Brazil Visit 5, Post 12

As in the US there are two Brazils. One is characterized by little hole in the wall businesses, street beggars, broken buildings, a horse trying to find grass in a yard with no grass, and substantial drug use. The other has nice cars, good education, tightly secured homes, modern technology and shopping centers that would not be out of place in the US. Last night was asked if i wanted to see a movie. Normally I don't as the vast majority openly advocating things contrary and hostile to God but my friend assured me that there were three Christian movies playing. We saw one, "Risen," in the US, and titled "Resurrection" in Brazil. This is the first movie i have seen in this country. The cost was a little less than the US equivalent to about $7 and the seats quite comfortable. There was English language music playing as we entered the theatre. About half of all music one hears in Brazil, in any context, is in English. I find it fascinating that the word for advertisement in Portuguese is "propaganda." There were 2 Coca-Cola commercials, very popular in Brazil. Eventually the film began. The story involves a Roman tribune ( high ranking, socially elite officer) who is given the duty by Pontius Pilate of finding out what happened to the body of Jesus after the tomb is found empty. Although this is fictitious the plot line is woven into the Biblical account reasonably well. Unfortunately the film depicted Jesus as a mystic and His followers as befuddled, happy dudes. Today is a rest day. Went to the typical buffet restaurant for the mid day meal. Had a good time of prayer in the afternoon.

Brazil Visit 5, Post 11

During this last weekend I attended a conference. The speaker was a man who with another brother planted what is now a very large church in the city of Salvador, Bahia. They now have many other churches in their association. Despite having thousands ofcommitted people they meet almost exclusively in homes. This was the thrust of his messages, three each on Friday and Saturday, and one on Sunday. The church that i am visiting of about two thousand people has always had home groups but also regular Sunday meetings for the whole church. Recently they decided to give up their building and rent another one Sunday a month for whole church gatherings. This is possible because of the strong, healthy bonds of discipleship that most people have. Although Mario shared on many things several points stuck out to me. One was a repeated statement about depending on the Holy Spirit rather than personal abilities, and the second, somewhat surprisingly given the reputation of the church in Bahia, was an acknowledgement that disciplers must not exercise undue control over the lives of those whom they disciple. He also tackled such difficult subjects as head coverings ( individual conviction), women silent ( cannot teach the Word in mixed groups) and the role of men as heads of families. The principal passages covered were Acts 2\42-47 and 1 Corinthians chapters 11 thru 14. I was told that approximately 1300 attended. Children from 3 to 9 were ministered to separately with those younger or older remaining with their parents. On Sunday we shared communion together. Everything was well organized.

Brazil Visit 5, Post 10

Although the google blogger feature is easy enough for a technological caveman like myself to use, there is one aggravating feature. I carefully paragraph my posts but Google condenses them into one long paragraph, which must be disconcerting for readers. Last Wednesday I flew to Porto Alegre in the south of Brazil. My friend Samir picked me up, we had a quick bite to eat, and then went to the weekly prison outreach at a center for juvenile boys. There were about thirty brothers assembled, some with guitars or hand drums, and after the usual bureaucratic snafu we were allowed in. We were divided into four teams which went to different rooms. I don't know the difference but our room had about a dozen guys who looked about 15. It was ridiculously easy to enter the prison. We wrote our names and document numbers on a piece of paper but were not searched. Perhaps the reality that the brothers have been going for four years makes a difference. We gave short testimonies and then a offer of salvation was made. Many responded and were given a little book and some candy. Afterwards i asked a friend who told me that 98% of the guys had no effective father in their lives. The prison itself was bare concrete everything exceptfor a picture of Jesus on one wall, something that i am certain would not be permitted in a US government building. They did have a TV and a simulation soccer game that they could play. Sad. Then I was taken to my host's home. This is a family that I have come to know through previous visits, a blind husband, his wife, and three adult children. The oldest is a surgeon, the second an accountant, and the third is an English teacher at an exclusive English school. The second son married in the interim between my visits but the others, 25 and 30 years old live at home, which seems common for unmarried adult children.

Brazil Visit 5, Post 9

One of the most common questions that I receive in Brazil is, "Do you know (of) Paul Washer. Actually I don't but the other night my current host family played a video of his based on Revelation 20:11-15 on the judgement. This type of message is rarely preached in the US so I understand the controversy. However after listening to the video, and not going in with any particular opinion, I will say that he presented the Scripture with clarity, accuracy, and compassion. This teaching should not be neglected. The next topic is directed primarily at foreign readers who receive their understanding of the US and its people primarily through the media including music and movies. These present a very biased and distorted view of things American. Most of the Internet, newspapers, television and magazines present a leftist political viewpoint and are controlled by the elite. The few conservative outlets are rarely Christian. Many Americians do not agree with or support the values presented. 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 say "And even if our gospel is veiled it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God." This agrees with 2Thessalonians 2:9ff which reads, " The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved." In the USA tapioca is usually thought of as pudding. In Brazil it takes a different form. It is white, very chewy, and is folded like a taco shell around various ingredients, either salty or sweet. I do not know what the auto insurance policies are like in Brazil but I observe an extraordinary willingness for the brethren here to share and offer their vehicles to others in the church, especially for longer journeys. '

