After my summer in Brazil, i began the journey home about 1:15 in the afternoon, local time. (Coastal Brazil is one hour ahead of Eastern Standard Time) A brother named Paulo picked me up in his Toyota Corolla and took me to the airport about twenty minutes away. He does not speak English. After a summer of immersion I can have a slow, basic conversation in Portuguese but i miss the details. He made sure that I was all set- fortunately the young woman at the counter spoke English- not a given. I waited in the lounge for some friends but due to my lack of tech skills i wasn't sure if anyone was coming and i was concerned about missing the plane.
The first flight to Sao Paulo was about one hour and twenty minutes flying time. Brazilian stewards or stewardesses tend to be much younger than their American counterparts. Sao Paulo is by far the largest metropolitan area in the country but i searched in vain for any place that might sell a newspaper or books. I had seen such a store in the Vitoria airport whose population is 1/25th of Sao Paulo's but thought i have more time (six and a half hours) in Sao Paulo to wait. Going through customs took an hour because of the number of people waiting and the few people working. All of the customs people that i saw were attractive young women in uniforms and not a gun in sight. In contrast the American customs agents were men with a gun each.
So I waited a long time in the SP airport, ate some unpleasant food, and finally boarded about 10:30 at night. Thankfully my friend Wanderley had blessed me with a upgraded seat with additional legroom plus there was no one sitting next to me which made the eleven hour flight easier. Going through US customs was quicker and more efficient. Had a nice long walk through the airport to the departure area of the flight to Boston. Every seat was filled on this one so i am thankful that it was only two hours. Arrived at noon and my friend Sanford picked me up for the 2 hour drive to our house. Arrived about 2 in the afternoon, unpacked and took a nap as I don't have the ability to sleep on planes.
Two things that i could not find in Brazil were chocolate chip cookies and peanut butter. ( They have peanuts). Thank you, God, for safe travels.
Friday, August 30, 2013
Monday, August 26, 2013
Reino de Deus ( Kingdom of God)
As E. T. (in a previous post some weeks ago I explained how a young Brazilian friend of mine had compared me to the movie character ET because i am so foreign in Brazil- i thought this was very funny) prepares to return home, I find myself reflecting on what God has done in my life these past three months. Several days of rather intense travel await me so i may not post again until the end of the week.
Probably the most important thing that I have experienced is the pages of the New Testament actually being lived out in the lives of both individuals and groups, small and large, in a way that I have rarely, if ever, seen in the US. Again and again and again i have witnessed and received people doing what the Bible says. during my almost three months I have visited dozens of churches (groups) in five separate states and the Federal District ( like washington, DC), and interacted with hundreds of different people. I have stayed at fourteen different houses (some more than once) and spoken both one on one and in groups repeatedly. I have experienced hospitality, generosity and kindness on a scale unprecedented in my forty-two years of Christian life.
The common denominator to all of this is something that all of these different people and groups refer to as the kingdom of God. The foundations of this are as follows:
Jesus Christ as Lord, not just Savior (Romans 10:9)
Obeying His command to make disciples: ( Matthew 28:18-20)
The understanding that everyone needs someone to personally disciple them.
Submission to the Lordship of Christ is theoretical unless this also involves submission to human authority.
The supreme purpose of God is to make every believer into the image of Jesus Christ as sons of God to the glory of God the Father, and that we must die to ourselves in order for this to occur.
The biggest obstacle to this in the US is our cultural (beliefs and behaviors) which is founded on rebellion, anarchy, and personal independence. May God grant us repentance.
Those who read Portuguese may wish to access the blog of my friend and co-laborer in Christ, Samir at samirmachado.blogspot.com
Probably the most important thing that I have experienced is the pages of the New Testament actually being lived out in the lives of both individuals and groups, small and large, in a way that I have rarely, if ever, seen in the US. Again and again and again i have witnessed and received people doing what the Bible says. during my almost three months I have visited dozens of churches (groups) in five separate states and the Federal District ( like washington, DC), and interacted with hundreds of different people. I have stayed at fourteen different houses (some more than once) and spoken both one on one and in groups repeatedly. I have experienced hospitality, generosity and kindness on a scale unprecedented in my forty-two years of Christian life.
The common denominator to all of this is something that all of these different people and groups refer to as the kingdom of God. The foundations of this are as follows:
Jesus Christ as Lord, not just Savior (Romans 10:9)
Obeying His command to make disciples: ( Matthew 28:18-20)
The understanding that everyone needs someone to personally disciple them.
Submission to the Lordship of Christ is theoretical unless this also involves submission to human authority.
The supreme purpose of God is to make every believer into the image of Jesus Christ as sons of God to the glory of God the Father, and that we must die to ourselves in order for this to occur.
The biggest obstacle to this in the US is our cultural (beliefs and behaviors) which is founded on rebellion, anarchy, and personal independence. May God grant us repentance.
Those who read Portuguese may wish to access the blog of my friend and co-laborer in Christ, Samir at samirmachado.blogspot.com
Sunday, August 25, 2013
Testimonies of Reconciliation
Friday evening i was invited to the home of one of the pastors named Beto. Another brother prepared the classic Brazilian BBQ for about a dozen of us including children. After the meal another pastor asked one of the sisters if she would share her testimony with me. She spoke in reasonably slow Portuguese, with summaries by Wanderley in English.
About fifteen years ago as an unbeliever in Christ she married another unbeliever. At some point thereafter they had a son. The husband abandoned the family and began living with another woman. The wife has a brother who was separated from his wife. They came to Christ, reconciled and began to pray for and minister to the first woman. (Sorry, I don't remember all the names.) Occasionally the first woman's husband would come by to see his son. At one time they were intimate and she became pregnant while he continued to live with the other woman who also became pregnant at the same time
The first woman (the wife) received Jesus as Lord and Savior during the pregnancy. Her other relatives and friends were urging her to divorce her husband. At five months she discovered that she was carrying twins but the doctors were adamant that only one would live, and that the other would be born dead. She was urged to have an abortion. She refused and carried the children until they were born prematurely at seven months about three pounds each. Both lived. (The church was praying mightily throughout this experience) Meanwhile her brother is ministering to her errant husband. She was invited to a retreat 40 days after childbirth. The husband came also. He received Christ, and they began a period of reconciliation. Finally he left the other woman, who had also borne him a child fifteen days from when the twins were born, to return to his wife. She is turn began to minister to the other woman, who eventually received Christ. I should mention that the wife is neither helpless nor dependent, but attractive, educated and is a professional psychiatrist with a good job.
