Brazil 4-16

Brazilian hospitality is extraordinary, but sometimes can be overwhelming. Yesterday had five different meals in five separate locations. This seems to be normal, and i am learning to eat less at each meal. In the morning a young college student gave me a tour of the city in his car. We stopped at a little coffee shop. Full fledged cake is often served for breakfast. While i like Brazilian food this is one habit i don't plan to begin. The fresh squeezed juice was superb. Later he dropped me off at the home of a different family for the mid day meal. The older daughter served me, and i kept saying "less, less, less." Somewhere around five at the home of my hosts something called "lanch" was served. I declined most of it except some liquid yougurt because i knew more meals were coming. About seven was served a hot dog and bun at the home of my hosts' son and wife. Was offered more but declined. Finally about 11PM after a house group meeting, a virtual parade of women and teenage girls came by offering more hot dogs, pizza, some little bread treat, cookies, and finally birthday cake. I said no three or four times for every time i said yes. This morning i was greeted by my hostess with a big smile offering me bread with cheese that she was pulling out of the oven. One does not come to Brazil to lose weight. On a more serious note had a number of conversations. My tour guide told me about how much American history that Brazilian students study. Given the current state of American ( indoctrination) education, the Brazilians probably more more about our history than most of us do. My mid day host and i discussed discipleship. The church here has grown significantly even though its two pastors both work full time. They don't rely on Sunday general meetings as there are only two per month. House group meetings attended by people in the same "bairro" (neighborhood) is one key. More importantly the disciples are continually in one another's homes, with constant edification. In addition disciplers have time with their disciples regularly. They have an emphasis on good works, actively helping others in many ways. At the son's home i was asked about american politics. It is distressing but inevitable to discover that Brazil has the same problems with its political class as we do here. Last night went to two home group meetings. The first was in a very poor area. The only car outside belonged to the leader who lives in a different area. A burro was cropping at a tiny piece of grass, and the inner door had about twenty-five pairs of sandals at the door step. I was told earlier than one way that people know that i am a gringo is that i wear sneakers instead of sandals. The kitchen was crowded with people, many on the floor. We listened to several testimonies, and i was reminded of the verse in James 2:5 that says "Listen my beloved brothers, How is it that God has chosen those who are poor in the eyes of this world to be rich in faith, and to inherit the kingdom that God has promised to those who love Him." Shared a little about the importance of mutual encouragement and testimonies using 1 Cor. 14:26, 1 Thessalonians 5:11, Hebrews 3:13, and 10:24-25. The second home group meeting was held at the home of my friend Fafa, where i stayed two years ago in my first visit to the city. This group has about thirty adults and close to twenty children of various ages. Here i spoke about the ardent desire of God for personal relationship with us.