Friday, July 31, 2015

Brazil 4, Post # 4

This is a vacation period in Brazil, and as i walk along the beach there are numerous volleyball games in progress, with anywhere from one on one to full teams, little children to people my age. The soccer influence is obvious as players bounce balls off their heads or bodies as they would in playing soccer. One end of the beach has fresh fish for sale, with their strange protruding eyes. Police patrol in pairs on bicycles. There is a clearly defined bike trail adjacent to the walking area set apart by its reddish color. Crossing it is taking your life in your hands. Wednesday evening had time with a young man whom i met last year. We mix English and Portuguese in our conversation. Interacting with those of the younger generation is one of the highlights of my time here. Later we join up with 2 other younger friends. One, the son of Brazilian missionaries, has lived in numerous countries, with three years the longest in any one, and speaks a number of languages at age 13. Last night went to a home group meeting and had an opportunity to share with about fifteen people on the theme of personal relationship with God, and His ardent desire for this. I spoke in my halting Portuguese although did make a joke successfully. Several others shared after me. So much depends on how rapidly someone speaks. With one man i could never catch up; with another i had a good grasp of what he shared. Wedding plans and ceremonies can be almost as complex here as in the US. The stress, innumerable details, expectations, and sheer time and energy to pull this off is unbelievable. As with the celebration of the birth of Christ at Christmas, the original intent is largely lost.

Wednesday, July 29, 2015

Brazil Visit 4- Post # 3

Since the conference ended i have been fellowshipping with my friend Alex and his family. They live near a long beach, which is ideal for walking. I go from end to the other and back in about an hour and a half, along with army guys doing martial chants, vendors of everything from coconut water to trinkets, people playing volleyball, runners, bicyclists, squadrons of taxis, and pregnant ladies. The temperature today works out to 73F. Last night had the pleasure of time with long time friends Getulio and Ana. Both are educated, engaging, and speak both good English and clear Portuguese. Today went with Alex to look at some building lots ( he is in real estate), and then to lunch with his sister, who lived in the US for a period of time. Normally i don't watch TV, but anything to improve my Portuguese. I get at least the gist of what the various anchors and reporters are saying. Brazilian cuisine is usually uniform. Breakfast includes small French rolls with sandwich meat and cheese cut very thin. Various kinds of tropical juices are also served. Lunch is the biggest meal of the day, with meat, salad cut into tiny pieces, beans and rice. If dinner is eaten out, it is more substantial, but in the house is more of a snack. So far have added 2 verses in Portuguese to my repitoire of memorized Scripture. ( Matthew 25:34, Romans 15:29) Tonight i hang out with a young friend. God is good.

Sunday, July 26, 2015

Brazil visit # 4 Post 2

Sunday evening has arrived and i have survived my third bi-annual missionary conference. I don't know how. Normally i don't wear my emotions on my sleeve, as the expression goes. In Brazil everything changes. There are about a thousand participants, many of whom I know or they know me. People are constantly greeting me, with prayer, hugs, tears. It is an extremely intense experience on all levels, physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional. Among the highlights of the last 2 days: A very moving testimony by a woman from South Africa, who lost her husband, two teen age children, and all worldly possessions from a terroist attack in a country in which they were serving as missionaries. An indigenous man from the Amazon, whom i met 2 years ago, and his wife, who came to the conference for the first time, people whom i understood to have extreme interpersonal shyness, got up before the whole group to sing a song in their own language. To my surprise i recognized the song as the old hymn, "Power in the Blood." This song has particular meaning for me as it was one of the first i learned as a new believer, and for hearing it while a hippie, in Amsterdam, Holland, sung by about six hundred people in Dutch. A brother from Chile shared, in Spanish. I found that i actually understood some of the words, although not the main theme. I am understanding Portuguese a little better all the time although by the 4th or 5th hour of a meeting, my brain is tuning out. There were testimonies from brothers and sisters who serve in a dozen different countries, and several different skits by young people. At the end all of the missionaries were gathered together, prayed for, and had their feet washed. Also had many more personal encounters. One brother, with whose family i had stayed two years ago, related to me his journey with God after the death of his 3 month old daughter. Prayed for different people, saw several young people whom i have adopted spiritually. Received invitations to various cities. When i come here, there is an adjusting that i go through, and especially with the reality that so many people want to serve me in whatever way they can. May God be thanked for all of their lives.

Saturday, July 25, 2015

Brazil Visit # 4 Post 1

Presently i am attending the bi-annual missionary conference in Vitoria ( actually held in the neighboring city of Vila Velha.) The site is a school, the same location as 2 years ago. I am guessing in the neighborhood of one thousand attendees. Quite amazing to realize that i have more friends in Brazil than in the US. These first days there have been several workshops to choose from, both in the early and in mid morning. The first one that i attended was given by Adolpho, a friend from Canada, who is an immigration lawyer there. He presented much information for those who might wish to emigrate. Most of his listeners were young. Other workshops have included a missionary to Kurdistan. The most powerful was given by a brother who had formerly served in Nepal but is now ministering in Thailand. His preaching was laced with verses of Scripture that he had memorized, both powerful, and the first Brazilian whom i had heard do this. There are many people serving the attenders in various ways. The organization is amazing. In the evenings we have heard preaching by a brother who served as a missionary in Morocco for about a decade. The primary theme is that Muslims are people who need the gospel of Jesus Christ rather than enemies. Have received invitations to a number of places including other countries where Brazilian missionaries are serving. Also met a young American who is engaged to be married to a young Brazilian sister of my acquaintance. He has only studied Portuguese for 2 months so i have given him some pointers and encouragement. In the midst of all i have had good fellowship and wonderful hospitality from my host family. The wife knows a little English and is always asking me , Äre you hungry?"" Thankfully i have had some afternoon naps in the middle of all this excitement. People are continually greeting and speaking to me. I get their names and the city in which they live but there are so many and my memory is not what it was.