Today, some years later this couple enjoys a happy marriage. Her refusal to divorce or abort, and her willingness to forgive led to the salvation of at least two souls and to her own happiness. A week earlier i heard a similar testimony about a woman who had abandoned her husband, lived in an illicit relationship for five years, rejected her Christian family members, but eventually repented, came back to her husband, who forgave and received her. I trust that these testimonies speak for themselves of the power of God.
About fifteen years ago as an unbeliever in Christ she married another unbeliever. At some point thereafter they had a son. The husband abandoned the family and began living with another woman. The wife has a brother who was separated from his wife. They came to Christ, reconciled and began to pray for and minister to the first woman. (Sorry, I don't remember all the names.) Occasionally the first woman's husband would come by to see his son. At one time they were intimate and she became pregnant while he continued to live with the other woman who also became pregnant at the same time
The first woman (the wife) received Jesus as Lord and Savior during the pregnancy. Her other relatives and friends were urging her to divorce her husband. At five months she discovered that she was carrying twins but the doctors were adamant that only one would live, and that the other would be born dead. She was urged to have an abortion. She refused and carried the children until they were born prematurely at seven months about three pounds each. Both lived. (The church was praying mightily throughout this experience) Meanwhile her brother is ministering to her errant husband. She was invited to a retreat 40 days after childbirth. The husband came also. He received Christ, and they began a period of reconciliation. Finally he left the other woman, who had also borne him a child fifteen days from when the twins were born, to return to his wife. She is turn began to minister to the other woman, who eventually received Christ. I should mention that the wife is neither helpless nor dependent, but attractive, educated and is a professional psychiatrist with a good job.
Today, some years later this couple enjoys a happy marriage. Her refusal to divorce or abort, and her willingness to forgive led to the salvation of at least two souls and to her own happiness. A week earlier i heard a similar testimony about a woman who had abandoned her husband, lived in an illicit relationship for five years, rejected her Christian family members, but eventually repented, came back to her husband, who forgave and received her. I trust that these testimonies speak for themselves of the power of God.
Brasilia (3)
Last Monday had a very enjoyable time with my new friend Thiago. He is a fervent, personable young man who loves the Lord and is actively involved in mentoring and discipling younger people in his church. He also feels led to begin to learn English, one of several people who have been inspired by my efforts to learn their language of Portuguese.
Yesterday I was blessed with an opportunity to share with the disciplemakers in the church here on the subject of discipleship, something so often neglected or misunderstood in the US, but actively practiced by many churches in Brazil. I began with what Jesus says at the end of Matthew 28, and went on to talk about four principal qualities of a disciple as laid out by Christ.
1. Luke 14:33 Living a simple life so we can devote all to the Lord
2. John 8:31-32 Abiding in the Word of God
3. John 13:34-35 Loving our brothers and sisters by receiving the love of God for ourselves personally ( 1 John 4:19) and giving this to others
4. John 15:8 Bearing much fruit. As frogs produce other frogs so disciples must produce other disciples
Then gave the example of Tychicus and his journey with Onesimus with letters from Paul in prison in Rome to Colosse, Ephesus, Philemon, and possibly Philippi. What if something had happened to Tychicus? Then Onesimus would have to be ready to carry the letters (the Word of God) to their recipients through such potential dangers as Paul lists in 2 Corinthians 11:23ff.
Finally expressed my understanding based on 1 Timothy 3:5, and Titus 1:6 that a man's first responsibility of discipleship is his spouse and children.
Later that evening was invited to a ceremony/party of formal engagement of the son of one of the pastors to the daughter of one of the brothers.Each of the respective parents shared a little. Brazilians are great jokers, and the father of the prospective bride solemnly took out a pair of glasses, gave it to his daughter (who does not need them to see), asked her to put them on and take a good look at her prospective husband. The dad then said, "Now that you can see him, do you still want to marry him?" Of course, she said yes. After this we prayed for the young couple. I was asked to share a little, which I did from Ephesians 5:32 where Paul speaks of the "great mystery."
The meal and table settings were elegant. Some of the young people dressed up like waiters from a fancy restaurant to serve us. One of the brothers, a professional chef from an expensive Italian restaurant, prepared the food for forty people gratis. Several sisters made desserts, called "sobremesa," in Portuguese, which means, on the table. God is good.
Yesterday I was blessed with an opportunity to share with the disciplemakers in the church here on the subject of discipleship, something so often neglected or misunderstood in the US, but actively practiced by many churches in Brazil. I began with what Jesus says at the end of Matthew 28, and went on to talk about four principal qualities of a disciple as laid out by Christ.
1. Luke 14:33 Living a simple life so we can devote all to the Lord
2. John 8:31-32 Abiding in the Word of God
3. John 13:34-35 Loving our brothers and sisters by receiving the love of God for ourselves personally ( 1 John 4:19) and giving this to others
4. John 15:8 Bearing much fruit. As frogs produce other frogs so disciples must produce other disciples
Then gave the example of Tychicus and his journey with Onesimus with letters from Paul in prison in Rome to Colosse, Ephesus, Philemon, and possibly Philippi. What if something had happened to Tychicus? Then Onesimus would have to be ready to carry the letters (the Word of God) to their recipients through such potential dangers as Paul lists in 2 Corinthians 11:23ff.
Finally expressed my understanding based on 1 Timothy 3:5, and Titus 1:6 that a man's first responsibility of discipleship is his spouse and children.
