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Happy Greetings from Sunny South America!
After months of waiting and a couple of trips to the hospital they finally arrived. We were blessed with two beautiful,
brand-new, bouncing permanent visas. Well, almost. Michele's name was messed up so her's is back in "paperwork
mode". Hopefully it will come before furlough does!!
We're also still in "paperwork mode" on the building permit, but have been cleared to start the foundation.
After digging half way to China, the "feet" for the columns were poured and then the columns themselves.
A rock base for the foundation was laid in the lower parts, then bricks and, before you get this letter, a concrete
belt should be complete. I tried one last time to convince the neighbor who claims to want to sell to make a reasonable
price. It would be much easier to build all at once and the auditorium will already be a bit cramped at times.
He didn't budge one cent. So we're going on with plans prepared for a second story in the future if needed. It
runs costs up a bit but the foundation can't be re-done later to hold a second story if needed.
School's started back so time management is closer to damage control. Some times I feel like Pecos Bill on that
tornado. You don't drive it, you just kind of point in a direction and hold on tight. With 10 classes a week (plus
tests, grading, etc.) 4 services plus youth meeting, administrative responsibilities at school and guest house,
spending every morning and some afternoons at the building site, commuting, missionary prayer meeting, paperwork,
exchanging money and paying bills, visiting my family, going to the doctor with William when he had pneumonia and
Michele to her doctor, trying to go to the pastors fellowship, etc. So much for that slow paced Latin America stereo
type. It's not any better here than what many of you go through there.
We are now living near the church. What a blessing. We have been able to be involved in their lives as never before,
and I can't imagine helping with the construction with that killer commute. Driving into town for class and other
mission activities every day may turn out to be a drag (50 minutes to get home yesterday), but to now it has been
great. We've found many things to be cheaper here in addition to fuel savings. Also by moving across town we are
no longer in the take-off pattern of the airport -- now we're in the landing pattern....
Not all has been roses. As the house sat vacant for awhile it became the neighborhood hang out for roaches. I couldn't
figure out where they came from until I heard them in the leaves in the back yard. I killed over 100 in a few minutes.
I stomped 20, then sprayed. The next day I counted 70 in the open. Add those the ants got and those dead in the
leaves ... Also for the first time in our 3 years here we had rats. Two at once. Of course they had to arrive a
few days before the in-laws. I got rid of 1 before they arrived, but the other was more elusive. Michele's brother
and dad helped "promote" him with brooms.
As a result of the move our phone number has changed. It's now 55 85 290-2813. The country code (55) and city code
(85) are still the same as before. We don't personally have E-Mail, but can be reached at the school account which
is: dlind@ibeuce.com.br. The address remains the same.
Oh! By the way. The baby came. "Dalton Wesley" 8 lbs. 11 oz., 21 in. (a little smaller than William).
After one false start (and a night in the hospital) he decided he didn't want to come out and play after all. A
couple of weeks later on August 11, the Dr. went to get him. William isn't real sure about this new toy, but in
general seems to like his "pet brother". He was born while Michele's family was visiting which was a
help and a blessing.
Byron, Michele, William and Dalton
The Athas in Brazil
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