Dear Family and Friends,

Yes, it really happened…and we actually survived! Senor and Senhora Caê Normanha are now officially husband and wife and we couldn't be happier. Let us give you the beautiful details…

We arrived in Brazil on December 20 on two different flights and met up at the airport . It was crazy! Most of the air traffic controllers were on strike and there were hundreds of canceled and delayed flights and there were people everywhere. Thankfully, we had arranged a meeting place and we found each other without any problem. Next, we went out into the “nice warm air” (hot and humid) to try and get a bus to Campinas. Because of all the confusion in the airport, the bus schedules were all out of whack and so we had to wait a while for a bus. After about two hours on the bus, we arrived in Campinas and hailed down three taxis to carry our stuff to the hotel. Hilary and Caê met us there. It was good to be “home”.

The next several days were filled with Hilary and I (Lynn) finishing up wedding plans. We had to go and meet with the photographer, decorator and the baker that Hilary had chosen. The guys all had to go and get fitted, musicians secured for the ceremony, and we had to decide how to arrange tables, chairs, etc. at the location where the wedding would take place, especially what to do if it rained. Taylor, Hilary, Yasmin, (Caê’s sister) and I made some of the decorations for the wedding. David was refining and practicing the ceremony. He was nervous about several things; the fact that this was his first wedding to conduct, that he would be doing the ceremony in Portuguese, and that this would be an emotional time for Dad to “marry off” his little girl. Grandma was writing out family recipes for the new housewife. Needless to say, we were all busy. We did find time to have several nice meals together and just spend a little time relaxing as a family for Christmas. Of course, Taylor and Jacob were glad to see their friends and spent as much time as possible with them. Jacob and Caê skated everyday that it didn’t rain.

Before our arrival in Brazil, Hilary and Caê called us and asked if Caê could take on our name as part of his name. When they filled the intent to be married papers, they had to put what they wanted their official legal names to be after the wedding. In Brazil because of Latin American Roman Catholic tradition, many people have several names, incl. their mother’s maiden name, so they were already thinking that when they have children they would use both Atkisson and Normanha. However, Caê only was given two names, Caê Normanha. He asked Hilary if she thought we would mind if he took on our name because he feels so much like a part of our family already. We were overwhelmed and overjoyed that he would even think of asking. Of course, we said we were honored. This does not mean they have a hyphenated last name. They are only using Normanha. Atkisson is now Caê’s middle name.

On Thursday afternoon before the wedding, we all went down to the Civil Registry for the civil ceremony which is required by law in Brazil. There were documents to be signed by Hilary and Caê and four witnesses (David, Lynn, Jacob and Grandma…Taylor couldn’t sign, you have to be over 18). The judge simply said to them, “Caê Normanha, do you want to marry Hilary Aileen Atkisson?” and he said “yes” and visa versa. That was it. But afterwards, they told us that when they went to file their “intent to be married” documents the people in the office asked them a lot of questions. But I thought that was kind of scary, considering how many people in Brazil never have any other ceremony but the civil one. No wonder faithfulness in marriage is a huge problem there.

The whole week before the wedding it rained every day but usually not until around 4-5pm and by 6-7 it had cleared up so we were hopeful that the weather would hold off for the ceremony. The plan was to have it under the covered patio (rain or shine) and then have the guests sit at tables out in the yard around the pool for the reception. The day of the wedding it looked cloudy all day and in the late afternoon we had a little light rain. After the ceremony, while the wedding party was out in front of the house taking pictures, the guests arranged most of the tables under the patio “just in case”. We did have a few drops but nothing major. So, for all of you who prayed for the weather to cooperate, THANK YOU!!!

The ceremony was incredible. First the moms and Grandma A. were seated and we tried to light the unity candles (the wind kept blowing them out…). Then the processional began with the groomsmen and the bridesmaids. Jacob was best man and Taylor maid of honor. Gui, the other young man we have written about in our newsletters, and Yasmin, Caê’s sister, were the other two attendants. I (Lynn) thought we would all “lose it” as soon as David and Hilary started down the aisle with the musicians doing Natalie Cole’s version of “Unforgettable”, but we survived. It was such a joy to see Caê come half way down the aisle and shake David’s hand and give him a big hug then Hilary give her Dad a kiss and hug and David place Hilary’s arm in Caê’s. Believe it or not, I (Lynn) didn’t shed a tear then but I sure am now writing this. But I can assure you, it is all joy! It was so beautiful!