Later that evening was invited to a ceremony/party of formal engagement of the son of one of the pastors to the daughter of one of the brothers.Each of the respective parents shared a little. Brazilians are great jokers, and the father of the prospective bride solemnly took out a pair of glasses, gave it to his daughter (who does not need them to see), asked her to put them on and take a good look at her prospective husband. The dad then said, "Now that you can see him, do you still want to marry him?" Of course, she said yes. After this we prayed for the young couple. I was asked to share a little, which I did from Ephesians 5:32 where Paul speaks of the "great mystery."
The meal and table settings were elegant. Some of the young people dressed up like waiters from a fancy restaurant to serve us. One of the brothers, a professional chef from an expensive Italian restaurant, prepared the food for forty people gratis. Several sisters made desserts, called "sobremesa," in Portuguese, which means, on the table. God is good.
Friday, August 23, 2013
Brasilia ( 3)
The days begin to blend into each other. The church here has approximately 300 people whom I am meeting a few at a time as they have whole church meetings once a month with many smaller groups meeting during the month. Each day or evening i am meeting a different group of people. Last night was mostly middle aged married couples. They are being discipled by Wanderley & Marta, and in turn they disciple others. One, named Edward, is a very intelligent fellow who works with computers for the government. On the side he is writing a book about ethics and moral philosophy. I have taken three philosophy courses at the college level over the years. Unfortunately most of this did not stick. Still he is a fascinating man to listen too, and in English he goes slow enough for me to follow the current of his thinking.
Today i took a walk alone through the neighborhood. Brasilia is laid out in an organized pattern but all the rotaries, squares, and general layout is repeated many times so that all looks the same. i walked in a straight line for a number of blocks and then turned around to return. Somehow I went too far, past my original departure point. I am staying in the 100 block and somehow ended up in the 300 block. Turning around again, I found my way to the 100's without ever seeing the 200's.
The night before we went to a different area by car and met with a home group. The host plays for the local symphony orchestra. Enjoyed listening to him as we worshiped. Wanderley gave a very clear, organized, to the point teaching about discipleship using power point projected off a wall. This type of teaching seems to be rare in Brazil. Usually I hear long preaching sessions. I understand preaching as proclaiming and appealing to the emotions, and teaching as explaining and appealing to the mind.
Hot water is hit or miss here. I don't believe i have ever experienced a bathroom sink with hot water. Showers can be hot or cold but always unpredictable. I have gotten used to shaving with cold water.
My friend Samir from Porto alegre has reactivated his blog. For those who can read Portuguese I believe it will prove valuable. If I can remember how i connected to Bill's blog (probably someone helped me), i will provide a link to Samir's.
Today i took a walk alone through the neighborhood. Brasilia is laid out in an organized pattern but all the rotaries, squares, and general layout is repeated many times so that all looks the same. i walked in a straight line for a number of blocks and then turned around to return. Somehow I went too far, past my original departure point. I am staying in the 100 block and somehow ended up in the 300 block. Turning around again, I found my way to the 100's without ever seeing the 200's.
The night before we went to a different area by car and met with a home group. The host plays for the local symphony orchestra. Enjoyed listening to him as we worshiped. Wanderley gave a very clear, organized, to the point teaching about discipleship using power point projected off a wall. This type of teaching seems to be rare in Brazil. Usually I hear long preaching sessions. I understand preaching as proclaiming and appealing to the emotions, and teaching as explaining and appealing to the mind.
Hot water is hit or miss here. I don't believe i have ever experienced a bathroom sink with hot water. Showers can be hot or cold but always unpredictable. I have gotten used to shaving with cold water.
My friend Samir from Porto alegre has reactivated his blog. For those who can read Portuguese I believe it will prove valuable. If I can remember how i connected to Bill's blog (probably someone helped me), i will provide a link to Samir's.
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
Winding Down
Am beginning the last week of my summer in Brazil. Last night was invited to the home of Wagner, one of the pastors in the church in Brasilia. I had met his youngest son, Lucas, previously in various locations, and eventually the rest of his family but was the first time in his house. Wagner had been in San Luis, a city far to the north, and had the opportunity to give a message there about the kingdom of God which he shared with me, and three other brothers including my friend Carlos. Wagner is a forceful speaker, well suited for the type of preaching that works here in Brazil. He had the courtesy to speak slowly and have patience with my occasional requests for clarification. Both of his older children are in the process of getting married. I have been invited to the formal ceremony of betrothal of his older son Diego this Saturday. Wagner is also trying to arrange a BBQ for me in my remaining days here.
Ironically i have Wagners of German descent in my family tree. My relatives always claimed that they were related to Honus Wagner, the great Hall of Fame shortstop, but i have no idea if this is correct. I doubt my friend Wagner has German blood.
Tonight i have been invited to a home group and look forward to this experience as i have been meeting in homes for many years.
God is faithful. Life is hard. A student at the local university, a young man of 25, had convulsions and died yesterday. I don't know if there was any previous history. I do know that none of us has any guarantee of how long we will be here on this planet. For those who have put their trust in Christ and received his Lordship, "Precious in the eyes of the Lord is the death of His saints,". (Psalm 116:15) Those who have not will suffer the penalty of eternal destruction." (2 Thessalonians 1:9) for having denied the only Savior, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Ironically i have Wagners of German descent in my family tree. My relatives always claimed that they were related to Honus Wagner, the great Hall of Fame shortstop, but i have no idea if this is correct. I doubt my friend Wagner has German blood.
Tonight i have been invited to a home group and look forward to this experience as i have been meeting in homes for many years.
God is faithful. Life is hard. A student at the local university, a young man of 25, had convulsions and died yesterday. I don't know if there was any previous history. I do know that none of us has any guarantee of how long we will be here on this planet. For those who have put their trust in Christ and received his Lordship, "Precious in the eyes of the Lord is the death of His saints,". (Psalm 116:15) Those who have not will suffer the penalty of eternal destruction." (2 Thessalonians 1:9) for having denied the only Savior, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
Brasilia (2)
The other day we went to the TV tower here. Usually you can ascend it to get a great view of the city but it was closed when we went. There is an open air market at the foot of the tower and i was able to purchase a couple of little gifts for relatives.
