing a passing motorcyclist.) Overfilled busses are the king of the road - merging and stopping at their whim. Speed bumps calm your car’s speedometer as radar guns calm them in Enid, fourteen speed bumps in the twelve blocks on our way to school. Pedestrians have no rights and the flashing lights on emergency vehicles are always on. Maybe the most impressive stat on the streets of Sao Paulo is the number of cars unscathed after a trip to the market.

Tell us about PACA

Pan American Christian Academy, commonly known as PACA, is a nondenominational, college-preparatory, Christian, American School located in Sao Paulo, the fourth largest city in the world. Sao Paulo is the business, industrial, and cultural center of South America. The school services children of missionaries, diplomats, business and professional families with a dual curriculum program - American and Brazilian. The walled 7 ½ acre campus and facilities, place PACA in a class with the best international schools in South America. The well staffed maintenance crew provides excellent care of 22 classrooms, science laboratory, library, media center, computer center, learning lab, gymnasium, regulation-size athletic field, outside courts, cafeteria, playgrounds and a 25 meter swimming pool. The student – faculty ratio is approximately 10:1.

How does PACA make a difference in the community?

The PACA community is dedicated to making a difference in this country of contrasts and streets of challenge. Last Saturday the ABA House hosted a futsol (indoor soccer) tournament at PACA as a fundraiser for their ministry to street children. A couple weeks ago about 65 PACA students and teachers worked in four orphanages and one favella sharing the love of the Lord with the children and people. Timmy and I enjoyed the day playing and working with 15 disabled children at an orphanage down the street from PACA. We painted shirts, kicked a flattened soccer ball, and got wet laughing at a water balloon fight. About one month ago PACA hosted 500 Christian school teachers and administrators from ten different states across Brazil for a two day ACSI teacher conference (Association of Christian Schools International).

What is the make up of the student body at PACA?

PACA services 331 students in grades pre-K thru 12. 83 of these students, or 25%, are children of Christian workers in Sao Paulo. 35 of these 83 students are from North America. Within our student body we have 103 North Americans, 88 Brazilians, 89 Koreans, 15 Chinese, 10 Japanese and the remainder from other points around the globe. PACA is truly an international school with all but a few students fluent in two or more languages.

What kind of students do you have at PACA?

The students at PACA see their education as a way to better themselves and the world. The students challenge each other to excel and are dedicated to learning. PACA students score well above average on their SAT, ACT and AP tests. Out of 35 AP tests taken last spring 60% were fours and fives (a 5 is the highest score possible). 98% of PACA graduates enroll in colleges and universities in the U.S. and around the world. After substituting in a Bible class yesterday two junior girls made it a point to thank me for challenging their minds and teaching them some truths of Scripture.

Are PACA students perfect?

But, the PACA students are not perfect. The lure of sex, alcohol, drugs, pornography can be overwhelming in any culture. The need to fit in and be accepted is as strong here as it is in any other school I have experienced. In my short tenure as middle school and high school principal I have already had to flex my authority and discipline a number of students. But even this is an opportunity to show love for these students and their families. Just last week I had to discipline a group of 14-15 year old students for purchasing Schmirnoff Ice from down at the local bakery. 25% of the PACA student body is composed of students from non-Christian homes - intentionally. These students come to us from the international scene, they may be Brazilian, American, or Korean but they all have the same selfish desires that we all inherited from the Deceiver. The PACA prayer and challenge is to direct each student to Christ and then pray that whole families will follow. This may be PACA’s most critical and effective impact.

Tell us about the PACA faculty and staff

The dedication and professionalism of the PACA faculty and staff is inspiring. There is a genuine concern for each member of the PACA community from student to staff member. Upon arrival I was invited to a Wednesday night Bible study that many of the male faculty members not only attend but cherish. Faculty members challenge each other with accountability groups, prayer partners and encourage each other with inspiring devotionals each Tuesday morning. Friday mornings the faculty looks forward to convening in the music room to sing praise and worship to our Lord. We all realize that we are on the battle front, desperately needing the wisdom of God and the power of the Holy Spirit. It is not hard to remember to pray.

What have been some of the challenges and thrills?

Our move to Brazil has been full of challenges and thrills. We have been embarrassed with our lack of language while purchasing clean water, lost for four hours downtown while trying to find the gym where Timmy’s team was playing basketball, frustrated when our debit card would not be accepted at a local merchant, been the victim of cold showers, ate a candle light dinner with Jason and Andrea when our electricity was turned off by the local power company, frightened by incidents of robberies and kidnappings, and many other episodes too numerous to mention. During this same time however, we have been ministered to by the PACA community, and thrilled with the opportunities to help change a little portion of the world.

Timmy, Denice and I would like to thank you for all your generous support. We thank those who are helping to take care of our girls back in the states, those who are praying for us, and those who have given financially. You are very special to us.

