Summer

Rio de Janeiro during the summer is hot (90-95 F). Not as bad as it might get in the Amazon or in the northeast, but hot enough when most places don't have air-conditioning. I really think that the sun is stronger here in Brazil than in other countries. Just walking around during the peak hours can wipe you out. I went out Saturday morning to run a couple of errands, and by the time I got back home (before 11 AM), I was drenched with sweat. Saturday night, I was already falling asleep at 9 PM.

It's funny because when you see people waiting outside (e.g. for the bus), they seem to be in very strange locations/configurations until you realize that they are standing in whatever piece of shade exists. Normally I like to walk on the side of the street against traffic, but these days, I've come to value more walking on the shady side of the street.

After many years driving I have decided to go by bus and trains again. Actually I must confess that I had forgotten that sensation and idea about what is to take a bus or a train ride. The bad smelling of hundreds of people smashing each other inside a small vehicle. Part of my decision in taking buses was made by financial reasons. My oldest girl is now at the Medical School and I don’t have enough funds to make it. I am trying to move to a better home. That will cost me a little bit more. So I am trying to save some money from the “extras”, that in my country includes my car. This act has made reflect on my status as a doctor and a missionary. I am also remembering what people feel.

The street that runs in front of the train station that leads us to ICP ( Evangemed headquarter) has been closed for a while now while they are slowly doing some major construction. The pedestrian route through the area is constantly changing and not very convenient or safe, although it is always clearly marked. The route this week is like a beginner's obstacle course for mountain biking, with various bumps thrown in and a few thin pieces of plywood on top of some thin logs that is supposed to serve as a pedestrian brige over the ditch. All kinds of people and children walk right through the middle of the construction site (i.e. next to the bulldozer) even though the pedestrian route is clearly marked. The workers have used orange netting and stakes around most of the perimeter of the site, but in some areas, they use black and yellow "don't cross this line" tape. I noticed the other day that the tape had been broken in many different places and retied. That's where people cut through (figuratively and literally). It's not that people are in a hurry...I noticed the same thing with people jaywalking across busy intersections. They aren't in a hurry to get anywhere; it's just that there's something that drives them to risk their lives and put their body in front of oncoming traffic. That being said, I have to admit that I've jaywalked, too, but never when cars are close by.

And finally, I thought I'd end with this image, which is what I see when I am on the boat in Amazon. That made me think about life in general--how somethings we change everyday. How I miss those trips I used to do before. How I do miss my car. But more than all that all things belong to God and we do need to be thankful to Him always.
1Co 10:31 Whether therefore you eat, or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.