Coqueiral

    Yesterday I was invited to the home of a local businessman for a time of fellowship, and, of course, eating.  I have been very confused about Brazilian eating habits. Apparently they have four or five smaller meals during the day rather than the three larger meals which are customary in the US. My system- both physical and mental- is adjusting to this new reality. My new friend has three children, two of whom are high school age girls. He exhorted them to speak English with me but they were shy. After they heard my broken Portuguese for awhile they decided that they should help me. Their English is better than my Portuguese.
    He showed me three books that he was reading- all originally in English- but translated into Portuguese. One was on prayer and fasting, another on apologetics, and a third on the ministry of apostles and prophets. We also watched the end of the Italy-Spain semi-final Confederation Cup game. The regular game ended in a tie of 0-0. So they have a series of shots with one player alone opposing the goalie from a short distance. Each team made five shots in a row but Italy missed the final try so Spain will face Brazil in the finals.
    We then went to a gathering at the house of Marcos, a friend that i made my last time in Brazil. He is a dear heart- for Christ and His people. He facilitated our worship, and also translated for me. Originally I thought I should teach on the difference between the Old and New covenants but in mid-afternoon I sensed the Holy Spirit changing my direction to speak about money from a Biblical perspective. He led me to talk about the influence of the world in our lives through money and the importance of living a sacrificial, simple life. At one point, to my surprise, I said, " The church in Brazil will complete the work of preaching the gospel to the whole world." I did not intend to say this but believe it could be prophetic. One brother immediately spoke, glorifying God in agreement. Of course God is working powerfully in countries like China also.
     Then I asked a brother Gilberto if he wished to speak. He is a seasoned veteran of the Cross with a powerful prophetic gifting. He is in his seventies, and his health is not good, but the power of the Holy Spirit broke out through him as we prayed for many people, and some in particular. May God receive all the glory through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

Proverbs 31

Proverbs 31:10-31 gives an extensive description of God's view of femininity, she is called a virtuous woman or a wife of noble character. Of course the description of one who serves and gives is in complete opposition to current feminist ideals but this is the reality of the world we live in. There are two Kingdoms- the kingdom of light and the kingdom of darkness. While staying in Carangola at the house of my friend MA, I experienced the reality of the Proverbs 31 woman. MA's wife Cida is an excellent example of this. She speaks no English so our communication was limited to my Portuguese and MA's intervention but she worked very hard to serve me, an American with whom she really has nothing in common except Christ. God has blessed MA abundantly with such a loving woman. May God bless her for the kindness and generosity given to me.
     Last night my friends Gilmar, Ana, and Marcos took me to a home gathering in Aracruz. There were about twenty-five people including children- less affluent, a little shy- but Marcos translated and i was able to talk about the ministry of the Holy Spirit in revealing the Word of God to us. The verses or passages that I used were John 14:26, 16:13, 17:17, 1 Corinthians 2:12-13, Hebrews 4:12, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, and the related passages of 2 Peter 1:16-21, and Matthew 17:1-8. The listeners ranged from those who cannot read to a man who- through Marcos- asked me very detailed questions about the Matthew 17 passage, which God helped me to respond too. Very thankful for the opportunity to give something of what God has given to me over the years.

Projeito ( Project)