Of course, David began with prayer and the biblical reasons for the ceremony. There were only a few believers in the audience and Hilary and Caê had been clear that they wanted a very evangelical and traditional ceremony. It was very important to them to have the families participate in the ceremony and so they asked Grandma A. and Caê’s father, José Alencar, to do the readings. Grandma read an Irish wedding blessing in English and José read the Scripture passages in Portuguese. Caê wanted it this way so that everyone would hear the Word and understand it clearly. They had asked David to choose the passages that he would use in his message.

Some of you may remember from way back that Caê’s parents split when he was 14 and he had not been raised in a Christian home. Of course, Caê and his mother became believers in our home several years ago but we are not sure if José is practicing any religion now or not. He lives in another city close by Campinas but Caê rarely sees him. Not long after he began to read the Scriptures David had prepared, José began to weep and the more he read the harder he wept. David had printed out several passages and the last one was I Corinthians 13, the “love” chapter. He almost couldn’t finish the reading. PLEASE PRAY for José Alencar and also for Yasmin who still has not given her life to the Lord.

David began the message talking about Caê and how we met him and that he and Jacob were/are such good friends and how he came to the Lord in our home and we grew to love him like our own. David also spoke of Hilary and Caê’s relationship as friends before there were any “romantic feelings” between them. He continued on with “their story” and then he talked with them about their life together before God and how they need to not be concerned about their own needs but each others. The main idea and title of the message was “minister and not manipulate”.

They then said their vows (they used a combination of the traditional Brazilian and American ones). Hilary said her vows in English and Caê said his in Portuguese. The exchange of rings was next followed by the lighting of the unity candle, the blessing by David and the pronouncement of the union, the kiss, the presentation of the couple, and the processionals.

The wedding party went out to the front of the house for pictures. When we returned everyone congratulated the bride and groom and the caterers began to make delicious French crepes of all kinds with meats, cheeses and vegetables. The band was playing nice jazzy tunes and everyone was enjoying the atmosphere. Hilary and Caê were smiling SO big I thought their faces would break. After a while we served cake and Jacob made a toast to the newlyweds. Around 11pm Hilary and Caê took off for the hotel they stayed at for two nights in Campinas (they waited to go on their honeymoon until after we left so they could spend time with us). They spent their honeymoon on an island near Rio.

The month of January in Brazil is holiday for most people. Our photographer was going on a vacation right after the wedding for a couple of weeks and when she returns, she will develop and get our pictures on CD. There will be a link where they can be viewed and we will send that to you when we have it. Thanks to our good friend, Kathy Wells, who attended the wedding, we have these three pictures to share with you until we get the others. (next page)

PLEASE READ this last paragraph………..
Hilary and Caê have asked that we request prayer for them. Last year Caê applied for financial aid from the university and he was told that he would more than likely be able to get a federal loan. Last week he was told that he probably wouldn’t get the loan and the final answer will be given to them on Jan. 29th. Since he was allowed to go all of this past year without paying (because he was applying for help), he cannot begin this year of study unless he pays for all of last year (roughly US $6000). Needless to say, they don’t have that kind of money. So, they need to decide whether or not for both of them to take a year off of school and work and save as much as possible, or Caê take off and work and Hilary continue in school since we are still trying to pay for her tuition. The latest development is that the American School in Campinas recently offered Hilary a teaching position which would be steady work and she could still teach private lessons as well. Caê can get a full-time job in a hotel since many of them are looking for employees who can speak English well.

Another option is that they would only take one semester off, work and save, pay the bill, and then transfer to a Presbyterian university in São Paulo where Hilary can probably go for free or next to nothing because David is a Presbyterian pastor. It is a very good school. There is much to think and pray about and they are asking that everyone would lift them up through this decision. Caê says, “We want to know what God wants us to do and do the right thing.”

Thank you so much for being a part of our ministry and our lives. May the Lord bless you as you seek to serve Him this new year.

Soli Deo Gloria,
Lynn for all

Bride and Groom

Caê and Margarida

David, Lynn and Hilary

- January 25, 2007