“If you had asked medieval writers 'Why do you not make up a brand-new story of your own?' I think they might have replied (in effect) 'Surely we are not yet reduced to that?' Spin something out of one's own head when the world teems with so many noble deeds, wholesome examples, pitiful tragedies, strange adventures, and merry jests which have never yet been been written before? - - - ”
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It was six o’cclok of a Sunday morning and the sun was rising behind the Pedra da Gavea no Rio de Janeiro.
We were at the Barra da Tijuca savouring a delicious Brazilian breakfast at a very nice hotel, which we could not afford if had to pay for it ourselves.
As the waiter approached with coffee and milk and gently served us, Paulo noticed his accent and said “you must be a Nordestino (from the Northeast of Brasil).” When the waiter mentioned the region, Paulo replied “I am actually from the same area and I travelled in a caçuá (woven baskets which hangs over a horse’s back) through that region (the poorest of Brazil) when I was one month old.”
Adriana then said: “you have a beautiful name (Moses), a great leader of the people of Israel. “ He replied: “Yes, and I have a similar story. When I was born I was swapped by mistake with another baby whose mother had a name similar to my mom. Eight days later I was rescued and came home. My grandfather a protestant Christian said to the family: “there is only one name appropriate for him: Moses, because he was rescued from the hands of Pharaoh.”
“Now I am 32 years old and an elder in a protestant church here in Rio de Janeiro and am always preaching the good news of Jesus.”
We said that we were also protestant Christians - - - to which he was very happy to hear - left to help other customers and wished us a good breakfast.
The food seemed to taste even better, as we enjoyed it with tears of joy. Can we start the Lord’s day in a more special way?
“God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.” 1 Corinthians 1:27
“There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal. Nations, cultures, arts, civilizations - these are mortal - - But it is immortals whom we joke with, work with, marry, snub and exploit - immortal horrors or everlasting splendors.”
Cheers,
Paulo and Adriana
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