Veu do Noiva-Bride's Veil Waterfall

Veu do Noiva, Standing 86m or 282 feet tall 

Bottom of the fall

The Spectaulor Veu do Noiva Waterfall located in the heart of Chapada dos Guimaares in the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil. Unfortunately visitors are not allowed to go down to the bottom of the fall for safety reasons. Although standing from atop is pretty impressive especially when an occasional group of Scarlet Macaws would fly over head.   

Jaboticaba Tree

Jaboticaba Tree bearing fruit

Jaboticaba Tree, before I ate all the fruit off of it.

Jaboticaba, fruit of the vine or in this case a fruit that grows on the bark of a tree. As far as I know this exotic fruit from Brazil, South America,  maybe the only fruit in all the world that grows on the bark and branches of the tree and not on the vine like most fruits do. No matter what the fruit is I'm always reminded when when I see fruit bearing tress about certain scripture in the Bible that talks about tress and fruit. Luke 6: 43 & 44  “A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit. ⁴⁴ A tree is identified by its fruit. And Verse 45 A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart. Gal 5:22 & 23 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! 
As Christians we are to produce good fruit in our lives. This is what I try to remind myself about everyday it all about Jesus.

Make a Joyful Nosie

Edgar, leading in song

Los Cinco Rumberos de Colombia, Playing for Change 

Armando pounding out the Rhythm  

The Bible is full of versus about music and the power of music especially in book of Psalms. The Bible also names the the first musician on earth; Jubal was his name found  in Genesis 4 vs.21. David is good example of using music for power as he was called upon by King Saul to play for him to drive a tormenting spirit away. So, music in a sense can be use in three different ways.  1.Good; to glorify God through Praise and and Worship and breaking down strongholds. 2.Evil; we see this everyday especially in today's modern music from pop to rock to rap. 3. Neutral; music that is not use for moral or immoral proposes like these guy's on the streets here in Bogota, Colombia just playing some traditional music that's designs to make you feel good and you go about your daily business.

Planaltina de Goiás

Me and my Best Friend.

Young mother with baby outside a class were they teach them how to be better mothers .

Bye for now and hope to see you soon!

They say, the best camera you have is the one you have with you at time. Such is the case in these photos. I didn't have time to grab my trusty 40D and speedlite so I had to make do with what I had...my ipad camera. Well, it actually was a good lesson for me in more ways than one. For one thing, at least I did have a camera with me and was still able to inter act with these kids and have fum with them, though I keep thinking I wish I had my regular camera with me. These photos are from kids who live in a poor community outside of Brasilia, Brazil called Planaltina. Where once a month a local church from Brasilia, goes and teaches them about God, prays for them, listens to their problems and distributes food to them. In Mark 10 vs 14 Jesus said "Let the children come to me. Don't stop them. For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. Amen. I guess I'll never grow up then.

The Savannas of Goiás

Sunset in the Cerrado

Typical Cerrado Tree against a Beautiful Sunset 

The Sunsets Slow in The Cerrado, Goias, Brazil. 

As the Sunsets on the Savannas in the State of Goiás, in Brazil, the heart of the Savannas or as they called it here "Cerrado." Here in the "Cerrado" the weather is always pleasant years round with a wet season ans a dry season. In a recent poll I took there was a 50/50 split on which people preferred the wet season or the dry season I for one was undecided. There are things about both season I like and dislike. The cerrado is not as recognized around the world as the Amazon, and I myself didn't know it existed until moving here almost two years ago. Well, gotta go now, it getting dark and the wildlife is starting to come out.

Natural Light Portraits

Young boy eating bread

Woman begging for money Puerto Salgar, Colombia

Sometimes, you don't always have your trusty speed-light with you and just have to go with what you got. The young boy in the top photo is a perfect example. Had I filled in his shadow side with flash I would have change the mood and look of the photo. With the woman below had I used a little fill flash I believe she would of slapped me upside my head seeing how she was only three feet from me and not in a very good mood.

Year in Review

Salome Ponce, me and Shuyan Ponce  near the Equator.

Playing to a group of school kids in Quito, Ecuador 

Iglesia La Vina, Quito, Ecuador 

One of the highlights for me in 2012 was a mission trip that I was honored  to be a part of  to Quito, Ecuador,  back in April of 2012.  The days were full of playing music and ministering in local schools and teaching music lessons (Drums) in the evening. Our host was a wonderful missioner Oscar Palma, and his family who are from Chile, but have been living and working in Quito, for a good number of years now. I'm always humbled to be with people with who are so dedicated to sever the Lord and spread to Gospel of peace. Many people sadly, especially in the US, chase after the wrong things in life and make Idols out Rock Stars, Politicians and Athletics etc. So, when people ask me who my heroes are I respond by saying " My heroes have always been missionaries" and  I will make the godly my heroes in land. No government policy or religion can change a persons heart only the message of salvation through Jesus Christ, the creator of all things and ruler of the entire universe can do that. Amen.

