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.