Brazil Visit 5, Post 8

Am amazed at the personal sacrifices that my hosts are willing to make. After feeding me, washing my clothes, indulging my penchant for walking for exercise and many other things they are also willing to drive me long distances rather than have me take a bus. One brother did this twice traveling many hours out of his way. Another took a whole day off work to drive me to my next destination. As I have mentioned in the past driving in Brazil is no picnic. We are not cruising down the Interstate. Once again flexability and preparation are the key. Arrived in Vitoria not knowing if I would be asked to preach. About 3 hours before the meeting began I received the invitation. Thankfully God had been speaking to me about several things,and I had prayed and made notes in the morning. I spoke about the return of the Lord and about depending on the Holy Spirit in our weakness as Paul writes of in 2 Corinthians 12. Was blessed with a skilled translator although I am thankful for everyone who translates for me. Afterwards was blessed with a number of greetings and conversations with friends from my previous four visits to this city. Yesterday my host family took me to the beach. We walked along a trail through the woods in extreme heat, and then parallel to the ocean until we reached a sandy area about 100 yards wide with the ocean on one side and a lagoon on the other. The freshwater lagoon was literally like bathwater. Not very many people were there so it was very tranquil. Despite a sun umbrella, liberal applications ( i.e. plural) of sunscreen, and very little time in the sun I burned. Now my normally pinkish skin has turned red. I feel like an albino in Brazil. Today I meet other friends for the midday meal and fellowship in the afternoon. I plan to stay indoors as much as possible.

Brazil visit 5, Post 7

Last night while walking along the river in the dark my host showed me two animals that i think are called capybaras. They are nocturnal, a size of a hog and able to swim on or underwater. They were difficult to see in the trees and underbrush and I only got a glimpse before they went into the river. They must be strong swimmers because the current is fierce with recent rain. Last night I was also given an opportunity to speak to the four pastors of the church here and their wives about prayer. After giving a brief summary of my personal testimony we looked at 2 verses in 1 Samuel, ( 3:19 and 12:23) before going to the New Testament. The theme was the importance of praying for those whom they are shepherding. Today I visited the business in which my host and other relatives are involved. They take a type of vinyl that is similar to what i have seen on shower curtains and produce various items for distribution. About eighty people work there, nine hours daily and eight on Friday with a 90 minute break for the midday meal. They are paid a monthly salary. My Portuguese must be improving a little as I told 2 jokes during the midday meal today. Also resolved to have a daily time of prayer exclusively in Portuguese in addition to the others in English. Finished memorizing Psalm 23 in Portuguese. Will meet with a house group tonight with 35 or 40 people and share on the Word of God itself.

Brazil Visit #5, Post 6

Yesterday had a nice walk along the river in the center of the city. The recent rain has caused the river to flow higher but i don't know if the muddy yellow-brown color is normal. Last night I was given the opportunity to share with five home group leaders and my host pastor on the theme of depending on God. Read another chapter of Andrew Murray's book "Absolute Surrender," which focussed on the difference between independence from as opposed to dependence on God. Without total surrender we will not fully depend on God. I believe that our independence from God, rooted in sin, is the heart of pride. Prayer reflects dependence on God. We are saying that we cannot live the life that He requires on our own strength or abilities. Murray used the example of Peter prior to the Day of Pentecost as his example. Peter left all, followed Jesus, walked on water (for a little while) and was prominent among the apostles. Yet in the time of testing he denied Jesus three times. He was not yet fully surrendered to God. Denying ourselves, taking up our cross daily and following Jesus ( Luke 9:23) requires a constant reception of God's grace, power, anointing etc. Perhaps this is why we are to pray without ceasing. The men were receptive and we had a blessed time of prayer afterwards, both intense and fervent. It was a privilege for me to speak to them, and their patience was considerable as there was no translator. Afterwards my hostess had a made a very rich chocolate cake. She is a Proverbs 31 woman, always serving joyfully. One of the brothers showed me a picture on his phone of a white horse that he owns. The name of the horse. James Bond.

