Saturday, July 29

After all your preparation, the arduous journey, the force that called you here is asking for something vital only you can give. What is it? What can you give back? Has your amazement been amazed yet? Consider the marvel of your arrival.

This morning I slept a half hour later than usual, and it was a beautiful thing to have the extra sleep. What was not beautiful however was the weather. Our first cloudy and rainy day also happened to be our first and only day at the beach. Luckily, by the time we arrived at the beach, the rain had stopped, and the sun eventually parted long enough to allow a few rays of sun to shine through. The waves at the beach were gigantic and powerful, and the most exhilarating and painful activity was running into the enormous wall of water that was created by the waves and powerful current. We were met by our Brazilian friends at the beach, and we all were able to enjoy the beautiful coast.














After the beach, we all piled onto the bus and drove to the most magical place I’ve ever been: the all you can eat pizza parlor. I thought we had reached the pinnacle of food services at the all you can eat Brazilian steak house, but friends I tell you that that is not so. Not only did we receive the usual pepperoni and cheese pizza, but I also for the first time experienced shrimp pizza, white chocolate pizza, bacon pizza, and dark chocolate pizza with strawberries. Even with my allergy to cheese, I engulfed 12 pieces of pizza.














After we had finished with this amazing place, the whole group went to a Rio mall so the females of the group could go on their long “needed” shopping spree. All of us enjoyed the mall, and our Brazilian friends bought everyone sandals as a parting gift. When we came back to the convent and began our nightly devotionals, we heard the eerie howling of the wind outside for the first time. We aren’t sure of where this sound came from, but it was the creepiest, yet most amazing sound I have ever heard. During our silent prayer, the wind picked up its intensity and let out a sad shriek. It was an awesome way to end the day.
–will kimmell