An Accident in Portuguese

Our girls, Stacy and Nicole, were able to be with us for Christmas. We enjoyed each moment of their two week stay, except perhaps one. Denice, Stacy, Nicole and I were leaving the arts and crafts Meca of Sao Paulo called Embu when a heavy rains started. After only about 5 minutes of driving we hit marble sized hail pummeling our Renault, Clio four door car that Pan American Christian Academy (PACA) provides for us. We pulled off the road and sat under a tree while deciding the best way to get home.

After a few wrong turns and a little luck we found ourselves on the Marginal. The Marginal is a seven lane freeway that runs through Sao Paulo going North and South. With rain coming down in sheets we were trying to verify that we were going South instead of North as I switched lanes to my left so that we could see around a truck that was in front of us. As I switched I checked my rearview mirror and when I looked forward there was a little red hatchback car stopped in my lane. I slammed on the brakes to no avail. We slid into the hatchback. I remember the back window of their car coming toward me. It hit my window and then fell to my left. At the same time Stacy yells "keep looking straight." At about this time another car hits us from the back. Denice and Stacy were asking if everyone was alright. I adamantly said yes, and then turned my attention to Nicole who was breathing heavily. We looked at her as she gasped, "I can't hardly breath." Stacy said, "well loosen your seat belt." She did and she could breath again.

PACA provided very specific instructions in case of an accident. I got out my cell phone and started calling the superintendent while I watch five adults and one baby emerge from the red car in front. As rain was pouring in my window the fellow that hit us from behind screamed in our window. Is everyone alright in Portuguese. When we said yes he continued to yell in the window, in Portuguese. I wanted to tell him that I am on the phone but the superintendent didn't answer. I then called Ken Fast while Denice is saying "I think he wants our phone number." We gave him our phone number while he is still hollering in our window. By this time a group of people had gathered around our car window saying "Noa fala Portugues" or they don't speak Portuguese. Ken agreed to come and get us. I then called Donna Linda, the school secretary who lives next to Ken Fast. Linda's husband Lazarus and Ken came to rescue us.

We figured out that I pushed the red hatchback into a car who pushed another car into the car in front of him. Another car hit us from behind. A five car pile up. The CET were the first ones on the scene. The CET are the traffic control experts of Sao Paulo. After they decided that everyone was alright. They waited on the ambulance. The ambulance came and parked in our lane. Then we sat there, in the rain. One hour passed, we were still in the same spot. Another 15 minutes passes and the guy behind us decides to move his car to the right shoulder of the road. We cautioned the CET to make him stay. They assured us, in Portuguese, that he was just moving his car out of traffic. Another 15 minutes elapses, we are still there with cars and motorcycles zipping past us on both sides and Brazilians standing unprotected in our lane. Then the very front car decides to leave. He did. Finally the CET blocks off the inside lane and our lane of this seven lane expressway. We determine that we can safely get out of the car and do.

By this time the ambulance has left and a tow truck backs up to the car in front of us. We wait and watch while numerous discussions are taking place. Pretty soon the CET stops all seven lanes of traffic and the little hatchback spits and sputters its way to the shoulder of the road. Once on the shoulder the tow truck moves to the shoulder. Then the CET asks if I think my car will start. I said, "I don't know" but I can try. It started. They then stopped all seven lanes of traffic once more and I drove my car to the shoulder.

Once on the shoulder we stood some more. Then the Sao Paulo police arrive. He asks for my documents. I gave him everything that I had including a photo copy of my passport, International driver license, car registration, and my Oklahoma driver license. Then a fight broke out about 200 yards up the expressway and he left. I asked one of the CET's who spoke broken English what the officer did with my documents. He assured me that everything was alright and went and asked another officer. This other officer comes over to me and asks more questions. He wanted my address, my father's name, why I was in Brazil, where I worked and the list goes on and on. I then told the CET guy who spoke broken English that I had a friend coming to pick us up. Ken Fast and Lazarus arrived shortly.

The next thing I know the officer is asking for the keys to my car and told me to get in the back seat. Lazarus and I were going to be driven to the police station in my wrecked car by the police officer. Everyone involved in the accident was to meet at the police station. Lazarus asked if Denice, Nicole and Stacy could go home with Ken Fast. This was allowed and we took off on a 30 minute drive to the Sao Paulo Police station. At the station we met a man who jumped out of a tow truck and told us that he is working for our insurance company. He wanted to take our car, but the officer would not let him until the official police report was filed. Once inside the police station the reporting officer leaves to go to the hospital to talk directly to the doctor who examined one of the ladies who was in the accident, he evidently could not talk to him by phone.

Here we sit with the three parties that were involved in an accident that I caused. Just the right ingredients for tempers to flair. Lazarus was great. He talked to each person at the police station as if they were long lost friends while we were waiting for the policeman to return from his trip to the hospital. At about 11:30 pm the officer returned and started filling out another report. He asked me all the same questions again, asked how the accident happened and asked about the car that hit me from behind. This car left the accident scene and no one had heard from him.

