Meet the Students

Bom Noite

Today, we got an early start so Dedilha could prepare a fabulous breakfast.  We had eggs, coffee, and tons of bread with meat and cheese. My kind of breakfast! I have missed her cooking-it certainly surpasses mine!

At 10, Sue, Ann, and I went across the street to the creche to see the students' performance.  This was our first day treat and it was marvelous!  The kids were dressed in costumes, some with face paint.  Each class presented a dance they did earlier in the year for the feast of St. John (June 25).  After their performance, they embraced each of us- I love hugs!  Edna danced in the oldest group of girls- I was beaming with pride because of her grace and confidence. What a kid! 

Today was also our chance to introduce ourselves to those who didn't sing 2 years ago.  We had a meeting at 2:00 for anyone who'd be interested to sing with us.  A boy named Jose was there in the front row wearing his concert t-shirt from our last visit.  It was very encouraging.  I sang for them and told them how excited we were to return.  Sue presented our mission more eloquently: we are here to show the kids they have something to give. They all have natural abilities that are to be celebrated and used to bring themselves and their community ALLEGRIA (joy).  

Ann is very excited to be working with the littlest of students in the creche, reading and singing songs with them while Sue and I are working on the music for our concert.  

At the end of our presentation, a woman who sang with us in '12 (we'll call her Sili- Sue and I can't recall her name, but we know it's close!) got up and explained how glad she was we had come back.  Apparently, there was a small singing group run here in Remanso by a sister who has recently passed away.  This former student of ours took the group over and now teaches a very successful choir with over 30 members.  I was blown away by Sili's experience and the fact she could link it to our efforts.  More than that, I am deeply touched.  You see, this is exactly what I hoped would happen.  Our friends in Remanso have drive and alot of heart.  Once they saw what kinds of things they could do with music programs, they took it upon themselves to build up what we all 'began'.  I'm smiling just recounting this to you at home.  Music is such a gift. 

Sue, Ana Paula, and I planned more after the presentation and class signups. Thank God for the two of them- I am never good at organizing our classes!  We had 55 people sign up today and we anticipate another 30 from Sili's group (we go to visit them tomorrow and hear them perform!).  

We worked until dinner time (a simple meal of soup and salad- pao y queija is a staple of course!) and now it's time to relax.  Apparently we have a busy Saturday ahead of us.  Until then, enjoy some of the sights from today's performances!

Love,
 Jamie

Kids from the Creche perform a traditional
Brazilian dance.

A strong finish! Edna and her friends from the public school.
(She is 3rd from the left, leaning).