At the present time i am staying with a couple named Gilmar & Ana who live in a bairro (district or neighborhood) of Aracruz. They are in the process of building the equivalent of an in-law apartment on their relatively small property using the skill and labor of one of the brothers in the church. I asked was the purpose of this to rent it out? Gilmar said no- it was for visiting brethren to use- something like the prophet's room that Elisha has in 2 Kings 4. I wished that i saw more of these basic principles- using fellow believers for work projects, and making preparations for hospitality- in the US.
    This morning I experienced yet another contrast. We went out a dirt road about 2.5 miles in length to a ministry for recovering drug addicts. There is one basic building- old- with some electricity. The brother responsible for this ministry- Fabio- showed me around and explained the operation to me. Twenty-four men live there, with three to six to a room. Each has a cot type bed and a few personal possessions reminding me of my early days in the Jesus People Movement of the early 1970's. They cook with sticks gathered off the ground. Imagine cooking all day for that many guys without other forms of energy.
   There is a schedule of prayer, Bible reading, meals, and work periods where the men tend to pimenta (pepper) plants, I'd guess two acres. I saw one old car, and a couple of dogs. Fabio explained that their total expenses for a given month is 3,400 Brazilian Reals. At the current exchange rate of one dollar = 2:25 reais that works out to just over two dollars per day per man. I asked whether they received offerings from churches. He replied, " Many make promises but promises don't fill our bellies. Then he quoted the verse from James 2:26, "Faith without works is dead.
   I was invited to preach, basically without translation although Gilmar read the verses in Portuguese. It forces me to keep things simple and direct, which is probably the best way. I gave a little of my testimony including exhortations to receive the love of God and to read His Word. Afterwards I asked Fabio whether all the men had Bibles. Some are converts and some are not. He said three did not have so today I bought Bibles to give them.
    Afterwards Gilmar and his wife Ana treated me to a Brazilian buffet lunch. The early afternoon meal is typically the largest of the day, and there are many choices. We went at a busy time and i could not help contrasting the well dressed people shelling out enough money for one meal as could feed one of Fabio's guys for a week. I hope to see more of Fabio's side of Brazil. By the grace of God I also want to help

To Aracruz

Brazil is a land of contrasts. Outside most homes it appears typical third world but when you enter some houses you find technology that i, admittedly not a tech guy, have never seen. The night before last i stayed at the home of a banker and his wife. They had modern exercise equipment, TV, something that looked like a large pen, which when you pointed the end of it at text, read in English. Then you go outside and see a hybrid vehicle with a small motorbike in the front and a cart type contraption on the back from which a guy is delivering things.
    As we drove from Carangola to Aracruz, a six plus hour drive we passed by everything from women carrying babies to a guy with a wheelbarrow to bicycles, horse drawn carts, and a lot of very slow trucks laboring at fifteen or twenty miles an hour to ancient vehicles to modern cars capable of 100 MPH (160KPH). All share the same country road with one lane per side. Almost always one is behind a slower vehicle, usually a truck that is almost impossible to pass on curving mountain roads. On the rare occasions when there is a minute or two of free space in front Brazilian drivers let it rip but every wide place in the road has many speed bumps and/or electronic surveillance.
    We finally arrived in Aracruz. When i woke up from a nap my new host was speaking with a young man. Neither speak more than a few words of English, and i find myself explaining the message of the gospel to a guy i have never met in a language that i really don't know. I start using kitchen items to illustrate my points visually, and open the Bible and have him read in Portuguese. At least the verses are in the same location in different languages. He was receptive and we ended up praying for him. May God deliver Cristiano

Carangola (2)

