October 26, 2006

Creative Brazilians

On Tuesday, Brazil celebrated the centenial of the greatest accomplishment of one of her favorite sons. On October 23rd, 1906, Alberto Santos Dumont flew a heavier than air craft (christened the 14 Bis) in Paris France.

Display in the local mall, celebrating the life of Santos Dumont.

Today this space will not be used to fuel the ongoing debate as to whether Santos Dumont invented the airplane, or whether it was the Wright Brothers, who flew in 1903. (for you Americans reading this--simple math does not resolve the issue. Believe me. I have tried.) Instead, I want to celebrate the creativity of a couple God has brought into our lives.

The above picture is of Cicero. He is standing next to a model of the Demoiselle--the second plane Santos Dumont flew. Cicero made the model. Along with just about everything else in the display.

Like this gyrocopter...

...and this model of a US Army plane...

...as well as this full-sized representation of a cockpit dashboard--which is compatable with a popular flight-simulation program.

This is Cícero and Anice with another model they made...this one for the Cidade Feliz puppet program. This couple heard about the puppet ministry we had at the seminary years ago, and decided to start one on their own. With their usual dedication to quality and precision, they worked for a couple years with their church. When Itacyara and I arrived, we went to see them and were very impressed with the work they were doing. It was only natural, therefore, that we teamed up with them when the opportunity for the TV show presented itself. God put them in just the right place at just the right time.

Posted by Andrew on October 26, 2006 10:55 PM.