Sunday night I went to a meeting of a regular church. A very nice family picked me up at the place where i am staying and took me to Aguas Claras, a suburb. We used mostly Portuguese on the ride there although Nathaniel the husband speaks some English, and his wife Lorena teaches both English and Portuguese. The church is where my new friend Thiago, his brother and parents go. His dad is the pastor. Seven years ago they began with thirteen people. Now they have at least a hundred and support missionaries. Pastor Edvaldo asked me to repeat some of what i had shared at the missionary conference in VV. Lorena translated very well. Afterwards we had a little meal and fellowship. Nathaniel and Lorena have a very nice daughter, six years old, named Suzana. Maybe some day i will have a granddaughter like her.
Monday evening i went with Wanderley to meet with some of his disciples. Learning more about the discipleship process from the perspective of Brazilian Christians is one of the major reasons that I wanted to return to Brazil. Our time together, with three other brothers who are also discipling others, was in a mixture of English and Portuguese. Some of the things that I appreciated was the commitment to a weekly time together, an emphasis on both the Word of God and the Holy Spirit, the call to discipleship as part of the conversion process not something tacked on later by whim, and the strong relational nature of their interaction. Each of the brothers gave an update on how he was doing spiritually, in their marriage and family, their work and finances, and with the people they are working with. There is accountability here which produces fruit.
Sunday night I went to a meeting of a regular church. A very nice family picked me up at the place where i am staying and took me to Aguas Claras, a suburb. We used mostly Portuguese on the ride there although Nathaniel the husband speaks some English, and his wife Lorena teaches both English and Portuguese. The church is where my new friend Thiago, his brother and parents go. His dad is the pastor. Seven years ago they began with thirteen people. Now they have at least a hundred and support missionaries. Pastor Edvaldo asked me to repeat some of what i had shared at the missionary conference in VV. Lorena translated very well. Afterwards we had a little meal and fellowship. Nathaniel and Lorena have a very nice daughter, six years old, named Suzana. Maybe some day i will have a granddaughter like her.
Monday evening i went with Wanderley to meet with some of his disciples. Learning more about the discipleship process from the perspective of Brazilian Christians is one of the major reasons that I wanted to return to Brazil. Our time together, with three other brothers who are also discipling others, was in a mixture of English and Portuguese. Some of the things that I appreciated was the commitment to a weekly time together, an emphasis on both the Word of God and the Holy Spirit, the call to discipleship as part of the conversion process not something tacked on later by whim, and the strong relational nature of their interaction. Each of the brothers gave an update on how he was doing spiritually, in their marriage and family, their work and finances, and with the people they are working with. There is accountability here which produces fruit.
Monday, August 19, 2013
Singleness in Christ
Saturday evening i had the opportunity to share with the solteiros (single people) in the church here. By the time that all arrived there was at least fifty including several married couples who are discipling some of the youth. There was a time of worship, and a young brother named Mateus shared some things. ( I am trying to do without translation so i can learn) After Wanderley introduced me and his son Anderson prayed for me and the translator ( English into Portuguese), a young woman named Rebeca, daughter of a missionary family who went to school with the children of American missionaries) I spoke about being single in Christ. I do not find a lot about this topic in the Bible. Jesus makes a comment in Matthew 19 about those who have made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the Kingdom of God (verse 12). The rest is in 1 Corinthians 7 except for the many references to widows.
In 1 Corinthians the Holy Spirit reveals through Paul the apostle that married people will have trouble in this life (verse 28) and that unmarried people can concentrate on pleasing the Lord. (verses 32-35) Although the Bible states this clearly I observe that most Christians, probably following the culture, believe that marriage is better, and that singleness is something to be endured. What I have seen over many years and hundreds of married couples is that none of them is sailing smoothly through life without any problems or issues.
Recognizing that most of the people that I was speaking to will be married at some point in their lives I said that the best thing they could do (whether married or unmarried) was to receive the love of God for themselves personally. Human love is up and down, sometimes weak, and cannot be counted upon. God's love is strong, constant, and unchanging. It took very strong love for Jesus to suffer on the cross for us.
Finally i added several thoughts about the differences between men and women. I still do not understand why God made us so different. But Genesis 1:27 reveals that both men and women are both needed to fully reflect the image of God. One major difference is found in the end of Genesis 2. The man initiates the actions of leaving father and mother, and uniting to his wife. The woman responds. Reflecting about this will help to understand the differences. For example, why do women find a silent man frustrating? Because they have nothing to respond too. Why do women respond to decorations in a house while men don't? We observe the same things but react differently.
Ephesians 5:33 reveals another crucial difference. Men are told to love their wives and women to respect their husbands. Why? Because men and women want different things. Women want love. Men want respect.
In 1 Corinthians the Holy Spirit reveals through Paul the apostle that married people will have trouble in this life (verse 28) and that unmarried people can concentrate on pleasing the Lord. (verses 32-35) Although the Bible states this clearly I observe that most Christians, probably following the culture, believe that marriage is better, and that singleness is something to be endured. What I have seen over many years and hundreds of married couples is that none of them is sailing smoothly through life without any problems or issues.
Recognizing that most of the people that I was speaking to will be married at some point in their lives I said that the best thing they could do (whether married or unmarried) was to receive the love of God for themselves personally. Human love is up and down, sometimes weak, and cannot be counted upon. God's love is strong, constant, and unchanging. It took very strong love for Jesus to suffer on the cross for us.
Finally i added several thoughts about the differences between men and women. I still do not understand why God made us so different. But Genesis 1:27 reveals that both men and women are both needed to fully reflect the image of God. One major difference is found in the end of Genesis 2. The man initiates the actions of leaving father and mother, and uniting to his wife. The woman responds. Reflecting about this will help to understand the differences. For example, why do women find a silent man frustrating? Because they have nothing to respond too. Why do women respond to decorations in a house while men don't? We observe the same things but react differently.
Ephesians 5:33 reveals another crucial difference. Men are told to love their wives and women to respect their husbands. Why? Because men and women want different things. Women want love. Men want respect.