Yesterday I had fellowship (communhao) with the saints in Carangola. We went to the home of a banker who is trying to learn English. About thirty-five people came- little kids learning to walk, older kids playing soccer in the back yard, and the famous Brazilian barbeque. i am overwhelmed with the hospitality that I am receiving. It is like i woke up one day to discover that i had been crowned a king. In Christ we are all kings and priests. (Revelation 1:5-6) People keep bringing me things and giving me things. I am asking God for an oppurtunity to give to those who really need them. My friend MA keeps asking me to pray and address people publicly in Portuguese even though my command of the languaqge is on about the two year old level. I prayed for two young brothers who are starting to walk with Christ. My friend Jefferson labored with the barbeque for hours. The Brazilians cook different types of meat, cut it into little pieces, put these on a plate, and then one or more people circulate handing these out. This goes on for hours along with all kinds of other food. I am a big guy, and i know the word for satisfied or enough. I say this to one person and another drops something else on my plate.
    In the later evening we went to Jefferson's house (I think he and his wife Marcia love to cook)and we had another meal. A young brother sitting on my left asked me about the "Great Commision" passage at the end of Matthew 28. Now remember i really can't speak Portuguese and none of these people speak English except my friend MA who is learning. I begin to share my heart on the subject of discipleship. A little while later i looked up and about eight or nine people sitting at the table are listening with rapt attention in a way that i just don't find in the US. I can't imagine American Christians glued to someone who is stumbling through English with a strong foreign accent. I have trouble finding the verb to use let alone the correct tense. But these people listened to me for at least an hour. Towards the end i gave them a little English lesson- to say that Jesus is Lord. I don't think they have rd sound at the end of the word "Lord" in Portuguese but they worked at it diligently. They are also trying to teach me their dialect, called Minerais. What little Portuguese i know is very stilted and formal. They use a word that sounds like the English word "train" to mean thing as in  "That's a good thing." But the word i learned is "coisa". completely different.
     Afterwards they prayed for me on a very personal subject and washed my feet. (See John 13 if you are unfamiliar with this.) They do this differently than i have seen it done in the US. They put your feet in a basin after the socks and shoes are removed. Then they pour/push water over your feet without soap. I have huge feet  ( 13EEE) and three brothers did this together. Afterwards MA's wife, a dear sister who is trying incredibly hard to serve me said  "Your shoe is big enough to be my bed."  It took me a minute to get it but when I did i thought it was outrageously funny.

Manhuacu

Manhuacu is an indigenous name for "Big River," not to be confused with a smaller city with a similar name which means "Little River." I could not tell the difference. Anyway yesterday was driven about an hour and a half from Carangola to Manhuacu, a distance of 77 kilometros, just under fifty miles. ( 5 miles = 8 kilometers) The road is like a winding country road that goes through the middle of little towns and has innumerable speed bumps. They are different than in the US, coming in a series of five narrow ones. The Brazilian phrase for these translates to "break suspension." They are aggravating but my friend tells me they are the only way to slow down Brazilian drivers.
     As usual I did not know what to expect but was praying for someone with the ability to translate. Thank God i was met by a young woman named Juliana with that ability and the willingness to help. My friend MA spoke first, mostly about how he met me in Germany. During the worship a middle aged woman came up  and asked me to read a verse in 1 Timothy 2 in Portuguese. How she thought i could do this i don,t know. She said that if i read it i would receive a present. Later she gave me a brand new Bible. Now what is odd about this is that i had spoken about my desire to get a  bible in Portuguese rather than English and Portuguese with a couple of married friends in a different city in another state. We had discussed the details at some length- big print, word for word etc. So this woman whom i don't know gave me a Bible with the exact specifications that i had wanted. Amazing.
   I have continued to ask the Lord about the ongoing unrest in Brazil. I don't know the people in Manhuacu so am completely dependent on the Lord for what to say. He directed me to speak about His heart for the poor. Earlier that day i had read about conditions in the city of Fortaleza, one of the largest and poorest in Brazil, which is currently hosting part of the Confederation Cup, a warm-up to the World Cup next year. I read about many people who live on the equivalent of one dollar a day.
    So I shared the Word with several hundred people on this subject using the following verses: John 12:8, cf. Mark 14:7, Matthew 26:11, Galatians 2:10, James 2:14-16, 1 John 3:16-18, Luke 12:32-34 & the most powerful of all Matthew 25:31-46. Apparently the Lord touched a number of hearts.

