Date: Fri, 28 Dec 2001 19:33:18
Subject: Post Christmas greetings

Fellow Laborers
	Christmas went off quite well.  Christmas Eve I went over to a
Brazilian friend's house around 8:30 along with another single missionary.
We watched some of an Eric Clapton concert (that was filmed in Brazil no
less) while we waited to go to another house for dinner.  Around 9:30 we
headed over to another family's house for dinner with some other
Brazilians families.  We began eating around 10:30 and kept going until
almost midnight at which point people all over the city began setting off
fireworks to welcome Christmas day.  I had a great time with the
Brazilians and the food was excellent as always.  The weather was even
"cold".  I don't know the exact temperature but I would say low 60s.  The
Brazilians were wearing sweatshirts and the like.  They were all very
welcoming and made us (me and the other missionary) quite at home.
	Christmas day I went out to a ranch to have lunch with the family
of my Brazilian friend.  I practiced a lot of Portuguese and even helped
some of them with their English.  I got back home around 5 PM and was able
to talk with my family and friends back in the States via Instant
Messenger.  All in all I wasn't very sad and had a great time learning how
Brazilians celebrate Christmas.
	Two days after Christmas John Marshall (missionary I will be
working with in Sao Paulo) picked me up and helped me move to Sao Paulo.
My house here is pretty cool, but it needs a little bit of work.  I won't
have a phone for at least a week and then we will tackle getting Internet
service after that.  These next few months I will just be getting my
bearings in the city, learning how to survive on my own, and doing
preliminary work with John.  Due to holidays the students won't be getting
back to campus until March, so this is a perfect time for me to arrive and
get situated.
	Due to the Internet situation I am not sure when I will be able to
post pictures of my Christmas day activities or of my new house.  For the
time being I will be using other missionaries computers to do all of my
email etc.  I do have a cell phone that I will use while I live in Sao
Paulo, but I can't get Internet access unless I have a land line to my
house.

	Please be in prayer for:
		My adjustment to living in Sao Paulo
		Getting phone and Internet in my house
		Fixing things that need to be fixed in my house
		Beginning work with John

	I want to thank all you guys who sent me Christmas notes and
greetings.  I really enjoyed hearing from you guys.  Its encouraging to
know that I am still in your thoughts and prayers.  You guys are in mine
as well and I hope that never changes.  I love you guys and hope you have
a great New Years holiday.

Justin