While Mer and I both love travel, we had never before hosted a visitor to the United States. That all changed with the rather wonderful visit of Rafael. Rafael is an English teacher in a school near Sao Paolo in Brazil, and he was one of two chaperons for a group of eleven Brazilian students who were spending thirteen days at CVCA. They had come via a week in Orlando, so they were excited to see “normal” America.

I have to admit I had a few reservations about hosting someone – I am a creature of habit, and I was worried the interruption to my schedule would be irksome. Quite the opposite happened. Rafael was a gracious guest, and was joyous over many things I have taken for granted in Ohio. Rafael gave us many gifts from Brazil, including candies and clothing and small figurines and more, but by far the greatest gift he gave me was wonder:  I got to see the beauty of my area anew with his eyes. That was pretty exciting. Rather than being excited to get back to my routine after Rafael left, I found that the house felt a little empty.

Here, in brief, are the things we tried to share with Rafael to show off America:

– Sunday the 30th – Rafael arrived, and we squeezed in a quick visit to the Ledges park.
– Monday – We hiked the Gorge Trail next to the Cuyahoga River.
– Tuesday – We showed off Brandywine Falls and went over to Mer’s parents’ place to have cake with Carlene, whose birthday it was.
– Wednesday – We went to a swanky bonfire roast hosted by a CVCA parent who wanted to welcome our Brazilian and Norwegian guests.
– Thursday – We hiked the other side of the Ledges and tried to get to the overlook for sunset, missing it by less than five minutes. We made up for that gaffe by taking Rafael to the Cheesecake Factory for supper and dessert.
– Friday – We got ice cream at Handel’s, and then went to a CVCA alumni Homecoming dinner (hot dogs and such fare), and then watched a little over half of the Homecoming football game.
– Saturday – Rafael had to chaperon some of his students, so Mer and I went to the Howe Meadows farmers’ market to buy maple syrup for waffles for Sunday. In the evening, we all went to the CVCA Homecoming banquet, where Rafael cut loose in trying just about every line dance done that evening.
– Sunday the 7th – Rafael went to church with us, and Pastor Ken was impressed at Rafael’s comprehension of the sermon and asked Rafael to pray for New Baltimore Community Church. Back home, I made chocolate chip waffles for brunch.
– Monday – We had a mellow evening.
– Tuesday – We had supper at Friday’s (the restaurant).
– Wednesday – Mer and I went to a former colleague’s calling hours, but then went home and took Rafael to supper at Hudson’s Restaurant (in Hudson), and then we had dessert at Cold Stone Creamery.
– Thursday – Mer went to the choir concert at CVCA; I think Rafael went to a Brazilian dinner for the whole group of visiting Brazilians. I was preaching in church on Sunday, so I worked on my sermon.
– Friday – Mer and I had CVCA’s Community Open House event, but we got out in time to swoop Rafael to the Hartville Kitchen for some excellent Mennonite cooking.
– Saturday – We took a brief walk in the neighborhood, and then took Rafael to the airport.

We had a busy couple of weeks, and it was grand. I’m already hoping that Rafael will come back next year, and maybe we can figure out how to get down to Brazil.