Carangola

    Thursday night I thought i heard that i would be leaving for Carangola, the next place on my itinerary, first thing in the morning. That was my misunderstanding of what my hostess had said in Portuguese. In reality we did not leave until after one in the afternoon. So I took a walk, a shower, watched my amazingly skilled host fixing the garage door electrical system, and had breakfast. M. A. & his wife Cida arrived in early afternoon. I had met him in Germany last October. Hid took us to a natural food buffett- very nice- and then we were off. MA had borrowed a late model Honda sedan, in which I was able to put the seat all the way back. Carangola is in the state of Minas Gerais, and it took about six hours to get there. Tough on the back but had good fellowship with MA. He is learning English, and is a bit ahead of me in learning another language. We had some good, halting conversation. He told me about a dream that he had many years before, long before he had started to learn English or to travel to any other country. He dreamed that he would be speaking English with someone whom he would take to his house. Apparently i was the fulfillment of the dream.
    We arrived at Carangola at night. It is a smaller city of about 45,000 people nestled in a valley surrounded by higher peaks with old cobblestone, often steep streets. I thought we were going to dinner at the home of a brother named Jefferson, and his sons Mateus and Davi, (Matthew and David) all of whom I met on my first visit. This did not happen right away so i had something to eat at 8, well after my normal dining time. Eventually Jefferson and Mateus, a new driver, came. Mateus had a challenge working a stick shift  on such steep streets but we got there. I was introduced to a number of people, and eventually it dawned on me that this was a home group meeting. More people came to fill the living room, and my friend MA was the only one who spoke any English. A three year old can speak better Portuguese than i can so it was like falling into a flooding river when MA asked me to share from the word... in Portuguese. I tried, and at least could ask people to read the passages in Portuguese but i had not realized that i would be asked to teach, and in another language. They were very patient with me.
    On the way back MA stopped for food he had ordered- we had snacks at Jefferson's home as well- and he headed for his house. The entrance to his street, and many others, is very narrow... and was blocked by a horse. The house is not in the country but there were six horses picking at little tufts of grass on his very short street. Needless to say we ate too and finished about one in the morning. They were still wired but i was exhausted.
     In the morning MA, his nine year old son Felipe and i went for a walk... up a very steep hill that provided an excellent vista of the city and environs. There is a television tower at the top shaped in the form of a cross. I'm told that when it was erected in 1960 the townspeople placed their Catholic priest on top of a cross and carried it on their shoulders up this same hill. I hope he was a small man.Sadly fifty some years later the top of the hill is used for witchcraft. As MA and i approached the peak we began to pray. Once we reached the top we had a powerful time of prayer claiming the hill, the city, the region, the state and the country of Brazil for the kingdom of God. We prayed over Felipe that he would remember this day. This is the most anointed time i have had in the Spirit of God since my arrival.

Carros & other Observations

     Carro  (pronounced something like ka-ho) is the word for car in Brazilian Portuguese. Brazil imports all of its new cars, many from France - Renault, Citroen, Peugeot, and Fiat from Italy. I don't see that many American made, more Fords than Chevys, and not that many Japanese cars as in the US. Almost all cars are small. Occasionally I see a more expensive or larger vehicle. Most fascinating are the large number of VW busses and bugs from the 70's which brings back memories of my young adulthood.
     Many people live in ten to twenty story apartment/condominium buildings located adjacent to one another. Nice buildings exist right next to battered old buildings. I hear and see a lot of construction. But most of the sidewalks are filled un unrepaired holes and damage.
   As I walk along the boardwalk by the beach I must stick out like a sore thumb- too tall, too pale & yesterday one of the few people wearing sunglasses. Today as I walked to the beach I passed by many busses stalled in traffic, the passengers mostly women on their way to work. Once at the beach I passed by two open sided little tents in which people were receiving a massage. Many people set up either semi-permanent or temporary "barracas" in which to sell various items. Perhaps most interesting are those with coconuts. If you want a drink they hack off one end with a machete and give you a straw.
     Last night i received an opportunity to share the Word of God will a home group on the theme of being aliens and strangers in this world. It was particularly relevant to the audience because of the current protests in Brazil. I have read that the average income of a Brazilian is 29% of an American, and when i went to the grocery store to pick up two normal food items, my cost included tax of 33%. No wonder people are upset. I was very pleased to see how they received the message even when we looked at passages concerning obeying the laws and paying taxes. The proof of this was a number of people asking me for the Biblical references that I used- something i rarely experience in the US.
     My translator was a young woman named Rebekah. It was her first time translating and she did a good job. Over time i have learned to speak slowly, clearly, and not to use slang or try to make jokes, which are usually untranslatable.
   Interesting male Brazilian first names:  Gladstone and Wellington

