Month: March 2019

Explore the south of Brazil

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Journey Coordinator Invitation
Exploring South of Brazil
October 20 to November 3, 2019
Hello! My name is Hélcio Lanzoni and I would like to invite you to join us on a Journey that goes through many aspects of this unique region of Brazil. Although I live in the state of São Paulo (Southeast Region), the South Region is my favorite destination. A great touristic, economic, and cultural pole, the South Region received a great flow of European immigrants in the 19th century, mainly Germans and Italians, which enriched its customs, food, and culture.
Curitiba: October 20 to 27, 2019

Our Journey begins with a seven-night homestay in Curitiba, the capital of the state of Paraná. We are going to enjoy the hospitality of the local Friendship Force club, whose members planned an excellent week for us, which includes two out-of-town trips: Vila Velha and Morretes. Vila Velha State Park is located about 90 km (57 mi) from Curitiba. For over one million years, ice-age glaciers and wind erosion worked together to sculpt Vila Velha’s unique rock formations.
To get to the city of Morretes we will go by train. The track begins at 934m above sea level and goes down towards the coast, crossing the greatest conservation area for the Atlantic Rainforest in Brazil. This magnificent green area is considered one of the 5 richest biomes in the world. Sidenote: I visited Curitiba for the first time in the late ’80s, and I loved the city for its culture and organization. In that trip I met a beautiful local girl and that was it. This year we will celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary.
Foz do Iguaçu: October 27 to 29, 2019
Located in the state of Paraná, this city has a triple international border: Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina. Multicultural and international, Foz do Iguaçu is the city where you can visit the magnificent Iguazu Falls. We will also visit Bird Park, where we can walk among birds of several specimens from Brazil and other places of the world. I love it.
And once in Foz do Iguaçu, visitors cannot miss Rafain, a place where we will taste world famous Brazilian “churrasco” (barbecued meat) and enjoy live presentations of Brazilian, Argentinian, and Paraguayan dances and songs. I have been there twice and I can assure you that it is great. Sidenote: The Iguazu Falls are in the border between Brazil and Argentina. Most of the waterfalls are in the Argentinian side, but the best views are in the Brazilian side, and that’s where all tourists go. Good for us!

Gramado: October 29 to November 1, 2019
Gramado is located in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, in the Serra Gaúcha region. The city was originally settled by the Portuguese and later received a contingent of German and Italian immigrants. From Gramado we will have a one-day tour to the region where the best wine of Brazil is produced (yes, you will be surprised). In the same tour we will board a steam train to visit typical Italian colonial places. Beautiful places, friendly people, great food.
Sidenote: There is a plaza in downtown Gramado in which every afternoon, at about 4PM, Italian families prepare and bake (in huge wood ovens) several types of bread and other marvels. They sell them over the counter as soon as they come out of the oven. It’s worth trying.
Cambará do Sul and Itaimbezinho Canyon: November 1 to 3, 2019
Not yet discovered by hordes of tourists, this breathtaking region is at an altitude of about 1000 meters (3200 ft.) and its canyons are considered the greatest in Brazil. Yes, this is our “Grand Canyon”. We will be able to visit Itaimbezinho Canyon, Fortaleza Canyon, and more. Mobility is adaptable, and in some places you can park your vehicle nearby the sightseeing places. You can sit and enjoy the view or hike towards more distant sites.
Sidenote: This region became known by a wider audience in Brazil because of a TV series in the late ‘90s. The series was about the secession war that took place in the 19th century, when the South wanted to get independent from Brazil (does it sound familiar?). The rebels rode their horses on top of these canyons to escape from Brazilian troops. I hope you will join me on this Journey! If you have questions or comments, do not hesitate in contacting me. In friendship, Hélcio Lanzoni, Journey Coordinator
hlanzoni@teseprime.org WhatsApp: +55 16 99156-5123
View this Journey on the Catalog and Apply Today!
Journey dates: October 20 to November 3, 2019. The cost of this Journey is $2100 USD and includes: FFI and host fees, flight from Curitiba to Foz do Iguaçu and from Foz do Iguaçu to Porto Alegre, tours, hotels, transportation, some meals, and tips.

United States e-flyer for March

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eFlyer: United States
The U.S. eFlyer is a place to find information about domestic Journeys within the United States, undersubscribed U.S. outbound Journeys, and occasional regional conferences and special events. The Journeys listed in the U.S. eFlyer are open to all ambassadors, representing some of the many places where you can experience new cultures and expand your global circle of friends.
Discover More

WANT TO EXPLORE MORE JOURNEYS? Click below to view our full catalog of available experiences.

March luncheon — Jeanne and Tom Elmhorst

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Helping families globally achieve the strength, stability and self-reliance they need to build a better life!
Meet Jeanne and Tom Elmhorst, two of our members who are members of Global Village Build sponsored by Habitat for Humanity and have participated in Global Village builds in Cambodia, Jordan, Bolivia, Portugal, Paraguay, Macedonia, Costa Rica and twice in Guatemala, three times in Nicaragua, a Thrivent Big Build in Vietnam, and Women’s Builds in Taos, NM. Come listen to how each one has opened their eyes to something new. They look forward to another build in Vietnam this fall with Jeanne serving as co-leader.
Jeanne was born and grew up in a small Wisconsin town about 60 miles west of Green Bay and Tom grew up in a similar hometown in western Wisconsin.
They met in 1969 after Tom returned from serving in Vietnam and married in 1971. Tom was a Teamster and drove semi-trucks; Jeanne taught high school for three years, then completed her Masters in Communication Studies.
They moved to Okinawa, Japan for three years and took advantage of every opportunity to travel, meet people and experience other cultures. Jeanne taught in a Department of Defense school and for University of Maryland. Tom taught Drivers-Ed and safety courses to various groups.
They adopted their first daughter from Korea and moved back to the US, choosing New Mexico for its weather, two interstates and cultures. Tom drove for Yellow Freight Company and Jeanne taught at CNM (TVI). They had four more children, also from Korea.
Their parenting adventures included spring break trips with their children’s church youth group to build 10’x20’ homes in Juarez. For several years Jeanne directed the Service Learning program at CNM, helping students learn their course contents while serving with community non-profits and this provided insights into community groups that would go on our “when I retire I want to volunteer with ..” list. In 2004, Jeanne and one of her adult daughters participated in a Carter Build in Veracruz, Mexico. Soon they learned about the myriad of places that Habitat for Humanity sponsored Global Village (GV) teams and they jumped in together to build in Nicaragua with a team from the US and Canada. They were hooked! Tom & Jeanne now enjoy volunteering at Roadrunner Food Bank and work with refugees and asylees through NM Faith Coalition for Immigrant Justice and Lutheran Family Service. Join us for an incredible presentation! Bring a guest! Please make your reservations no later than Tuesday, March 5, 2019 by calling or texting Berta Wagstaff at 710-4448 or emailing her at vets4vets@aol.com. PLACE: Ramada Midtown (formerly Hotel Eleganté )

ADDRESS: 2020 Menaul Blvd. NE

DATE: Saturday, March 9, 2019

TIME: 11:30 am

COST: $15.00 per person (Checks, made out to FFNM, are preferred)

NOTE: The Club must pay the hotel for all reservations. If you make a reservation and do not attend, you will be billed $15.00 for each reservation.

Berta Wagstaff

Membership Development Chair