Friday, July 24, 2015

Arrival in Brazil

Yesterday arrived in Brazil for my fourth visit after twenty-eight hours of travel. Began Wednesday at 11 in the morning with a ride from my home to the bus station. Got there at noon and waited about 45 minutes. Took the bus to Boston arriving at 2 something. Waited for my next bus to the airport, arriving there at 3. Waited half an hour for friends to bring last minute items for a suitcase i was bringing for a different friend. They had a little tool with a hook that weighs the suitcase. It was about 20 pounds heavier than mine. Got my boarding passes ( did that the night before but irrelevant. Still needed new ones.) and went through security. By 4 am waiting for the plane that will not leave until 6, but "they"say get there 2 hours early. Boarded at 6 and met the most cheerful stewardess i have ever encountered. She could not stop smiling. ( Not a bad thing) The actual flight to New York only takes about 40 minutes but we spent about that in the plane on the tarmac so arrived about 7:30. Waited another ninety minutes to board the big bird to Sao Paulo. Even on international flights the seats are too small for my six-three ( 1 meter 90) height. As usual my knees were jammed into the seat in front of me. This flight took about 10 hours. Sat next to a young Brazilian woman with naturally red hair- very rare in Brazil. Arrived in Brazil Thursday morning and went through customs. They X rayed my suitcases and backpack for the first time. Found my Brazilian airline for the final flight to Espirito Santo. Waited again, this time for about 4 hours in which the gate was changed three times. One needs to keep checking. This flight i was in the very first row, with a mother and 3 year old child. We ended up speaking about my grandson and her daughter. Arrived in Vitoria, and by the grace of God, both suitcases arrived, as did my ride, a brother and friend named Alex. The international flight had given me dinner and a light breakfast, but by 3:30 in the afternoon I was hungry. We went to a classic Brazilian buffet restaurant, where you pay by weight. Finally we went to the home of Alex and his family, and i slept for 2 hours, which took the edge off before the meeting at 7:30

Monday, July 20, 2015

Getting Ready

God willing, this Wednesday I will depart for my 4th visit to Brazil, and remain there until mid-September. My agenda is not completely set. I am scheduled to go to a bi-annual missionary conference the day of my arrival which will last through the weekend. This is in Vitoria, Espirito Santo state. Will remain in that area at least until August 9th where i will attend a wedding. Have definite invitations to Brasilia, to a city near Campinas, and Fortaleza, and potential invites to any number of other places. I am doing the usual things, like a final clothes washing, stocking up on toiletries, bringing a few gifts. One thing that i want to prioritize is learning verses in Portuguese. I am currently working on Matthew 25:34. I know three others. My thought is to learn ones that i don't already know in English. Tonight i go to a welcome dinner the church is putting on for new Brazilian exchange students. Am thankful for the timing so i can have an opportunity to initiate relationships before i leave. Meanwhile we wait for the birth of my second grandson who is five days overdue. If given opportunities I hope to minister on the themes of the supremacy of the Word of God, persecution, and personal relationship with God. Am thankful for any and all prayers. Flexibility is the key for me in Brazil as i am not in control of my intra day schedule, don't have access to a phone or a car, and am dependent on other people for things that i would do myself in the states.

Tuesday, July 7, 2015

A Pastor from Nigeria

Last night I had the opportunity and privilege of speaking with a pastor from Nigeria. He is well known by a close friend and brother of mine, and has been studying at a local seminary for the past four years. His focus is Old Testament, which is vital for his work in evangelism of Muslims. He is from the northeastern part of Nigeria, a Muslim majority area, which in recent times has been beset by violence and persecution against Christians. People that he knows personally have been martyred for their faith. One story that he told was of his father in law, an ailing, retired military man. When radical Muslims wanted to force him to convert to Islam, he refused. He told them that if they killed him that he would go to be with Jesus and his earthly suffering would be over. They "decided" not to waste a bullet on him, and let him live. As this pastor has fellow shipped in American churches here, I asked him if he had any observations about the church in America. He is a meek man but had no hesitation in saying that he believed the biggest lack was in personal discipleship. When someone converts to follow Christ in Nigeria, they are immediately discipled by the person whom God used to lead him to Himself. He then used the phrase "culture of discipleship," that readers with good memories may recall me using in prior posts. This culture of discipleship, which is built on an expectation rather than an option, is the same thing that I have observed many times in the Brazilian context. I also asked if he thought that his seminary education had been beneficial. He responded in the affirmative but expressed his belief that every seminary should require a course in evangelism to Muslims for graduation. One tip that he gave had to do with the Muslim belief that prophets ( such as Mohammed) cannot lie. Since Muslims believe that Jesus was a prophet, this provides a door to introduce the teaching of Jesus because, as a prophet, He cannot lie. The pastor emphasized understanding Islamic culture and belief in order to minister effectively, and this from a man who plants churches in Muslim areas. He also emphasized the necessity of living out an exemplary Christian life, which he has known to result in Muslims trusting and respecting Christians over other Muslims. Finally I asked him what had impressed him most on his arrival to the US. He immediately answered "snow." He comes from a land where there is no snow. Upon his arrival in January he found the whole area covered. In a fascinating aside, he mentioned that this experience helped him to grasp the story of God's provision of manna for the people of Israel in the desert during the time of Moses.