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Dec '99, #4

Letter #4: Dec ’99
Rua Santa Constância, 94
60.520 Fortaleza, CE BRAZIL

Season’s Greetings from the land where Christmas never comes.

Oh, they SAY they have Christmas. There’s even a city named Christmas (Natal). But try feeling "Christmassy" decorating a tree in June (no air conditioning, that’s cheating). I’m sure it’s even worse in non-"Christian" countries. New year’s is bigger, here, and EVERYthing stops for a couple of weeks for Carnival.

We are slowly getting settled into the house and are beginning to reap some of the benefits of ownership. As the 2 bedroom house was a bit small for our needs (home, office, shop and storage) and some inevitable repairs were / are due, it won’t be completely up to par until probably sometime after we sell it. The projects range from changing a worn-out outlet to re-plastering to building a room and partially replacing the roof. Not to mention the things that weren’t broke until I fixed them. Paying cash for it wrecked my taxes, so money’s a bit tight until January. Though more likely toward late January, the rains could begin any time. We need the rain desperately, but it’ll sure make a mess of things here if it comes now.
We still don’t have a phone. This has been one of the greatest frustrations of this term from the day we got here because even the mission guest-house doesn’t have one. The problem at our house is a lack of available numbers. There’s no lack in the richer parts of town, but it’s 4-6 months (or more) in other parts. Although the "prediction" is by the end of the year, I have my doubts. Without a phone we have no Internet, though we do check it from time to time from other locations. If you’ve e-mailed us, we will eventually get it and will eventually respond. Honest!

The boys are growing and adjusting though William sometimes asks to go back to Winston-Salem. They are making friends on our street and that’s opening doors for us. Dalton wants to do everything William does, and now that William can ride a bike without training wheels (before he turned 4 – not that I’m bragging or anything) Dalton is desperate to do the same and shows promise of beating his big brother’s record. I taught them to listen to the ocean in a cup, but failed to emphasize sufficiently that if you don’t drink all the water first, you can hear and FEEL the waves. More seriously, William has shown spiritual interest and even made "professions" though we believe he is still lacking in understanding.

Things are steady at church, but I’d rather see growth. I have again tried to teach some of the basics of music (talk about the blind leading the blind... or should that be the deaf?). I’m mostly interested in getting a steady rhythm. I’d like to start a small chorale with the stronger voices to teach harmony, but I’m afraid that’s beyond my abilities.
Almost a year ago we told you of a break-in where we’d stored stuff. As we suspected, little of monetary value was taken, though some papers were lost or destroyed. We are still trying to buy the adjoining property, but documents are a problem, and the owners are a bit difficult to deal with. We have 3 contacts that have "opened up": a man who has developed an interest in the Scriptures, a women who has an "emptiness inside" from family and health problems, and an old family friend developing into new opportunities. We also had a case of adultery that God has turned into a real blessing of forgiveness, reconciliation and deepening relationships. Please pray and praise God for these things with us.
One last note of interest. It would appear that we shall soon be "Biblical". As we were packing to leave the US, Michele had a sinus infection and went to the Dr. to pick up penicillin and ended up picking out a name. I figured since she named the last one it’s my turn and I suggested "Robert Elee" after the general and great Christian gentleman. That, however sparked a war that is anything but "civil". She suggested the Italian name "Finale." It has been confirmed as a baby boy - though the kids were probably hoping for a puppy. So, how does a third child make us biblical? Gen. 1:28 says to be fruitful and multiply, but 2 kids is only breaking even. Just a few more and we can be REAL missionaries! Pray for Michele as she waddles into the new year towards her due date in late February.

Please continue to pray for us and we trust you’ll have happy holiday’s and start the new year with a new zeal and a renewed commitment to serving Him.

