Ben goes to Brazil

Ben went to Santarem, Brazil, from July 15-Aug. 1 as part of an HXP humanitarian experience. Having both Max and Ben gone at the same time was hard! Our family felt smaller and the house bigger. 

With basketball practices and tournaments, mowing lawns, and hanging out with friends, he has been gone long hours but this time we couldn't even check in because they took his phone. Location tracking stayed at the Miami Airport. But the Instagram page posted lots of updates and pictures.

He worked really hard building a clinic -- hard, dirty, sweaty labor. But they also had lots of cultural events and trips, and many spiritual experiences, such as meeting with the local ward, going on visits with the missionaries and going to the Belem Brazil Temple.

Here's the goodbye picture at the airport.

We had him take a red eye direct to Miami and I was happy to hear when others started showing up. Here is when he met his group at the airport. 

Here he is with his group leaders.

Here are some of their adventures from the first few days when they got there..

They met pink dolphins!

And slept in hammocks on the boat ride.

They met traditional local people who gave them a cultural experience.

And did face painting.

Here are Church meetings and going with the missionaries their first Sunday there.

Family home evening with some of the local Church members.

Here are pictures from the worksite.

They did a lot to plaster the walls and get them ready.

Singing on one of the long bus rides.

Dinner with the crew.

A picture afterward with friends (any picture he took he looked like a giant).

I think he was mixing cement here.

And got exhausted.

Playing basketball with locals.

The Instagram account also posted a video and we were eagerly watching for his highlights. JB grabbed this screenshot!

Plastering is dirty work.

Getting treats after a long day on the worksite.

Here's another adventure. They started by paddling down a river.

Boat ride to the beach.

Playing on the beach.

Walking to church.

Pictures with friends.

Learning a new dance.

Ben with his group leaders near the end of the trip.

And friends.

Here they are on the grounds of the temple.

Group hugs -- also this shows how tall he is.

The last group shot with everyone.

His flight was delayed and delayed and he got in late Friday night/early Saturday morning at 2 a.m. so we couldn't even all greet him at the airport. Basically it was me in the dark giving him a big squeeze. Then he slept for hours the next day. Here's a shirt he brought back for JB and then one that his group made for him with their nickname for him.

He learned he can do hard things. His testimony of the gospel was strengthened and he made great friendships. He also now loves Brazil!