Brazilian Observations and Adventures

     Yesterday I went walking along the beach by myself. Usually I am always with people. One sees very few domestic dogs in Brazil, and most are very small. As I went about eight in the morning there were quite a few fellow walkers, some with their pets.
     Later that day we took a trip to Guarapari, a small beach town south of Vitoria that is popular with tourists from colder countries in season. The road was probably the best I' ve seen in Brazil with two lanes each way with a center divider. We drove through verdant hills, past saltwater lagoons, and saw a number of cows and a few horses. We ate at a type of restaurant where like a buffet where you pay by the weight of the food. The plates are substantial so I suspect the owners are padding the price.
    Later in the afternoon we visited an older couple, 86 and 83, sprightly, alert people. They have a little enclosed house with a side garden area with several fruit trees. Brazil grows a number of fruits and vegetables that the US does not. I had pumpkin soup for the first time that night.Unfortunately I prefer my fruits as juice. At one point one of my friends suggested that I take a nap in something that sounded like "hedgie." This turned out to be a hammock.
    This morning I went to the dentist. She spoke no English and I very little Portuguese so I certainly did not know how to answer technical dental questions. It was an adventure.
    Brazilian homes are not filled with knickknacks like American houses. Usually there is very little on the walls or elsewhere. They have regular furniture and photos. What they do have is elaborate security systems both physical and electronic. God is good.

Citizens of Heaven

As I write Brazil is experiencing a unusual amount of civil unrest that began about two years ago but has accelerated in the last week. As i understand it the issues center around corruption, poor health care, public education, and a rise in bus fares. About seventy percent of Brazilians are considered poor, about eighty-five percent are urban dwellers, and only about fifteen or twenty percent own cars. Most depend on public transportation.
    Last night as i was working on the computer i started to hear a lot of noise- car horns, air horns, chanting, and a lot of people yelling. Brazilians are fanatical about soccer ( futebol). It is like all the professional sports in the US rolled up into one. So i assumed that the ruckus had something to do with the Confederation Cup, a soccer series which is the warm-up for the World Cup in which most of the countries of the world vie for dominance, held every four years. Brazil will host this next year for the first time in half a century.
    However, Licia, one of the adult daughters of the family with which i am staying in a small city north of Rio de Janeiro, said it was protests. The house is only a block and a half from the principal street of the city, and close to the terminus of a bridge which links it with the other main city of the region.
Sometime later another daughter, a university student, came in with half a dozen friends, people from the church who had been involved or swept up in the protests. She was shaken up and the three of us spoke for some time about her experience.
   Several days earlier a young brother named Juan had asked me my thoughts about the situation. At the time I had little knowledge and had not thought about it. As I have reflected the following has come to me. Because of sinful human nature there is corruption in every earthly society. Every human government reflects the underlying rebellion against God. While recognizing that many Christians over time have felt impelled to get involved in social and political issues of their days, I question if this reflects New Testament revelation.
     Philippians 3:20 refers to believers as citizens of heaven. Hebrews 11:13-16 speaks of Abraham and others who wandered the earth seeking a heavenly country. They are spoken of as foreigners and strangers. 1 Peter 2:11 uses the same language to speak of believers as aliens and strangers. Disciples of Christ live in this world but are not of it. We are ambassadors ( 2 Corinthians 5) of another Kingdom, that of God.
    While we are in this world, we are urged to submit to the authorities because they have been established by God. Romans 13:1-7 are clear on this point, and 1 Peter 2: 13-17 back this up. Even Jesus makes this clear when in Matthew 17:24ff  He says to render to Caesar what is his and to God what is His.
    Brethren consider that the government that the apostles Peter and Paul wrote believers to submit to was that of the Roman Empire under the Emperor Nero (reigned 54-68 AD). Nero was a meglomaniac who in later years martyred Christians, (most likely Peter and Paul) in at least one case using them as human torches to illuminate orgies at night. Very few people were citizens and rights as we might understand them in the 21st Century were non-existent. Yet the Holy Spirit reveals through the inspired writers to submit to this ungodly government. Let us not expend our energies to change temporary, worldly things. Rather let us preach the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ which promises eternal life.