In Christ and in His service in Brazil,
Byron, Michele, William, Dalton and "X"
The Athas in Brazil

THIS JUST IN: After almost 4 years, Michele has finally gotten her permanent visa. Fortunately it is based on having Brazilian born children or it wouldn’t have come so quick!! ;)


	Letter #4: Dec ’99 Rua Santa Constância, 94 60.520 Fortaleza, CE BRAZIL Season’s Greetings from the land where Christmas never comes. Oh, they SAY they have Christmas. There’s even a city named Christmas (Natal). But try feeling "Christmassy" decorating a tree in June (no air conditioning, that’s cheating). I’m sure it’s even worse in non-"Christian" countries. New year’s is bigger, here, and EVERYthing stops for a couple of weeks for Carnival. We are slowly getting settled into the house and are beginning to reap some of the benefits of ownership. As the 2 bedroom house was a bit small for our needs (home, office, shop and storage) and some inevitable repairs were / are due, it won’t be completely up to par until probably sometime after we sell it. The projects range from changing a worn-out outlet to re-plastering to building a room and partially replacing the roof. Not to mention the things that weren’t broke until I fixed them. Paying cash for it wrecked my taxes, so money’s a bit tight until January. Though more likely toward late January, the rains could begin any time. We need the rain desperately, but it’ll sure make a mess of things here if it comes now. We still don’t have a phone. This has been one of the greatest frustrations of this term from the day we got here because even the mission guest-house doesn’t have one. The problem at our house is a lack of available numbers. There’s no lack in the richer parts of town, but it’s 4-6 months (or more) in other parts. Although the "prediction" is by the end of the year, I have my doubts. Without a phone we have no Internet, though we do check it from time to time from other locations. If you’ve e-mailed us, we will eventually get it and will eventually respond. Honest! The boys are growing and adjusting though William sometimes asks to go back to Winston-Salem. They are making friends on our street and that’s opening doors for us. Dalton wants to do everything William does, and now that William can ride a bike without training wheels (before he turned 4 – not that I’m bragging or anything) Dalton is desperate to do the same and shows promise of beating his big brother’s record. I taught them to listen to the ocean in a cup, but failed to emphasize sufficiently that if you don’t drink all the water first, you can hear and FEEL the waves. More seriously, William has shown spiritual interest and even made "professions" though we believe he is still lacking in understanding. Things are steady at church, but I’d rather see growth. I have again tried to teach some of the basics of music (talk about the blind leading the blind... or should that be the deaf?). I’m mostly interested in getting a steady rhythm. I’d like to start a small chorale with the stronger voices to teach harmony, but I’m afraid that’s beyond my abilities. Almost a year ago we told you of a break-in where we’d stored stuff. As we suspected, little of monetary value was taken, though some papers were lost or destroyed. We are still trying to buy the adjoining property, but documents are a problem, and the owners are a bit difficult to deal with. We have 3 contacts that have "opened up": a man who has developed an interest in the Scriptures, a women who has an "emptiness inside" from family and health problems, and an old family friend developing into new opportunities. We also had a case of adultery that God has turned into a real blessing of forgiveness, reconciliation and deepening relationships. Please pray and praise God for these things with us. One last note of interest. It would appear that we shall soon be "Biblical". As we were packing to leave the US, Michele had a sinus infection and went to the Dr. to pick up penicillin and ended up picking out a name. I figured since she named the last one it’s my turn and I suggested "Robert Elee" after the general and great Christian gentleman. That, however sparked a war that is anything but "civil". She suggested the Italian name "Finale." It has been confirmed as a baby boy - though the kids were probably hoping for a puppy. So, how does a third child make us biblical? Gen. 1:28 says to be fruitful and multiply, but 2 kids is only breaking even. Just a few more and we can be REAL missionaries! Pray for Michele as she waddles into the new year towards her due date in late February. Please continue to pray for us and we trust you’ll have happy holiday’s and start the new year with a new zeal and a renewed commitment to serving Him. In Christ and in His service in Brazil, Byron, Michele, William, Dalton and "X" The Athas in Brazil THIS JUST IN: After almost 4 years, Michele has finally gotten her permanent visa. Fortunately it is based on having Brazilian born children or it wouldn’t have come so quick!! ;)