What's exciting!

Last Thursday, one of the grade school student complained to his teacher, "Nuthin exciting happens at this school." I don't know if the boy was bored or tired. But, excitement was just around the corner. The school he was referring to is PACA--Pan American Christian Academy. This is the school where our son, Kevin, is the Director of Development and Marketing. Our grandson, Samuel, is in second grade. He is also the red-haired boy in the following pictures.

On Friday, Kevin and Samuel arrived early to be met by some men wanting permission to land a helicopter on the school's soccer field. Apparently the wife of the governor of Sao Paulo was making an appearance nearby and need a secure location for her helicopter to land and the bullet-proof cars to pick her up.

As her security detail looked over the school for security purposes, the school staff were having their devotions which started with singing and ended with the announcement that a helicopter would be landing on the soccer field that morning. The teachers were given permission to let the children watch it land.

While Mrs. Serra's security men were waiting for her arrival, one of the men asked Kevin, "Is this a Christian school?"

Kevin replied, "Yes, it is a bi-lingual Christian school. Why do you ask?"

The security man replied, "I heard you singing and it was one of the songs we sing in our church. I am also a Christian."

While the kids watched with excitement, a fire truck arrived, the helicopter landed, the governor's wife was swept away for her meeting and the helicopter departed with a flash of lights and much waving. Sometime later the helicopter landed waiting for Mrs. Monica Serra to return but she was delayed. So as the helicopter sat on the field, the children were invited to sit in the back seat and ask the pilots questions.

Finally, Mrs. Serra arrived and several of the Brazilian teachers spoke personally with her. They were excited to greet her and exchange a few words with her.

After the helicopter departed, then the kids were allowed to explore the fire truck, try on the firemen's hats, watch as the hoses were rolled out and the water sprayed into the air. Friday was a field day that happened on the soccer field.

I wonder how many kids went home to dream about being a pilot or a fireman? I also wonder how many of the teachers that greeted Mrs. Serra will say in the future, "One day at PACA, I shook hands with the first lady of Brazil!" For it looks like the governor is running for president in this year's election in Brazil and right now is ahead in the polls.

What is exciting for you?

Reporting from Sao Paulo,

Arlene for the Flurrys