An Indian Village

Jeremy has had several opportunities to visit remote areas and Indian villages, but this was the first time for me and the boys to tag along.  The village we visited is about 100 kilometers (60 miles) from where we live, but it took about two hours to get there, because of the road conditions.

It's been raining nearly everyday, and it had rained here all night.

 I'm sure we wouldn't have made it without using our 4x4

 We arrived just in time for their Sunday morning service. There was already a large group gathered together.

This Brazilian missionary is working to translate the Bible into their language, as well as other materials for them to use.

We, of course, couldn't understand what he was saying in the native language, but we noticed that the people all seemed to be talking amongst themselves while he taught. We couldn't really tell if he was asking questions or if they weren't paying attention to him. Later we learned that it is their custom to repeat what he says and discuss it as he is speaking.

We also noticed that when these people talk to someone, they don't look them in the eye. It seems at first glance as a lack of respect, but it is just their culture and their way of doing things.

We were also amused at the dogs in attendance. There were also many chickens who came to church with us.

This man is from a neighboring tribe, and the missionary told us later that he had walked 12 kilometers (about 7 1/2 miles) through the rain and mud to be in the service that morning.

His "headdress" is made of parrot feathers, and when he turned his head to the side, I noticed that his nose was pierced through where he probably at some time wore a feather through his nose also. The missionary told us that this is a way that the tribes identify themselves.

The village was full of beautiful children. Only the men speak a little Portuguese, so I wasn't able to talk with the women and children, but I would have loved to get to know them a little.

These are some of the missionaries who are working with this tribe, teaching and translating. It was a great experience to talk with them and learn from them.

 

We passed this field on the way to the village. 

Sometimes the grass really IS greener on the other side of the fence!