(Steven)

This is a post I wrote three nights ago before going to Foz do Iguacu. The internet went bad so I couldn't post it.     

This has been a pretty sweet week. I took part in a large variety of very unique activities. I finished cutting firewood on tuesday. Later that afternoon Josh and I were given task of pulling porcupine quills out of a dogs face. When we first started trying to do that, the dog was screaming so loud the other dogs came running. Seeing it thrashing around biting my gloved hands, they decided it was showing aggression to me and pounced on it. At that point some of the kids jumped in trying to get the other dogs away so there was a mass confusion of dogs, kids, yelling, and barking all in a rather tight place. At that point I picked up the dog and carried it to the wood shop where we could work in peace. After about an hour of fighting the dog, we had all but one or two quills out and decided to call it quits before the dog had a heart attack. Sadly we got no pictures of the experience.

      Another exciting event was on morning when I was sent under the building to check the bolts holding the laundry spinner to the floor. First I had to move a mountain of firewood that was blocking the 15 x 24" door to the crawlspace. After accomplishing that I got down on my belly and slid in. Shining the light to the back, the first thing I saw in wet musty dungeon was two or three rats running back and forth. After finishing my task, I went and reported to Kevin and informed him that there were rats under the building. To that he replied "if rats are the only creature you're having to deal with, you should be thankful. We were guessing there were snakes and tarantulas." 

       We then hopped in the car and headed to the colony to buy some rat poison so I could climb back under and feed them. 

       The rest of the week we spent tearing apart the washing machine and spinner; sand blasting and painting them, the putting them back together. It was all very exciting.

       Last night I camped out with the older boys. I don't have a lot to say about that being that I couldn't understand them, but I can tell you it rained most of the night.

       Today we mostly spent relaxing. I did by doing very little and Josh did by mowing grass.

 Josh giving up efficiency so the boys can gain some valuable experience. What a man! 

Dan hard at work. 

Look at my beautiful paint job! 

Ok... so maybe it's not mine... but at least it's pretty! 

Some requested pictures of Amanda

She didn't want her picture taken so as a punishment we post this bad one :D

All prettied up for the wedding

About to go off the zipline while swimming      

   

    This is sadly going to be our last night here. We will be leaving for Foz de Iguacu tomorrow afternoon and spending a couple nights there. After that we're heading off to Turvo to start another adventure.