At about midnight the officer said that we could all leave and that our tow truck driver could load up the car. As we walked outside the tow truck driver was examining my car, taking numbers off if it and taking pictures. He was filling out an accident report for the insurance company much like an insurance agent would do in the states. After asking me numerous questions he said that he was done and Lazarus and I jumped into a taxi and made our way home. We arrived home at about 12:30 am, about 6 1/2 hours after the accident occurred.

The Atlantic Swallowed My Key

We were having a great time. We had taken Gary, Diane, Grant and Heather to Partity to soak in some of the most beautiful country on God's earth. After a day at the beach in Ubatuba, a day of snorkeling in the Atlantic and a morning of literally sliding down a waterfall we decided to go to Trinidade. Trinidade has been the host of several international surfing competitions because when the surf is up you can grab some of the best waves in the world.

We arrive at Trinidade with our beach umbrella, beach chairs, and all the sunscreen and food that Denice can stuff in a bag. After deciding to set up camp over by some huge rocks that were on one end of the beach Grant and Timmy decides to test the waters. They enter the water between these huge rocks and find that when they do powerful waves hit you from all directions. As the surf comes in the waves knock you to shore, as they recede they pummel you left and then right and then toward the shore again. This looked like great fun to two aging men and so Gary and I quickly apply the sunscreen and hit the waves.

While the girls were laying their beach towels out and getting prim and proper to enter the water they suddenly felt a deluge of water attack their camp. Because of their fear of their beech towels getting soaked they yelled at us to move camp. While moving camp I suddenly remembered that I had tucked $40 Reais in my swimming trunk pocket. I felt for the money. It was there. Then I realized that I had also put the car key in the same pocket. It was conspicuously absent. I shared this good news with Gary. He sheepishly stuck his hand in his pocket, the key to his car was still there.

After searching all of the bags, the beech and the waterfront and conversing with God we decided that apart from a miracle, the key was gone. What to do? While I kicked myself some more hoping that God would do a miracle and wash the key up on shore Gary went to the car to see if he could get in. Eureka, the hatchback had not been locked properly and Gary climbed in through the back of the little Volkswagen Gol that the school let us borrow. As I approached the car Gary was looking under the floor mats, the wheel wells, in the engine compartment in hopes that he might locate a spare key. I decide to go to the owner of the bar/concession stand on the beech and explain to her our predicament. But wait, I don't speak Portuguese. After many single word explanations and a lot of hand motions this lady understood and gave me the phone number of a locksmith. But wait, I still can't speak Portuguese. I handed her my cell phone and urged her to call him. She did and, as close as I could tell, she said that he would be here in about 15 minutes. I reported the news to Gary and Heather and we waited in the hot sun. 15 minutes elapsed and no locksmith and so Heather and I went back to the bar owner with our Portuguese - English dictionary. We showed her a phrase that read "I lost my car keys." She nodded yes and assured us that the locksmith would arrive anytime.

Suddenly, a barefoot man with soil soaked shorts was asking which car was ours. Because of the revelation of buttocks above his shorts he would have qualified as a plumber in the states, but no, in Brazil he is a locksmith. We can only assume that he arrived on the bus that went by moments before. He gets in the Gol and sticks a make shift key in the ignition. He turns the steering wheel while wiggling the key. He shakes his head and tries again. After a few minutes he gets out of the car and explains something in Portuguese. Because of Heather's proficiency in Spanish she could make out parts of what he was saying. He was telling us that he will have to dismantle the steering column, but that he can get the car started. Should we allow this on the schools car? We had no other option. He then explains that he will need to go get some tools to do this with. We said OK and he crossed the road and stood there. We soon figured out that he needed a ride back into the town of Trinadade, about 10 minutes away.

Heather and I loaded up in the other car and told him to jump in. After a short drive we arrived in Trinadade and he directed us to his place of business. As he returned to the car I noticed that he had a small plastic box with him not much bigger than your wallet. This is all he needed? Upon returning to the car I realized that all he needed was a screw driver set. (I had screw drivers in my car.)

After removing the steering wheel cover he starts tugging and prying under the steering column. I just knew that he was going to break something and that I would be liable for its replacement. He then takes a paper clip out of his pocket and twists and breaks it. Because it did not break cleanly he asks me for a wire cutter. The best I have is a screw driver and a hammer. He takes them, finds a rock, and chopped the paper clip off cleanly. Then out of the blue he tells Heather to go sit in the passengers seat. He then explains to her in Portuguese how to reassemble the steering column while I was looking over her shoulder. He then takes 1/2 of the paper clip and sticks it in the harness to the ignition. No sound. Then he takes the other 1/2 of the paper clip and touches the right spots on the harness. The engine turns over and starts.

When we asked him "Quantos custo" or how much do we owe you he said 50 Reais or about $27. I wondered if that was for parts (the paperclip) or just the labor.

We drove the four hour trip back to Sao Paulo with a paper clip for a key. When we stopped for gas I simply pulled the paper clip out of the harness. When we wanted to start the car again, I simply did as the locksmith showed me, touching the paperclip in the right spots.

Even though we were without an air conditioner we thanked the Lord all the way home that he protected us and provided for us in one more predicament.