Saturday, August 17, 2013
Brasilia
Arrived in Brasilia, the capital of Brazil, very early Wednesday morning having left Natal at 3 in the morning. Wanderley, my new host picked me up at the airport and brought me to his home. Brasilia is the result of an intentional plan by the then president of Brasil in the 1950's, and is the work of an architect named Oscar Nidermayer. The city is laid out in the shape of an airplane with south and north wings. Everything is laid out in a systematic way.
Slept in wednesday, had lunch at a buffet restaurant and a good conversation with Wanderley's older son Anderson about cultural differences. Took a walk later and again in the big city park with A and a friend of his the next day. Thursday evening three married couples came over. Two of the men had quite good English. One had worked in London for six years, the other in Houston for several years.
Last night i took the metro for the first time. W and i went to a small group meeting. There i met the sister of one of my friends in montreal. Everyone is related to someone in these churches. My walk yesterday was with W and one of his friends. W & i have similar thinking patterns. He is organized and asks good questions. we have discussed the missionary efforts of the brazilian churches.
Tonight i go to share with the younger single people in the church, a real privilege for me. Sunday evening i have been asked to preach at a different church, that of my friend Thiago and his parents.
The church in brasilia has only one large group meeting per month but weekly small group meetings and continual informal interaction during the week. Apparently the singles and the disciplemakers also have regular (monthly?) gatherings. This seems like a good plan to me.
Slept in wednesday, had lunch at a buffet restaurant and a good conversation with Wanderley's older son Anderson about cultural differences. Took a walk later and again in the big city park with A and a friend of his the next day. Thursday evening three married couples came over. Two of the men had quite good English. One had worked in London for six years, the other in Houston for several years.
Last night i took the metro for the first time. W and i went to a small group meeting. There i met the sister of one of my friends in montreal. Everyone is related to someone in these churches. My walk yesterday was with W and one of his friends. W & i have similar thinking patterns. He is organized and asks good questions. we have discussed the missionary efforts of the brazilian churches.
Tonight i go to share with the younger single people in the church, a real privilege for me. Sunday evening i have been asked to preach at a different church, that of my friend Thiago and his parents.
The church in brasilia has only one large group meeting per month but weekly small group meetings and continual informal interaction during the week. Apparently the singles and the disciplemakers also have regular (monthly?) gatherings. This seems like a good plan to me.
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
Clicker
Have not watched voluntarily TV in a long time so my understanding of the technology is probably dated but there used to be something called the remote control so that you could change the channel without getting out of your chair. I actually remember the days when you had to get up and manually change the channel. Of course, there were only 3 in those days. Now you need a Ph.D in information technology or your average 4 year old to work the controls. Anyway the slang term for this device is "clicker." If you don't like what you are watching you "click" and you have something else.
After more than three months total in two different visits to Brazil, I am learning a little about Brazilian culture, and about my own American culture. i am coming to realize that choice, options and individual decisions are central to an American cultural understanding. Brazilian culture is far more group oriented and intrusive to the concept of personal space.
Let me give some examples. I was sitting on one of the ubiquitous white plastic chairs talking with a friend. As I am larger than the average there was a concern that I might fall over and hurt myself so a second chair was procured, and placed on top of the first to provide a stronger framework. In and of itself a harmless expression of love. The difficulty is that I did not have a choice about whether i would sit on one chair or two. The impression left is one of disrespect- that I am not able to take care of myself. Now you might say, rick, you are making a big deal out of nothing. Yes, if this type of thing occurred once, but not a hundred times. i am told when to get into a food line, or handed a plate full of food that i really don't need or want. Attempts to explain are met with incomprehension or a feeling that i am not willing to receive love. Instead this is a deeply rooted culturally based desire to make my own choices and decisions.
As i was writing this post my new host actually asked me what I wanted to do. I was so astonished that i did almost fall out of my chair. i believe this is the first time i have been asked this question. Brazilian culture is so group oriented that it is simply assumed that you want to do whatever the group wants to do. I would ask my north american readers to consider this phenomenon- the importance of making our own choices and decisions as exempified by the clicker.
After more than three months total in two different visits to Brazil, I am learning a little about Brazilian culture, and about my own American culture. i am coming to realize that choice, options and individual decisions are central to an American cultural understanding. Brazilian culture is far more group oriented and intrusive to the concept of personal space.
Let me give some examples. I was sitting on one of the ubiquitous white plastic chairs talking with a friend. As I am larger than the average there was a concern that I might fall over and hurt myself so a second chair was procured, and placed on top of the first to provide a stronger framework. In and of itself a harmless expression of love. The difficulty is that I did not have a choice about whether i would sit on one chair or two. The impression left is one of disrespect- that I am not able to take care of myself. Now you might say, rick, you are making a big deal out of nothing. Yes, if this type of thing occurred once, but not a hundred times. i am told when to get into a food line, or handed a plate full of food that i really don't need or want. Attempts to explain are met with incomprehension or a feeling that i am not willing to receive love. Instead this is a deeply rooted culturally based desire to make my own choices and decisions.
As i was writing this post my new host actually asked me what I wanted to do. I was so astonished that i did almost fall out of my chair. i believe this is the first time i have been asked this question. Brazilian culture is so group oriented that it is simply assumed that you want to do whatever the group wants to do. I would ask my north american readers to consider this phenomenon- the importance of making our own choices and decisions as exempified by the clicker.
Monday, August 12, 2013
Natal (2)
Saturday we had the reason for my being in Natal, the ordination of three elders/pastors. Unfortunately I do not know these men personally. In theory we began at 7, actually closer to 8. The church had rented (?) a function hall and we sat six or so to a table. Instead of the ubiquitous white plastic chairs that I have seen all over Brazil, we had white hard wooden chairs. Samuel, a brother from Ponte Novo in MG, facilitated worship. Along with the usual guitars and drums, one brother played a small horn. Nice!
A skit followed. This was mime i have seen before somewhere with six or seven people. One is a human, one plays Jesus, and the rest are tempters. Then at least ten different people shared their connection with the formation of the church or gave a testimony about this. Unfortunately feedback and amplification from microphones makes it difficult for me to understand Portuguese. Prior to ten the main speaker began and spoke for at least an hour and a half. Finally there was a time of prayer for the three brothers.
