The End of an Era

You may or may not know this but MJ was born here in Brazil. She‘s the youngest of 4 kids and her parents were missionaries (to Brazil) with Wycliffe Bible Translators back in the late 60‘s and into the late 70’s. They moved back to the States (NC) when MJ was in the 4th grade where their family continued working stateside for Wycliffe.

When MJ was 15 (FYI- we started dating when she was 16!) her and her family moved to Georgia where her dad served as the SE Regional Director for Wycliffe until he retired a few years ago. My father-in-law and my mother-in-law were great examples to all of us kids (the ones born to them and to all of us who married into the family) of what it looked like to faithfully serve God because they had done it consistently over several decades.

So, in 2009’ when they decided that they were coming out of retirement (not that they actually ever slowed down) to move back to the mission field here in Brazil. We were all blown away and in awe- all at the same time. I mean, here was a couple that had finally reached retirement age and had already lived a full life serving Jesus. In my book they didn’t have to do anything else for the Kingdom. And the way I looked at it,  they deserved to just rest, to go fishing, to visit with friends, to sit on their front porch and enjoy each other. They didn’t have to sell all the stuff they had acquired over their lifetime to move back to the mission field... but they did. 

They moved here to the Camp in January of 2010’ where they lived in what we call “Grandma and Papa’s House.” It’s a little house that sits on the hill overlooking the small lake we use for swimming here at the Camp. The house is small by US standards but the view is amazing. Me and MJ would always look across the small valley that separated our 2 houses and see them early in the mornings sitting on their front porch (in their robes) drinking coffee. It was great seeing them just relaxing in the mornings and enjoying life.

Here's 'Grandma and Papa's house. If you look real close you can see my father-in-law sitting on the porch.

This is the view from 'Grandma and Papa's House.

Even though I had the ideas for the camp, my father-in-law was the brains behind how to take the ‘ideas’ and turn them into realities. Everything from remodeling the Pavilion to how to properly construct  the obstacle course (which is one of the main attractions at the Camp now). And then there’s all the maintenance on the property. This place is a maintenance nightmare. As soon as you build something it immediately starts to deteriorate. None of the wood is pressure treated, the elements are brutal, and most of the building materials that we’re use to using in the States aren’t available here. So his knowledge of construction was invaluable. 

Then there’s the moral support that my father-in-law and my mother-in-law offered. It’s been amazing to have them to talk to, to get advice from, to vent to, to help with the kids, to just be there... But that’s all come to an end: (

Our oldest son, Michael, got married back in July and they went home for the wedding. They had planned on staying for 3 months then coming back at the end of November. But on November 17th we received the email that we all suspected would come but that none of us wanted to come. And, in the email, they explained that it was one of the most difficult decisions that they’ve ever had to make but after much prayer and contemplation- they decided that they weren’t coming back to Brazil.

They had decided to remain in the States. It was a difficult decision, but one that totally made sense to all of us. Let’s face it, bottom line- it’s difficult living here. Nothing is easy. The toll that it takes on you physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually is immense. The toll that it takes on all of us (and we’re all in our 40’s) is crazy-difficult. So to be in your 70’s and enduring this kind of hard living is unfathomable to us all. So the decision made sense. But it was painful nonetheless.

Here they are at our oldest son, Michael, and our new daughter-in-law, Sarah's wedding.

The void that it leaves for the rest of us who are still here is huge. Now, all the things that we depended on them for, are rolled back on to us. It’s been an adjustment, that’s for sure. But it’s done one thing for me that’s even bigger... and that’s the whole reason for this blog.

It’s made me thankful for them. Even though they’re not here anymore it’s made me thankful for them. It’s made me thankful for the example that they’ve been for Me, MJ, and our kids. And I want to take this opportunity to publicly thank them for all the help and support that they’ve given to us over the last 26 years that they’ve been in my life. And I want to especially thank them for all the help that they’ve been to us here in Brazil. We couldn’t have done all the things we’ve done here if it weren’t for the two of them. So, “thank you.”

Getting ready to go see the kids sing in a Christmas musical at a church in Jardim Paulista.

I know that we (all of us here in Brazil) feel a great loss. And this blog even seems like a eulogy- but they’re not dead, they’ve just moved. But who says that you have to wait until someone dies before you tell everyone how awesome they are!? Not me. We love and appreciate them and we just want them (and everyone else) to know it. And even though they live in the States now, the little house on the hill is (and always be) referred to as “Grandma and Papa’s House.” We love and miss you guys!

Jim