Presidents & Pineapples

President Lula won 4 more years here in Brazil, an election result I promised you. We had a great 3-day visit with mission colleagues in Belem. Two days later Vivian was off on her trip to the U. S. (Nov. 3) but not without some serious re-routing through the south of Brazil and getting a later flight from Miami to R. I. She is really enjoying helping to look after our two grandsons while awaiting arrival of # three. But I do miss her a lot... Even made rice once, did three loads of wash and generally try to pick up after myself. Great to have a cleaning lady one AM each week. Oh yes, the growing pineapple out front fell off. Our neighbor boy was watching it for me but it was another fellow who found it. After a week in a bag on top of the frig, it actually ripened. I gave half to David who was thrilled. He agreed that it was really good and even took a slice to school in his lunch stuff! Reminds me of a story of a missionary who tried to grow pineapples and the locals never seemed to allow any to ripen..they just disappeared! He got very upset and the story ends something like the book of Jonah, as I recall: God had to remind the missionary that He was much more interested in people than in the missionary's silly pineapple patch (or gourd). So far, my pineapple has actually helped build a relationship with the neighbor boy. Told his mom he will invite me to his sixth birthday party in December. Must wait and see. No more pineapples ripening so maybe a children's CD or Bible would make a good present for David. What do you think?