I had not eaten since two, and am grateful for the discipline of fasting because we did not eat until midnight. Afterwards there was fellowship and i did not get to bed until almost two in the morning. The previous afternoon i met a man of eighty-seven years. He quoted a number of verses to me from memory in Portuguese. He had come with other brothers who went into a meeting so out of respect I sat with him the entire afternoon. He did not move from his seat, did not want anything to eat or drink, made little conversation but finally jumped up like a goat when the time to depart arrived.
On Sunday my host said we are going (somewhere) and you can wear shorts. This turned out to be a barbecue with seventy-five people from several churches out in the country. Unfortunately I had a close race with flies to see who would eat my lunch. I am finally able to have basic conversations with people in Portuguese if I can do this one on one, and if they can supply a word or two in English once in awhile. I had a nice conversation with a brother who had learned English working in a restaurant catering to tourists in Lisbon, Portugal, and another with the wife of a friend of mine who is learning English.
In the evening we wandered around the city and eventually came to the house of one of the leaders (yesterday was Father's Day in Brazil) for another meal. His eighty-eight year old father was there, lean in body and clear in mind. Unfortunately my brain was fried from many hours of concentrating on Portuguese so I went home early.
A skit followed. This was mime i have seen before somewhere with six or seven people. One is a human, one plays Jesus, and the rest are tempters. Then at least ten different people shared their connection with the formation of the church or gave a testimony about this. Unfortunately feedback and amplification from microphones makes it difficult for me to understand Portuguese. Prior to ten the main speaker began and spoke for at least an hour and a half. Finally there was a time of prayer for the three brothers.
I had not eaten since two, and am grateful for the discipline of fasting because we did not eat until midnight. Afterwards there was fellowship and i did not get to bed until almost two in the morning. The previous afternoon i met a man of eighty-seven years. He quoted a number of verses to me from memory in Portuguese. He had come with other brothers who went into a meeting so out of respect I sat with him the entire afternoon. He did not move from his seat, did not want anything to eat or drink, made little conversation but finally jumped up like a goat when the time to depart arrived.
On Sunday my host said we are going (somewhere) and you can wear shorts. This turned out to be a barbecue with seventy-five people from several churches out in the country. Unfortunately I had a close race with flies to see who would eat my lunch. I am finally able to have basic conversations with people in Portuguese if I can do this one on one, and if they can supply a word or two in English once in awhile. I had a nice conversation with a brother who had learned English working in a restaurant catering to tourists in Lisbon, Portugal, and another with the wife of a friend of mine who is learning English.
In the evening we wandered around the city and eventually came to the house of one of the leaders (yesterday was Father's Day in Brazil) for another meal. His eighty-eight year old father was there, lean in body and clear in mind. Unfortunately my brain was fried from many hours of concentrating on Portuguese so I went home early.
Friday, August 9, 2013
Natal
Natal is the Portuguese word for Christmas. It is also the name of a region of South Africa, and the name of the city in northern Brazil where i am currently staying. It was a challenge to get here. Brazilian highways are like two lane country roads so it would have taken a number of days to drive here. There is no direct flight from Vitoria to Natal so I fly south to Rio de Janeiro, about a fifty minute flight but a six hour drive, in order to get on a plane from Rio to Natal, thus flying over Vitoria to get there. Of course the first flight was almost empty and i had three seats to myself. The second was full. Brazilians form into lines before the flight is called to get onto a plane and are especially eager to get off.
I had wondered how i might know who was supposed to meet me in Natal as i don't know anyone from that city. To my surprise the greeting party of eight included two friends and others who recognized me from other contexts. Of course some were there to meet a young sister who also had the same flight. All of this at almost three in the morning. At about 3:30 my new host greeted me and showed me a wonderful suite which includes a bathroom. In contrast to many people, Marcelo speaks slow enough for me to understand more of what he says and we have had several conversations. His whole family is tranquil which is a blessing for me.
Last night Marcelo took me to meet Wagner, a young English teacher. We spoke about the eternal purpose of God in English. Wagner was very attentive. I have also begun to walk again for exercise about half an hour and hope to work back up to an hour and a half once my foot is completely restored.
Two small land turtles live in the yard. I watched them eat discarded fruit this morning. Turtle heads and necks are ugly.
As with so many biblical themes and principles, the Brazilian Christians that i have met understand the idea of spiritual children, an idea encapsulated in 1 Corinthians 4:15, and the relationship of Paul and Timothy. This morning I was blessed enormously to have a young man of my acquaintance ask if we could have that relationship. God is very good to me.
I had wondered how i might know who was supposed to meet me in Natal as i don't know anyone from that city. To my surprise the greeting party of eight included two friends and others who recognized me from other contexts. Of course some were there to meet a young sister who also had the same flight. All of this at almost three in the morning. At about 3:30 my new host greeted me and showed me a wonderful suite which includes a bathroom. In contrast to many people, Marcelo speaks slow enough for me to understand more of what he says and we have had several conversations. His whole family is tranquil which is a blessing for me.
Last night Marcelo took me to meet Wagner, a young English teacher. We spoke about the eternal purpose of God in English. Wagner was very attentive. I have also begun to walk again for exercise about half an hour and hope to work back up to an hour and a half once my foot is completely restored.
Two small land turtles live in the yard. I watched them eat discarded fruit this morning. Turtle heads and necks are ugly.
As with so many biblical themes and principles, the Brazilian Christians that i have met understand the idea of spiritual children, an idea encapsulated in 1 Corinthians 4:15, and the relationship of Paul and Timothy. This morning I was blessed enormously to have a young man of my acquaintance ask if we could have that relationship. God is very good to me.
Tuesday, August 6, 2013
A Reflection on the Love of God
Some people need constant assurance in their relationships. They need regular affirmation that they are loved, that everything is o.k., that problems are being addressed etc. Today i was wondering why i don't need this. I believe this is because of the deeply rooted conviction and experience that God loves me personally. I did not always have this. In fact it took nearly forty years, and almost half of those as a Christian to begin to believe that God loved me. This was a gradual process fueled and founded on the Word of God. Today the Holy Spirit reminded me of Psalm 73: 25-26. "Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. " Unfortunately this causes a problem. Because i don't need the ongoing affirmation from people, I fail to give it to those who do. They feel insecure and feel like i don't care about them. Usually i do like them but am not expressing this in a way that is relevant to them. Help me, God.
