as of late

more and more, the desire grows in me simply to walk around, greet people, enter their homes, sit on their doorsteps, play ball, throw water and be known as someone who wants to live with them. it is a privilege to have the time to practice this simple ministry of presence. still, it is not as simple as it seems.

my own desire to be useful, to do something significant, or to be part of some impressive project is so strong that soon my time is taken up by meetings, conferences, study groups and workshops that prevent me from walking the streets. it is difficult not to have plans, not to organize people around an urgent cause and not to feel that you are working directly for social progress.

but i wonder more and more if the first thing shouldn't be to know people by name, to eat and drink with them, to listen to their stories and tell your own, and let them know with words, handshakes, and hugs that you do not simply like them--but truly love them.

--Henri Nouwen

zoe marajoara

hanging out after zoe

just livin' life

chillin'

who can eat it the fastest?

hanging out after zoe

renato!

jammin'

junior's birthday

of course we had to "walk it out"

everyone hanging out

singing britney spears

still walking it out

junior's birthday

junior trying to be thug

the fam

the birthday boy

singing "parabens"

junior and leticia

so junior is my roommate, and also teaches each week at our house church. leticia, his girlfriend, planned a surprise party for his birthday. it was great. he had no idea....

zoe marajoara ... outside

so we've moved outside. it's just too cramped in the living room.

renato & christian

these are a couple of my friends, renato and christian, wearing their soccer jerseys. they're both palmeiras fans, one of the major soccer teams here in brazil. i support sao paulo, a rival of palmeiras. there always seems to be some friendly "trash talk" when soccer is discussed at the house.

zoe cafe

tonight we opened the cafe. we played cards, enjoyed some good food, and had some great conversations. students arrived around 8 and didn't leave the house until close to 2 am. good night....very good night.

never a dull moment

so there's never a dull moment at our house. last night, christian and victor found a tae bo video left by the missionaries who lived in our house before us. it was pretty incredible.

good times in sao paulo