Compartilhar\ Sharing

Compartilhar is a Portuguese word for sharing and is often used when one is teaching the Word of God. Saturday evening the church in Vitoria gathered. We had a time of worship, testimonies and I shared about the ultimate purpose of God, which is that He be glorified. We took a tour of the Bible on this subject including the following verses: Isaiah 43:7, 48:11, Habakkuk 2:14, John 16:14, 17:1-5 (the beginning of the longest recorded prayer of Jesus in the New Testament), Romans 16:27, 1 Corinthians 10:31, Philippians 2:5-11, 4:20, 1 Timothy 1:17. 2 Timothy 4:18, Hebrews 13: 20-21 & a little application using 1 Peter 4:10-11. Major themes were that glorifying God is eternal, and that the Persons of the Trinity do this with one another, and that this is why we were created- why all of creation was made.
    As the car in which i arrived was being parked, i asked Asaph if he could ask the worship team to play a particular song, my favorite Brazilian worship song, based on Romans 11:36.  "For from him and through him and to him are all things. To Him be the glory forever! Amen." As we walked into the building I was delighted to hear that they were playing that very song.
     After the teaching, we had a prayer vigil that lasted well into the next morning. Prior to the meeting i was informed that i would be staying at a home in a neighboring city that night instead of the next. I had about five minutes to pack. This is a good example of the need for flexibility.
    My new hosts, Hid & Clemmi, welcomed me warmly, even at 3 in the morning. The next day Hid & I took a walk along the praia (beach) He was born in the town and remembered when most of it was just trees. That evening we went to a meeting in Vilha Velha where i was asked to share again. My translator was a fervent young woman named Susanna, who had lived in the US as a child. Due to conversations i had with people in the previous week I felt led to share on spiritual formation, and in particular the crucial importance of the love of God and the truth of His word.  I used fewer verses that included Galatians 4:19, Ephesians 2:1-9, Proverbs 5:14, and Romans 8:9-11. I used more of my testimony.
   This morning I was taught a Portuguese worship song, and received an extensive lesson in the language. God is faithful.

Opportunities & Itinerary

Thursday night i was asked to share with a group of house church leaders. The Lord Jesus led me to the theme of teaching the Word of God on a regular basis. We looked at such verses as 1 Tim 3:1, Titus 1:9, 1 Tim. 4:6, 4:11, 4:16, 5:17, 2 Tim. 2:2, 2:24, 3:16-17, 2 Tim 4:1ff, Titus 2:15, Colossians 1:28, 3:16. The brothers were receptive and I actually made a joke in Portuguese. By His grace translation was provided but I am understanding more. We also looked at the role of the Holy Spirit in revealing the Word and teaching it to us.
    For those with a inclination and a map of Brazil I should visit the following places.  Vitoria, in Espirito Santu, Carangola & Manahuacu in minas Gerais, Aracruz coquieral in ES, Porto Alegre in the south, Bahia, Natal, Brasilia, and possibly Rio de janeiro.
    Just returned from a wonderful time with some young believers. One sister has organized a weekly class in English to help others who are learning the language. The class focusses on Biblical themes and ideas using immersion in English. I wish I could do this every week with them.  As Brazil is currently experiencing some major riots and protests over the rise of bus fares, which most people depend upon, we looked at the passage in romans 13 dealing with obedience to civil authorities.  We also saw a short video about church planting in Ethiopia. Thanks, Susanna.
    Last night went to a home with a number of other believers and heard the testimony and saw the photos of another sister who had recently traveled to Egypt and jordan.  After having learned Portuguese, Spanish, English and a little Dari, she is now working on Arabic. Some people just have the gift.
 