Last night i was invited to a 50th birthday party of a new friend. He had committed some sins in the past that had hurt his family. But both people in the church and family members had stood by him. God had changed him and it was heart warming to see the love that he received.
There is a brother in the church here who serves as a doctor in a poorer area. After the party he came over, quite late to the house where i am staying and removed all nine stitches from my little toe and right foot. This was not a fun process but necessary. When was the last time a doctor came to your house for free? A wonderful testimony of the love of God working through a person.
Probably will need more time for full movement as before but put on a shoe for the first time last night. Felt a little tight and can't walk normally yet.
Last night i was invited to a 50th birthday party of a new friend. He had committed some sins in the past that had hurt his family. But both people in the church and family members had stood by him. God had changed him and it was heart warming to see the love that he received.
There is a brother in the church here who serves as a doctor in a poorer area. After the party he came over, quite late to the house where i am staying and removed all nine stitches from my little toe and right foot. This was not a fun process but necessary. When was the last time a doctor came to your house for free? A wonderful testimony of the love of God working through a person.
Probably will need more time for full movement as before but put on a shoe for the first time last night. Felt a little tight and can't walk normally yet.
Monday, August 5, 2013
Reality of Cultural Differences
As I pass the two month mark of being in Brazil for the second time, I see the reality of cultural differences with a little more clarity. A simple definition of culture is the beliefs and behaviors of a group of people. ( Society) Some examples follow. I live in a very cold part of the US. The ocean is never warm enough for swimming even in the middle of summer. As a Christian I don't want to expose myself to the temptation of seeing half naked women. And I sun burn very easily. Most brazilians live close to the ocean. The climate is warm most of the time. Going to the beach is something that almost everyone does. Perhaps seeing practical nudity is different if you have grown up with it.
A second example is the level of agreement that is sought when speaking. In the US we have an expresson, uh hunh, which is not a word. The sound can be made very softly in the throat without opening the mouth. This indicates that the listener acknowledges what the speaker is saying. Portuguese speaking Brazilians need a much more forceful expression of acknowledgement. They say "entendeo" which is probably a mis-spelling that means "do you understand?" I think this is their favorite word. But they have a still more forceful word that sounds like "tah," This word is meant to force you to respond preferably in the affirmative.
A third example is an insistence on one's welfare which can become quite intrusive for someone from north american culture. They want you to be almost deliriously happy and to express this in a very strong way. Personal space is not a cultural concept.
Yesterday i went to a birthday party for a new friend. He had invited his relatives and a few friends about twenty-five adults. Many Brazilians live in tall apartment/condominium buildings with function rooms on the lower floor. He had a catered barbecue meal. There was one man cooking and one woman serving. She was probably about my age and worked very hard. Tipping does not seem to be part of the culture. I do this on a regular basis and find that people are surprised and appreciative.
Last night the same friend invited me to a service in a regular church. They had a nice building, pews, several different choral groups, and a band of about a dozen with woodwinds, drums, and horns. The leaders sat on throne like chairs facing the congregation who were mostly women. I thought i was supposed to teach so had prepared a half hour message. After i was seated on my "throne' I was told ten minutes maximum, don't teach but share a little about what i am doing in Brazil. Constant flexibility is required here.
A second example is the level of agreement that is sought when speaking. In the US we have an expresson, uh hunh, which is not a word. The sound can be made very softly in the throat without opening the mouth. This indicates that the listener acknowledges what the speaker is saying. Portuguese speaking Brazilians need a much more forceful expression of acknowledgement. They say "entendeo" which is probably a mis-spelling that means "do you understand?" I think this is their favorite word. But they have a still more forceful word that sounds like "tah," This word is meant to force you to respond preferably in the affirmative.
A third example is an insistence on one's welfare which can become quite intrusive for someone from north american culture. They want you to be almost deliriously happy and to express this in a very strong way. Personal space is not a cultural concept.
Yesterday i went to a birthday party for a new friend. He had invited his relatives and a few friends about twenty-five adults. Many Brazilians live in tall apartment/condominium buildings with function rooms on the lower floor. He had a catered barbecue meal. There was one man cooking and one woman serving. She was probably about my age and worked very hard. Tipping does not seem to be part of the culture. I do this on a regular basis and find that people are surprised and appreciative.
Last night the same friend invited me to a service in a regular church. They had a nice building, pews, several different choral groups, and a band of about a dozen with woodwinds, drums, and horns. The leaders sat on throne like chairs facing the congregation who were mostly women. I thought i was supposed to teach so had prepared a half hour message. After i was seated on my "throne' I was told ten minutes maximum, don't teach but share a little about what i am doing in Brazil. Constant flexibility is required here.
Sunday, August 4, 2013
Flexibility Required
Unfortunately my grasp of Portuguese is limited and i often miss the details. Rarely do i know what is going to happen with any accuracy. Friday I had hoped to have a day of prayer and fasting. My hostess had run into an American acquaintance in the grocery store (our conversation was in Portuguese but i understood her better than most because she spoke slowly without a Brazilian accent) and i thought i was going over there in the late afternoon. Then i received a last minute invitation to the birthday celebration of a very close friend. But when i would go to his house was up in the air. Finally arrived about seven- thirty in the evening. Eventually there was a blend of relatives and friends. I had a very encouraging conversation with a young man named Thiago. He is a fervent, personable disciple of Christ who has weathered hard times and come out living for Jesus.
