Bom dia, Americana!

No, I'm not in America yet, but in Nova Odessa neighbor city Americana. The owner of this internet cafe is a very talkative Palestinian from Bethlehem! He says that I should move here because there are many people from my country in Brazil and I could be one them. He says, that Brazil is a free country, that's why people should live here. All Brazilians want to talk whenever they have a chance.
So yesterday we arrived in Nova Odessa. I praised God from all my heart when I could finally get off the bus because it was like a freezer. I had 5 layers on during the night and I was covering myself with a coat, I tied the hood tightly and covered my face with a scarf. It was TERRRRRIBLY cold! Ondina had a hat, she pulled it down under her nose so it would be warmer. And she put her bag on her knees so they wouldn't freeze so much. I had never been so cold in a Latvian winter as I was that night. But now I'm staying at Ondina's home and she started the heater. Last night was wonderful!
Now we are at a neighbor city Americana. Ondina showed me her former work place, we went to several shops. I bought a dress! It's such a wonderful feeling when you have something new and feminine :) I'm enlightened by supermarket shelves that are full of choices. For a while I only dreamed about this. I start to remember of benefits of civilization and sometimes I catch myself smiling about the fact that city life is nice.
We rode Ondina's Volkswagen TL from 1974. Who would have thought that Ondina is such a good driver! She said she'll let me drive too!
I saw some Latvians yesterday. Everyone wants to talk to me, to tell me something, they invite me for lunch, invite me to stay with them. It was a real adventure to talk to Ondina's brother Nil. His Latvian is SO wise and intellectual, maybe few college professors talk as wise as him! I really had to think to find the right words that would match his wording. I got used to very simple Latvian in the jungle.
We will go to Ondina's sister-in-law for lunch. Her name in Nancy, she also speaks Latvian. Just think about it, it's so interesting that SO many people speak Latvian here on the other side of the world...
I'm really happy about this week in Nova Odessa. They call me firefighter because I'm rushing to leave... :D But it's better to visit a little bit then don't visit at all, isn't it?
And in a week I will be in America with my sister and other loved ones.
By the way, our dear bishop Peter Sprogis will attend The Brazil's Latvian Baptist Congress. And our Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis will come, too! It's a pity I can't stay but I will meet him another time.
HUGE thank you to those who texted or called me. I can receive everything but I can't call or text myself. Every word I received both orally or in writing was fantastic!!! I almost felt at home! My dears, I love you so much!
And I love my time in Nova Odessa!
OK, Ondina is waiting for me. She finished her shopping and we have to go to have lunch :)

Corumba

I'm sitting at a dark and suspicious looking internet cafe in Corumba, Brazil. Ondina and I were running errands all day long and we devoted a bit of our time to sightseeing, too. Quite pleasant city with a historic touch that gives you a cool look. I liked it.
We were at Puerto Suarez consular office at 8:00 AM because the office was supposed to open then. The manager arrived at 9:00 AM and started to talk to us at 9:10 AM. And in 2 hours I had gotten another Brazilian visa and we could start to look for a taxi that would take us to the border. It was nice to return to the unique Bolivian office once more, the same officer worked there. 3 months ago he had really long nails. He had cut his nails this time and he was wearing a black glove with red flames on one hand. A great look. Of course, all Bolivian heroes still looked me from the pictures on the walls. I got the necessary stamp that let me out of Bolivia and we walked across the border to the next office to bet Brazilian stamp. Everything was OK. We bought the bus ticket for our 24 hour ride to Nova Odessa tomorrow at 8:00 AM. 
I'm really sad that my phone is still not working. It shows that I have coverage but I can't call of text anyone. So sad... I was SO excited that I would return to civilization and thus to the wonderful world of cell phone connection... I'd really appreciate if anyone could give some advice how I could communicate via cell phone again.
It's really wintery here. I'm wearing 4 layers and I kept my arms in the pockets most of the time so they would not freeze. I didn't expect it to be this cold here.
Thanks to God, everything is good.
I want to go home SO much. More every day...
I send you all my love from Brazil! Every day I am closer to my home :)

Hello from Puerto Suarez

 We have arrived in Puerto Suarez. Don Silvio drove us out of the jungle in 3.5 hours. Sometimes the car shook so much I thought I will lose all my wisdom that I accumulated in the past 6 months... but I think something is still left in my blond head.
The last morning was so weird. Last breakfast, goodbyes, last look at my dear room, Velta's special wish when we parted... and we're gone.
We just had a delicious chicken. It was the thickest and widest chicken breast I have ever had! It was really good. Celebration for my stomach. Thank you to Ondina for caring for me and feeding me.
It's winter here. Really cool weather. I will wear all my warm clothes I have with me.
I plan to SLEEP IN tomorrow! For the first time in the past 6 months!
Everything is ok. Now when home is so close, I wish I was there sooner though...
When I left Rincon the only thought on my mind was how VERY thankful I am to God for this time. Golden time of my life!
Talk to you later!