Massa

   Yesterday was the Brazilian equivalent of Valentine's Day in Brazil. This may seem odd because we are in mid-June instead of mid- February but it is their winter season because Brazil is below the Equator.  In Portuguese it is called O Dia dos Namadoros.
   Yesterday I also received another lesson in Portuguese. My tutor brought a cookbook of Italian recipes (she is of Italian descent as are many Brazilians) in Portuguese. I leafed through it and found a word that I had heard before in a different context. She knows some English but we stick to Portuguese for immersion. So I asked her what this word "massa" meant.  I had heard it meant very good.  She pointed to a bowl of pasta.  I said, "Massa" means "pasta?" Yes. "So if something is very good you say "pasta," and she started laughing.
    In the evening i was invited to the home of a family whom I had met both in Brazil on my first trip and also lated in the US. They served me "mulkekka," a regional fish stew speciality. Only one speaks English well, and some not at all. After the meal Clemmi asked me to give my testimony... in Portuguese. This was quite an adventure. They had the patience of Job ( James 5:11)to listen as I stumbled along, murdering their language along the way
    Sometimes I think I am still young. A few days in the Acadamia (gym/fitness center) this week have persuaded me otherwise.
    Further evidence of cultural differences is the fact that in the entire house in which I am currently staying there is only one clock, and that is part of the microwave. It is a tangible reminder that Brazilians are not nearly as concerned with time/punctuality as are Americans.
    Have been offered some great ministry opportunities to discuss in future posts.

Cachoeiro

Cachoeiro is a small town about two hours away from Vitoria, Brazil.  Vinci, Samia, Asaph, Karen & I left Saturday morning to go there. My friend Vinci missed his true calling of race car driver so I'm sure we got there in record time.
    On the way he gave a testimony. I had quite a few X-rays taken for dental work the first afternoon of my visit. While this was happening, he spoke to the receptionist, who rededicated her life to the Lord.
    Upon arrival we went to the home of Vasni and Miria. Their two young adult daughters served us a great meal, and we had good fellowship. One of the ideas of my going to Brazil was to have immersion in Portuguese.  Except for those with whom I traveled none of the people I met in Cachoeiro had more than a couple words of English. I can say basic things like "What time is it? Where is the bathroom? Do you have children?" but unless people speak at turtle speed I understand very little. So it was an interesting experience. I stayed at the home of a couple named Arildo and Nilza. He is an agronomist. At one point he mentioned a connection with Purdue but I didn't catch it because of his pronunciation.
    Flexibility is key because i am not used to staying up late. I am learning to take a nap and to eat slowly because there is always more food coming. Sunday evening had an opportunity to speak at the church. Gave my testimony of how Jesus has shown his love and truth to me.
   special note to my friend and faithful reader, Rob A. I didn't know this but Vinci has started a Christian motorcycle club. He has a classic "hog." It took awhile to explain what that means. We have to get you down here, bro. You would have a blast.