The days tend to blend into each other. Saturday evening we went to the weekly gathering with several hundred people. Vinci believes in and practices the principle of interactive meetings ( 1 Cor. 14:26) He asked if people had things to share with the church. I practice 2 Timothy 4:1-2 of being ready to preach the Word in season or out of season (at any time) so I was given the opportunity of completing the teaching that i had started about seven weeks earlier. My mentor in Christ, Jim Durkin, had taught us this four decades earlier in a teaching he referred to as the purpose and vision of God. To glorify God in everything we do forever through Jesus Christ is the purpose. The three part vision reflects our three primary areas of relationship as Christians. 1st personal with God. 2nd relationship with our brothers and sisters. 3rd our relationship with those who do not know Christ. More specifically 1st becoming like Christ, 2nd unity of the body, 3rd preaching the true gospel in all the world. I offered these deeply held convictions to the saints there.
Greeted many believers including Lauro, Junio, Juliana, Anderson, Valesca, Paulinho, Bruno & Rafaela, Katerini and met others. A woman i had met the week before gave a powerful testimony of the faithfulness of God in her personal life.
Afterwards we went and had panceka. This popular food is somewhere between a crepe and a burrito (although my friends insisted that panceka is not a burrito) which is filled with a wide variety of foods according to taste. I confess that i am not optimistic about adjusting to the idea of eating at midnight and going to sleep at one or later in the morning.
I had understood that my friend Alex's birthday party was Sunday. My new hosts said no, it was Monday. Actually it turns out to be both days with different groups represented. So we celebrated that today, his 50th, with his strong testimony of personal and family restoration.
The day before we went to the home of a couple called Washington and Georgia, Brazilian Christians who had prepared the classic dish of fish stew which is so popular here. This is cooked in large, heavy black clay pots. At one point i asked Washington the name of the pot. In his response he offered to give me one on the spot. I pleaded no space in my suitcase. He said he would bring one in his next trip to the US. The generosity and hospitality of the Christians here is unbelievable.
The days tend to blend into each other. Saturday evening we went to the weekly gathering with several hundred people. Vinci believes in and practices the principle of interactive meetings ( 1 Cor. 14:26) He asked if people had things to share with the church. I practice 2 Timothy 4:1-2 of being ready to preach the Word in season or out of season (at any time) so I was given the opportunity of completing the teaching that i had started about seven weeks earlier. My mentor in Christ, Jim Durkin, had taught us this four decades earlier in a teaching he referred to as the purpose and vision of God. To glorify God in everything we do forever through Jesus Christ is the purpose. The three part vision reflects our three primary areas of relationship as Christians. 1st personal with God. 2nd relationship with our brothers and sisters. 3rd our relationship with those who do not know Christ. More specifically 1st becoming like Christ, 2nd unity of the body, 3rd preaching the true gospel in all the world. I offered these deeply held convictions to the saints there.
Greeted many believers including Lauro, Junio, Juliana, Anderson, Valesca, Paulinho, Bruno & Rafaela, Katerini and met others. A woman i had met the week before gave a powerful testimony of the faithfulness of God in her personal life.
Afterwards we went and had panceka. This popular food is somewhere between a crepe and a burrito (although my friends insisted that panceka is not a burrito) which is filled with a wide variety of foods according to taste. I confess that i am not optimistic about adjusting to the idea of eating at midnight and going to sleep at one or later in the morning.
I had understood that my friend Alex's birthday party was Sunday. My new hosts said no, it was Monday. Actually it turns out to be both days with different groups represented. So we celebrated that today, his 50th, with his strong testimony of personal and family restoration.
The day before we went to the home of a couple called Washington and Georgia, Brazilian Christians who had prepared the classic dish of fish stew which is so popular here. This is cooked in large, heavy black clay pots. At one point i asked Washington the name of the pot. In his response he offered to give me one on the spot. I pleaded no space in my suitcase. He said he would bring one in his next trip to the US. The generosity and hospitality of the Christians here is unbelievable.
Friday, August 2, 2013
God at Work
My host has been quite ill for a number of days with an undiagnosed ailment. We have prayed for him on various occasions. He & his wife host a Thursday evening home group, and he had intended to teach. I was looking forward to this because God has given him many insights. Unfortunately he was unable to do so because of his sickness. In theory they begin around 7:30. At that time there were only a handful of people present. Others straggled in over time. About 7:30 my hostess asked me if i could share as her husband could not. Thankfully the Holy Spirit has worked into me the principle of being ready to preach the word in season and out of season. (2 Timothy 4:1-2) and i had spent time in preparation before the meeting. Most of the eventual participants were female and i recognized the direction of the Holy Spirit in giving me the topic of the Bride of Christ.
Prior to my sharing, a man whose name i just can't absorb facilitated worship. He is quite striking, looks like the classic California surfer, and played a very sweet sax at the missionary conference. Rebeca, one of the daughters of the family, also played several songs, a talent i didn't know she had. Then this man shared a testimony of how God had delivered him from many years of drug addiction. (He has been clean for almost a year.) We also anointed the sick with oil (Mark 6:13, James 5:14) and prayed for their healing.
Finally i spoke with the translational assistance of Rebeca about the bride of Christ using such verses as Gen. 1:26-27, Gen. 2:24, Hosea 2:16-20, John 14:1-2, 2 Cor. 11:2, Ephesians 5:22-33, Revelation 19:6-9, and Mark 13:32.
Yesterday i took a little walk, about 10 blocks, and today another of about the same length. By the grace of God once the stitches are out and i can get a shoe on again, i should be able to walk.
Prior to my sharing, a man whose name i just can't absorb facilitated worship. He is quite striking, looks like the classic California surfer, and played a very sweet sax at the missionary conference. Rebeca, one of the daughters of the family, also played several songs, a talent i didn't know she had. Then this man shared a testimony of how God had delivered him from many years of drug addiction. (He has been clean for almost a year.) We also anointed the sick with oil (Mark 6:13, James 5:14) and prayed for their healing.
Finally i spoke with the translational assistance of Rebeca about the bride of Christ using such verses as Gen. 1:26-27, Gen. 2:24, Hosea 2:16-20, John 14:1-2, 2 Cor. 11:2, Ephesians 5:22-33, Revelation 19:6-9, and Mark 13:32.
Yesterday i took a little walk, about 10 blocks, and today another of about the same length. By the grace of God once the stitches are out and i can get a shoe on again, i should be able to walk.
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