My In-Laws

Now I'm going to begin telling you about my wonderful Brazilian in-laws! This is Lessa, Carlota, and Mariah. Carlota is Waleska's older sister. They live in Camaquã, a town of 60,000 about 1 1/2 hours from Porto Alegre, crossing the river and going south. They own and operate a drugstore to make their livelihood. They have been married for eleven years. Mariah is their first child together - she was born May 26th of last year.

The following photo was taken at Mariah's first birthday party earlier this year, while my mother and sister were visiting. In Brazil it is common for the child's first birthday party to be a big bash - with lots of fun, food, family and friends present. Carlota is a very creative person; she chose the theme for Mariah's party to be "Strawberries." She made most of the decorations herself, put together cool treat packets for the kids, and rented a play room at a party center with a big ball pit, video games, etc. It was an excellent party for much less than what these things customarily cost!

The following picture is not a resort, though it looks like it - this is Carlota and Lessa's backyard! They have a nice green space and a pool, which is great for summertime fun in the sun. Waleska and I occasionally take a day or a weekend to get away from the work and bustle of Porto Alegre and escape to Camaquã for clean air, tranquility, time with relatives, and great barbecue made by Lessa himself. I appreciate their generosity and hospitality a great deal. When their schedules permit, they also like to come see us in Porto Alegre for an afternoon or an evening.

I thank God for my in-laws and I ask you to pray for God's goodness in their life! Specifically, I ask for prayers for Mariah's health: she had a real scare with a serious infection in her hip area that hospitalized her for two weeks in June. She is better now and we are glad to see the joy coming back in her - she's even giving me little kisses now! Carlota and Lessa have also begun attending an evangelical church in Camaquã during the past year and I want to pray that God will continue to bless their lives through their spiritual commitments.