My Little Friend

Capuchin Monkey

Waiting for a Hand Out

While strolling through the Parque Nacional de Brasilia, I came across these curious Capuchin monkeys. Although you are asked not to feed them I believe that by the way they were following me around this is not the case. Also, as the park closes these little guy's can be seen raiding the trash cans around the park having a good time eating what they can find, and from what I understand they'll eat just about anything.

Colorful Architecture of Pirenópolis

 Some of the Local Homes that you'll see. 

Local Theater 

Colorful Little Cafe

Just some of the colorful architecture that you will see in the charming little town of Pirenópolis, Brazil, in  the state of Goiás. It's definitely a fun place to hang out and spent either an afternoon or weekend there, preferably a weekend as there always seems to be something going there from Music Festivals to Gastronomic Festival, Photography Festival  each of which attract hundreds of visitors. During the day for the most part the town is fairly quite but at night it really comes to life

Igreja de Nosso Senhor do Bonfim

Igreja de Nosso Senhor do Bonfim

I must say I like the name of this church Igreja de Nosso Senhor do Bonfim or  Our Lord of Good Ending in Pirenópolis, Brazil,  just a short drive from Brasilia, and worth the trip. For such a small town it has lot's of interesting things to see and photograph.

Road that leads to Bonfim

Beautiful Falls

Itiquira Falls

Another smaller waterfall while walking along the tranquil path at Itiquira Falls outside of Brasilia, Brazil. I basically had the place to myself which made it easier to photograph, and because there was no one in my way I could take my time, seeing how some of theses exposures took as much as 8 seconds to capture

The Equator

Middle of the World

Well, I always wonder what the Equator looks like and know I know. It's a white line with a red line in the middle. They say it dons't rain much at the Equator but it did this day which may have been a blessing, although he temperature hardly ever gets above 75 degrees it feels hotter and you can burn more easily.

Elevation 9100 ft at the Pululahua Crater

Quito

Quito,Ecuador

Quito,Ecuador

My first impression of Quito, is wow! This is a magnificent city and I'm looking forward to exploring it some more and meeting the local people of Ecuador. I've said this before many times that no matter how beautiful a city is it's the people that make it great.

Iguazu Falls at Night

A 62 second Exposure of Iguazu at Night

This photo was taken in practically total darkness. My point, without light there is no photography. Without the Light of the World there is no hope.
"From the time the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky and all that God made. They can clearly see his invisible qualities his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse whatsoever for not knowing God." Romans 1vs20 TLB

Pelourinho by Night

Plaza Municipal

Orden Tercera de Sao Domingos

As night descends on the city and the lights began to come on it changes the whole vibe of  Pelourinho. It becomes more festive as local food vendors set up little table and chairs in the plaza so customer can enjoy the view of the old building all lit up.

Busy Streets

Man carrying a heavy piece of metal

Brazilian Tourist

Local  Street Vendors eating lunch. 

All big cities seem to have a certain rhythm to them as you walk the streets or drive around. Shop owners waiting for customers tourist wandering around looking for cool or unusual thing to buy and so on. Photos taken in the Pelourinho section of Salvador Bahia, Brazil.

That Time of the Year

Cerro de Monserrate

Santa

Well, its getting close to that time of year. My first Christmas out of the USA, in many years. Here in South America, there's no ACLU, so everyone has the Christmas spirit no interference from the left kicking and screaming like babies. Photos taken in Bogota, Colombia.

Lonely Mother

I thought this young woman looked so sad and lonely as she was walking down the street carrying her baby. To me, she looks like she still might even be a teenager which is not that uncommon in this part of the world.
Photo taken in Salvador Bahia, Brazil.

Family making Jewelry to Sale

Mom still working

It's always hard to see little kids on the streets. Kids at this age should be having fun playing with there friends. At least this guy has a mother and father and it looks like there trying hard as there putting together some home made jewelry to sale. Salvador Bahia, Brazil

Playing for Change

Little Fernando and his assortment of instruments. 

Hold it right there! Photo taken with Blackberry 

Okay, I'll play one song with you. Photo taken with Blackberry

This little guy makes more money than I do playing for change on streets of Pelourinho, in Salvador Bahia.