END OF YEAR ACTIVITIES

Near the end of December we visited a "Soja" [Soy] farm.  Soy is a huge export product here in Mato Grosso.  Pictured below is a large emu standing in a field of soy.  The emus like to eat caterpillars they find among the soy plants.  

Pictured here is a wonderful family that invited us to visit the Soy/Milho farm they manage.  Evan, seated in front of Lou Ellen, also manages some real estate, of which our "kitchenette" is a part.  They are so good to us.

Pictured here is our kitchen table with a bottle of fresh whole cow's milk, small hot pink flowers and squash we received at the farm.  The orchids are a gift Lou Ellen and I gave each other.  Orchids are abundant in Mato Grosso.  They don't grow wild, but they grow well.

Telespires River (not sure of the spelling) near the farm.

Road to the farm

Fresh coconut water

RLR seated in the driver's seat of a very sofisticated computerized Case brand soy harvester.

Randy gave his famous cow call and got their attention.  In a few minutes the whole herd got in a line and started a fast-walk-run for home.  Pictures here are only a few.

Christmas at our house with the elders and sisters.  

Lou Ellen choosing yams for our traditional Christmas dish of yams, sweet potatoes, pineapple, marshmallow dish.

Lunch with the Lucas branch president and his family.

Serving table at the Sorriso branch Christmas party where the missionaries presented a musical with narration about man's search for happiness.  There were 73 in attendance.

Brazilian Santa at local shopping center