Subject: Julho 2001: Braga, Portugal

Date: Mon, 09 Jul 2001 10:09:43 -0700

Olá a Todos --

We now have internet access from home here in Braga. The world is shrinking.

Thanks to our new digital camera (a gift from my dear recruiting friends), you will soon find new photos on the "Kleber Family Update" section of our website... just as soon as I find the PC-camera-connector-cable. Until then, Jordan enjoys writing his weekly Sunday update to the "Praise & Prayer" page and we relish your Guestbook comments.

As July (Julho) arrived, we finally began to settle into our routines. The initial phase of unpacking, organizing, locating banks and stores, learning how to pay bills, tackling those initial language barriers, etc, has given way to a calmer sense of being, well, on vacation. At least for me. I have that "slightly off-kilter" sense of timelessness. Wonder how long that will last?

Jordan, who is definitely not on vacation, is doing a FABULOUS job at the Habitat jobsite. After a winter and spring full of delays and discouragement, great progess is being made with the houses. International volunteers are arriving in mass and having a wonderful time, and Jordan is loving and encouraging them all in their work and their faith. What a perfect job for him.

This week, God sent two experienced "finish carpenters" from the USA to the Habitat jobsite. (It is unusual to have volunteers with any professional experience.) Jordan is ecstatic. This is absolutely perfect timing, as they are trying to complete at least one house for an upcoming visit by the President of Portugal. (The President of Portugal is more like royalty than anything I've ever seen related to a President... so this is a huge deal.) Another fun aspect of this job is the way it utilizes Jordan's creative side: he has enjoyed coming up with ways to significantly and effectively use this Presidential visit to bless and encourage the new homeowners as well as the overall Habitat/Portugal efforts.

Each evening after work, Jordan tries to squeeze in some Portuguese lessons or Habitat committee meetings... along with some "energy management" time with Drex. Fortunately, Drex and Jordan stumbled onto a park at a nearby Boy's Home where they and their eclectic collection of sports paraphernalia are gleefully welcomed by a horde of boys many evenings each week.

Austin enrolled in a one-month Portuguese language class at the local University of Minho. She's enjoying making friends from all over the world and is now speaking the best Portuguese of all the Klebers. The course is excellent preparation for her pending move to the University of Coimbra in October, both because of the language work and because of this first taste of "University Life." Hey, college is fun!

I enrolled Drex at the local church's preschool program called Fundação (foon-dah-SOW), four mornings a week. It's been quite a stretch for him but last week he started to enjoy it -- which made things much easier for me. This past Friday, he woke up extremely excited about an all-day field trip. (His teacher and I both thought he would want to skip Fundação for the day.) Due to linguistic problems, neither he nor I had any idea WHERE they were going, but he was anxious to go. I picked him up at 5pm -- OK, I admit I got there early and waited a bit anxiously -- and he had a fabulous time. Wherever he went. Thank God.

Unfortunately, Drex is still not speaking much Portuguese so please pray that he'll begin to use the language so that he can make friends.

As for me, right now I'm supposed to be doing the weekly major shopping trip (Monday morning chore, while Drex is at Fundação) but Austin took my bankcard out last night with her classmates and didn't return it. Grrrrrrrrrr.

Otherwise, as a wise friend wrote yesterday: "Amazing how life overseas just takes more time - our economy is built on the concept of hurry." So I, Deb Kleber, with a BS in Efficiency am unlearning the concept of hurry. Or more precisely, I think I am learning to quell my innate quest for efficiencies. It's a good lesson.

This is quite long, so I will end here. I'll use the next note to answer your questions about the city and the people. Until then, please know that we love and miss you all. Thank you for your friendship and your support.

May God bless you, every one!

Beijinhos,
debk e família