Bella is the Princess of the Day! Our youngest daughter turns 15 today. Here in Brazil 15 is a Big Birthday. Often those who can celebrate with extravagant celebrations that appear very similar to a wedding party as far as decorating, gifts, and guests. Bella wanted a small party, with a few friends. And the girls had a very nice evening last night. Tomato soup and home made bread sticks. Tea and sandwiches. A movie called The Croods. Topped off with a chocolate fountain! It was a first for everyone, I think, and everything went very well. Thank you Heavenly Father, for Bella, and for the nice evening.

Emma, Luana, Aline, Carol, Karin, Bruna, and Bella

Celebrating Bella!

Thaís, Barbara, and Anna came just a little later.

Eliel came to pick up Aline just as the chocolate fountain got started.

Fruit shishkabobs. Deanna found some strawberries, kiwi fruit, and grapes. The pineapples were small, but they were 7 for R$10, about $5 Canadian.

A chocolate fountain!

The tester.

A very small birthday cake.

Fancy sandwiches with fancy toothpicks.

Delicious sandwiches, to go with the tomato soup and breadsticks.

Bella’s First 15th Birthday Party

Fancy tea, fancy juice, fancy cups, fancy cupcakes…

We learned about tea parties at Grandma’s house, in Canada.

Set the right atmosphere and everything tastes better.

Our girls are all two years apart. The Bergquists picked up where we stopped. Our children are ages 21, 19, 17 and 15. The Bergquist children are approximately 13, 11, 9, and 7.

Cheers!

Monica and Bruna.

Marcos and Nate were born on the same day, 8 years ago.

Fransisco has been part of our church and group here at the chacará since we moved here 5 years ago.

Emma talks to Luana, who was Deanna’s helper for a year, and is still a good friend of our family.

Potatoe chowder and clay-oven baked rolls.

Fransisco and Paulo Roberto’s mom came for the meal. This was a first. Her husband left her a couple of years ago. Her sons often work for us on construction projects, and help put food on their table.

The kids discovered Kinnex, which is kind of like Lego.

The Bergquists continue on their journey home. About 2 days of driving left, though they will be visiting more people like the teams in Pacajá, Altamira, and Uruará.

The family of six is looking for a bigger, stronger, newer truck. They need a good truck where they live.

Ivanildo coaches soccer. Saturday afternoon, October 19, 2013.

Aline and Bella sit on an old table with some other youth, watching the soccer game.

Iran is one of the men who looks after our neighborhood. He is there to help in times of crisis, and I have seen him digging more than one burial plot. He is very pastoral. He also was one of the main bricklayers for the house we built. He also has over 50 brothers and sisters.

Jobel is one of Iran’s sons.

Everyone loves it when Ivanildo coaches soccer. He is a very respected, nice person.

The helpers who did not get a hotdog at the Children’s Event came over for soup and bread after church last Sunday. Thais, right beside Emma, is five months pregnant.

Emma, Bella, and Bruna.

Deanna and Izak.

Ivanildo digs into the chicken that was barbequed with Deanna’s Special Sauce.

Eliel scoops out a big portion of delicious black beans.

Church leadership couples have lunch together, including Ivanildo and Monica, Eliel and Aline, Paula and Izak.

A girl, after having 4 boys.

Family pic, except for Weberson, the dad and husband.

Weberson and baby Stefani.

Quita is 23 years old, and thrilled to have a daughter.

2 days old

Grandma is doing needlework in the background.

Kita and Stefani.

Musical Chairs

The Puppeteers.

Adriana seemed exceptionally happy at this event. She has gone through a lot in the last couple of years.

Games, Bible Story, Food, Lot’s of Love

The puppets tell their stories.

About 120 children to feed a sandwich and a drink.

About 120 children and about 20 moms each got a sandwich and a drink. The 20 helpers did not. We estimated we would need 80 sandwiches. Then we bought bread for another 40. We were still about 20 short. So…good turnout.

Emma watched over the slackline challenge.

The soccer ball skills game.

The Race Through the Tires game.

Some of the Moms and Young Girls.

Everyone loves the puppets!

Mark 4:30-34 Our words have great power in them.

Mark 4:35-41 Jesus talks to the wind and to the waves.

A family in the islands on the Xingu River is on their way to a church meeting. (Painting by Rick Bergen, 2013).