The School Report

We walked into the school office and asked to pick up the boys a couple hours early. We were told by our leadership down here in Brazil that the first week as they were adjusting to the long days, it would be fine to get them a little early. We chose 3:15. I was really unsure of what to expect when we saw them. The first to arrive up to the main gate area was JohnMark. He was still all grins and carrying a sandwich. He explained to me that this was just his afternoon snack and that he really wished I would feed them as well as they were being fed at the school. UH....okay!!!?!

Jackson turned the corner next. He was trotting up to us with his backpack and a BIG smile. We knew immediately that his day had been some sort of success. He shared the names of his newest friends and told me that THIS WAS THE MOST RELAXED SCHOOL HE'D EVER SEEN!! He then went on to describe how he didn't have to march around like a soldier or be quiet in the line because there were no lines. He shared how he was able to even walk around with JohnMark on the school grounds after he finished his work. He WAS ECSTATIC! I'm thinking the whole time, "what do you mean there are no lines!" He then demonstrated what he meant and just kept talking and talking. WHEW!! 2 down 1 to go!

About 5 minutes later Jayden walked towards us with a very sweet little girl! It was the girl who we had met on the day we took a tour through the school. She is from California and just moved back here as well. She and Jayden bounce over towards Michael and I with really big smiles on their faces. She then urges Jayden to tell us something. "What in the world" is about all I can think! Jayden starts in on how he really wants Isabel to come over to our house and that he has been invited to her house. (by Isabel of course) Then Isabel takes over. She explains to me that she is Jayden's translator and that she and he have decided he has no need to learn Portuguese. OH MY!!! Needless to say, Jayden had a good first day of school. I'm not sure how well he's doing on cultural and language learning but he's definitely outwitted the system. He's also got a mothering type figure at school now that seems to be taking very good care of him!