Arrival in Brazil

     Traveling does not seem to get any easier. My friend Sanford drove me two hours to the airport in Boston. Then I went through all the lines and waited several hours for my first flight. Because it was a smaller plane we did not have priority. We spent more time on the ground than we did in the air. Landed in New york and took a long shuttle bus ride to a different terminal. Many people checked to see if my passport and visa were current. This plane to Sao Paulo, Brazil was supposed to leave at 10:45. We probably departed about midnight. The captain spoke periodically to give various reasons why we were not leaving. I became very thankful that I had almost three hours time between the end of this flight and the next one.
     I am too tall and large to fit into airline seats. I am like a sardine in a can. So there are advantages to being a smaller person. In theory one sleeps on an overnight flight and it seems that most of my fellow passengers succeeded. I did not. I was in a group of two seats. I had the aisle seat. The woman next to me asked if we could switch. I agreed to my detriment. At least with the aisle seat one has a little more room.  One other tip. Bring a little food with you because your eating times will be unknown.
    we landed in Sao Paulo, which is a larger airport than in Rio de Janeiro, the next largest city, although not nearly as big as a typical American airport. My Portuguese is limited as is the English of most airline employees but went through customs with no problems, finally found the right ticket counter, handed off my luggage, wandered around in search of the correct departure gate. Again, thankfully had enough of a layover.
    Brazilians are very friendly. The steward offered me a better seat, and asked if I wanted him to speak in English or Portuguese. The reality is that as soon as I open my mouth, even one or two words, they know I am not Brazilian. I almost lost my backpack but he got it for me.
   On the trip I spoke with a young Hispanic man named Marcos. His Portuguese was better than mine but slow enough for me to get the idea.  Landed in Vitoria about two-thirty in the afternoon, met my friends Vinci and Valeska, and then went straight to the dentist. They took many X-rays. finally we came to the house, had a meal, a little rest. In the evening went on a constitutional with Vinci, came home, took a shower and finally a good night's sleep.
     Today had my first Portuguese lesson. tomorrow we go to a different city.

Pre- Departure Thoughts

     "The Lord has established His throne in heaven, and His kingdom rules over all." (Psalm 103:19) Almost everything that God has created does His will completely, without hesitation. Birds fly, fish swim, the sun gives forth its heat. Rain falls, waves wash up on beaches, and streams flow. Even the angels, "who excel in strength... do His word." (Ps. 103:20 NKJV)  The only parts of the creation who rebel and disobey God are humans... and demons.
     On another note, I was first exposed to the ascension gifts listed in Ephesians 4:11 four decades ago. Using the building analogy of Paul the apostle beginning in 1 Corinthians 3:10 one could potentially understand the nature of these gifts in the following way. The kingdom of God is like a building and all believers are working to construct it. The evangelist recruits more workers. The teacher instructs them how to build. The pastor concerns himself with morale, with the injured and the weary. The prophet knows the biblical specifications, points out if the workers deviate from it. The apostle presents the grand vision for the building, and helps the different foremen (elders) to work together. The deacons insure that all the necessary materials are ready for construction. Everyone encourages one another in the project.
   Would appreciate prayer from readers in ongoing efforts to learn Portuguese.
"You are my portion, o Lord." ( Ps. 119:57a)

Sending Out

     In Acts 13, beginning with verse one we read the following: "Now in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, 'Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them. Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away."
     This passage is a basis for the practice of sending out people by prayer, fasting, and the laying on of hands from the church into itinerant ministry. The Holy Spirit told the church at Antioch to give up two of their five prophets and teachers. Now Antioch was the third largest city in the Roman Empire at the time about half a million people. What if either the church or Barnabas and Saul had disobeyed? The Holy Spirit was calling them to what is known as the first missionary journey of Paul. Antioch was his "home" church, his base of operations to which he returned after each of the subsequent missionary journeys. If they had disobeyed we would not have the gospel preached, many churches planted, God glorified, and the epistles that went out to the churches afterwards.
     In the same way we as individuals need to be ready to heed the command of the Spirit, and as congregations to be ready to send people out for the work of the ministry. i am very thankful to the brethren of the church where I live for their praying for and sending me out last night for my summer in Brazil. I do not go as a tourist but rather to learn, serve and give to the brethren there. May the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ receive glory.