Five days after we arrived in Bocaiúva, we attended church the first time. I helped with the one Primary class, taught by Elaine Ceccon [ee-luh-ee-nay sek-own]. It included children from ages 3 to 10, an almost impossible task. Elaine was having trouble controlling the kids for just a few minutes longer, so I jumped in, whispering a secret: "Today is my birthday. Shhhh. Don't tell anyone." I just used it to capture their attention, and expected nothing else...Really. Later that night, the Elders and three families (Ceccon's, Rau's, Dal'Lin's) knocked on the door and came in with cakes, desserts, drinks and gifts! The Rau's gave me an apron, hand painted with the children's help. Dani Dal'Lin gave me an Avon eye shadow compact. What a fun first birthday celebration in Brazil!
|