Last night

I know I have said it before but I really can't believe it's over. I have never had 6 months pass by so quickly.
I'm at Jansons' home with my five dear Texans. We will have a little goodbye party. We making popcorn and drinking Coke.
Velta will try to get the earliest taxi possible to come to Rincon. Ondina and I have to ready to leave at any moment. Ondina is thoroughly preparing for that whole week long.
I'm glad that my kitchen duty is over. Several papaya cakes, carrot cake, grapefruit dessert, meatball soup, pizza lo macho, crepes with meat filling, delicious cookies and other delicious things. It was our menu this week. Eaters were smiling and satisfied. Such a joy!
A local Ayoreo woman came to visit me for the last time with her handmade jewelery. I gave her my last 20 Bolivians. Surprisingly she gave me a discount, which is not common to Ayoreos. She gave me a wide toothless smile and promised to give me some more jewelery when I return.
I visited several Ayoreo families yesterday. I had a 7th grade student Velta with me, she's an Ayoreo but she perfectly speaks Spanish and she helped me communicate with the locals. They all were very hospitable, asked me several questions about my parents, my husband (!!!) and about returning. The oldest Ayoreo Iyadate let me record her wonderful song, I saw how men made turtle soup and then ate it. Ladies made the typical bags on the ground. An excellent afternoon.
I finished packing an hour ago. I looked and marveled how all my 6 months fit in two suitcases... Please pray for Ondina's and my trip. They are forecasting rain and fog on our route. There have been several car accidents. May God clear the foggy roads and help drivers be really alert. To my surprise I'm still receiving some parcels. I want to say a big thank you to Tanya for the special letter and beautiful pictures! It was a nice surprise. And a special thank you to Janie for valuable reading material i received last week!
It's over... I'm leaving Rincon tomorrow. What will I take with me besides 2 suitcases? A heart full of love to and from my girls and my special Rincon's friends. Many blessings and wisdom from God... and many colorful memories...
Brother Janis told me today that he will stab the tyres tomorrow so I can't go anywhere...
I love this place! From all my heart. But on the other hand I'm really happy that I will be home soon! I can't wait to be back... Oh well... I don't know when I will write the next time, it won't be Rincon for sure... at least for a while...
Thank you for your prayers. And keep praying please!!! There is SO MUCH power in prayer!!!


Love,
Liene

Last week

Rincon is like desert now. Not that it lacks green but because it's totally quiet and there are probably a dozen people here. So weird...
But it's my duty to feed that dozen. Velta left me all Rincon's keys and other things I have to manage. So I cook good meals together with Edna and Marta who live here. Ondina and I are going to drug store and helping those who are sick. I sell phone cards, feed and cure dogs.
It's so good to have friends from Texas here. Totally our own people.
Oh, I finally got to go to the famous "Aguas calientes" that is a lake where hot water comes from underground. A paradise-like place! Warm, clean, blue water in the middle of jungle. We spent few fantastic hours there.
Velta will come home from Corumba on Saturday. Ondina and I will leave in the same taxi Velta will arrive in. We will got o Puerto Suarez where we will stay at pastor's house until Monday morning when I have to go to Brazil's consular office to get Brazilian visa. Then we plan to go to Corumba on Monday where we'll spend one or three nights. It depends on whether Ondina will have an appointment with her dentist or not. If she goes to see her dentist we will go to Nova Odessa on Thursday. I will spend several days there. On July 6th I will fly to Texas to see my sister and other dear Texans!
I can't stop wonder that this is my last week. My heart is full! I wish I could turn on an audio device and tell you everything but oh well... let's wait until Latvia...
I still need courage until the very end to finish well! I keep thanking God every day!
And I want to say a BIG thank you to Kristine for the parcel I finally received after two months. Thank you to everyone who had written letters to me!!! If you knew how I smiled and rejoiced! I laughed and cried. My friends, my gold! I can't wait to thank you and hug you in real life!
OK, I have to go kitchen to cook dinner!