Five months and three seasons

More than six months have passed since our last news on this blog. In the meantime, we have been able to meet several of you, whether in Northern Ireland or in France! So it has not been six months of silence but rather live news! We really enjoyed every conversation or moment shared with each of you ... Despite that, we decided to write a few lines to summarise our last months - five months and 3 seasons, let's go ...

- A restful summer

First, we arrived in France in August for 3 weeks including 10 days of quarantine. Three weeks later then we went to Northern Ireland with a new 10 day quarantine! In one month we spent 20 days in quarantine! But in the end, you know what? It was great having those quarantines to really rest and not have a choice but to stay home. Quality moments with our parents and because it was the first time they met Keoni, they could spend time with him and Lorenzo could communicate with them! In short, a restful summer.

- An Irish autumn ...

What a surprise to see that the autumn in Ireland was actually very pleasant with just some rain from time to time, otherwise Ireland would not be so green! Beyond the climate, we had a great time with family, friends, church, moments for 4, indoors but also in parks, at the beach ... and I (Nico) even discovered golf!

We spent a lot of time really focused on family to give Keoni and Lorenzo time to get to know their cousins well. They loved every moment with them whether playing in each of their houses or running around parks or farms. We even had a family weekend away in Ballycastle. Some great experiences for the boys, and for us. We also loved to watch these relationships grow but also get to spend time with our nephews and family, and finally meet our little niece who was born a week before we departed from Ireland.  

It was nice to present at church after watching online for so long like so many of you and to have the opportunity to share in both Ballynahinch Baptist and Grace Fellowship. It is always nice to return and feel the love and support from our churches. 

One of the moments that will be fondly remembered is the four of us spent a week in Scotland in our brother-in-law's parents house, they kindly lent us their house in the north of Scotland while they were visiting Northern Ireland. We were able to visit a little of this magnificent country but above all to take time for ourselves, for our children, to discover together and appreciate the beauty of nature! In short, an Irish autumn, but not just that.

- ... and a French winter.

The cold stings in France, Lorenzo several times tells us that he is cold! But we often warm up around a good meal with family or friends! Here again, this stay allows us to see many people again, to share and also reflect, to pray and also to travel. We did indeed move around a lot, which was a bit difficult for the children who had to adapt a lot, which nevertheless made them quite tired. It was also difficult as both seemed to get every cough and cold and infection that was around and Keoni even got the chicken pox! And talking about sickness, our greatest disappointment was that my parents (Nico's) got Covid at the end of our trip. We were supposed to stay with them and spend Christmas all together and these plans couldn't happen.

On a positive note we spent extra time at my sisters house with her and her family which was again time for Lorenzo and Keoni to spend with their 3 cousins. And an unplanned stay at my aunts house over Christmas. Christmas was super special despite not celebrating with my (Nico's) parents (who spent Christmas in isolation), but we were together with his sister and family, his aunts, uncles and cousin. We had a lovely meal together and the boys enjoyed opening presents with their cousins in the morning. 

Ready for Summer again...

During our time in Europe, one of the reasons for our extended stay was to reflect and pray about our commitment to YWAM in Belo Horizonte. Our commitment to the base finished 2021 and we wanted to hear from God about what was next. We spent time praying and seeking and receiving prayer and talking with pastors and friends etc to help us understand what is next. We have heard from God that we are to recommit to the YWAM Belo Horizonte for another 3 years. We are planning on making a few changes including moving out of the base to live in our own house but we plan on staying in our own neighbourhood close to Casa Rocha. This change is to make possible some plans we have for the coming years and we will keep you updated on all of that in the next blog.

Something we are looking forward to is that Lorenzo will start school in February, this is the 'start of the year' for Brazil. Lorenzo is excited to start school as his experience here in Europe is that he has watched his cousins go to school and he asked when can he go. 

Please keep us in your faithful prayers as we have returned to Brazil, as we readapt to life back at "home". Especially for the kids and even more so for Keoni who has spent more of his life in Europe than in his own home! And please pray for the above changes and our future plans. 

Thank you for reading and continuing to love and support us.

A bit late but we wish you a very Happy New Year 2022 from the four of us !! xx