Brazil Visit 5, Post 5

Saturday evening the church in Carangola met in the garage of the pastor's home. He and two others played guitar to facilitate worship, and then I was asked to preach the Word, which I did about God's ardent desire to have personal relationship with us. Afterwards my host family and i went to a different part of the city and had Brazilian hamburgers which were quite good. Their sixteen month son played on a regular size trampoline with netted sides to prevent anyone falling out. Apparently a family bought this trampoline and sets it up in a cul de sac. I don't know when they started but they did not disassemble it until 11PM. The price is two reais ( 55 cents) for ten minutes. The wife of my friend said that she could make more money with a trampoline business than as an English teacher with a bachelor's degree. Sunday we went to a lake with a little restaurant and had fish and other food for the midday meal. Then we began the interminable journey to my new location of Ponta Nova. We got lost or turned around, asked for directions multiple times, had continual cloudbursts with as heavy a rain as i have ever experienced on the usual winding 2 lane country roads which, due to hordes of slow trucks (15 to 20 MPH), and constant speed bumps, make travel an endurance contest. The next time i go on a long trip by car i am going to count the speed bumps. I think there must have been a thousand.I did have the opportunity to share my testimony in Portugese, i think for the first time. Received by my new host family along with two other couples. Actually understood most of what was said. Was asked about the elections, and what Americans think of Brazil. Responded that the candidates reflect the judgment of God on the US, and that most Americans know very little about Brazil. Tonight have been asked to share the Word again and will focus on surrendering to God in the process of sanctification.

Brazil visit 5, post 4

One of my favorite Brazilian foods is called "doce de leite, or sweet milk." In its commercial form it is like a very dense pudding. Yesterday I bought the organic, natural variety which is far different, not nearly as sweet, although it tastes good with cinnamon sprinkled on top, and more of a liquid than a solid. Last night was invited to a Brazilian BBQ at a home of a Christian family. They had steak and sausage with garlic bread. One of the secrets seems to be a coarse, granular salt which the meat is rubbed in before cooking. After grilling it is sliced into little strips which people eat as they come off the grill. We had about eight adults and five children. One phenomenon which i have witnessed a number of times is that it was the pastor who slaved over the hot grill and not the owner of the house. This is a good example of servant leadership. Afterwards i shared some on the importance of prayer, particularly for married couples as this group were all married. Many years ago i read that only 1% of Christian couples in the US who pray together regularly ever get divorced whereas in the general population as many Christians as nonChristians divorce. As I have mentioned in previous visits 90% of the translators that help me are doing this in public for the first time. They have some level of English but have never actually translated for someone. Last night God blessed me with a far more skilled translator who eventually told me that I did not need to pause so often. Today we return to Espera Feliz for the midday meal, and later return for the general meeting of the church where i have been asked to preach the Word again.

Brazil Visit 5, Post 3

Tuesday was a long miserable day of travel beginning at 6/30 in the morning and ending after midnight. Now I had prayed for suffering the day before along the lines of 1 Peter 4:1. "Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking because whoever who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin." Unfortunately the stress of travel was probably not what Peter had in mind when he wrote the verse. Madrugada is the word in Portuguese for the time period between midnight and sunrise. This happens to be Brazilians favorite time of the day. I am staying in a small city ( Carangola) in the interior of the state of Minas Gerais. ( General Mines). Carangola lies in a little valley surrounded by hills and steep cliffs. This is my second visit. I think that Carangola has more dogs than people. I counted eighteen on my walk this morning. The streets in this neighborhood are quite steep providing very good exercise as I chug along behind my 29 year old friend Thiago. It is summer here so quite hot. I am not adjusted as it is winter in the US. The roosters crow early, and they with chickens, cats and dogs roam the streets looking for food. The family with whom i am staying has a sixteen month old boy who can already do things on a cell phone, plug a cord into the wall, not to mention continual movement. Two nights ago i went to a "grupo caseiro," ( house group meeting. A brother named Gilberto shared on the theme of tribulation. Last night we went to a neighboring city called Espera Feliz, where i was asked to teach on the kingdom of God. Apparently this made considerable impact, obviously the work of the Holy Spirit. This morning we walked to an open air market, held every Friday, and Thiago purchased vegetables and other fresh items. A little river winds thru the town and we walk over many old bridges. My Portuguese slowly improves but often I don't get the details. Tonight I am asked to speak to a group of married couples.

Brazil Visit 5, Post 2

Takes a little longer with each trip to adjust. Slept a lot on Saturday. Weather turned warmer, probably close to 90F today. was blessed with the opportunity to visit the little church plant in Salto Pirapora this morning and share the Word of God. The name of this city refers to a type of fish found in its streams which is then salted, or was. The group is small with about five men, ten women or teenage girls, and about fifteen younger children. I had been asked to speak on the theme of women as Brazil celebrated International Women,s Day today, which we do not have in the US. After a few introductory verses showing equal worth and value for women, we looked at the story of Hannah in 1 Samuel chapters 1&2 noting her perseverance in prayer, humility, that she kept her promise to give her first born to the Lord should He give her one, which meant that she would see her son only once a year, and the nature of her prayer recorded in chapter 2, verses 1 to 10. That this prayer, one of very few from a woman in the Bible, was recorded for all future readers, is a great honor for Hannah. What is further remarkable is that nowhere in this prayer does she ask God for anything. The entire prayer is proclaiming who God is and what He has done. Saturday had lunch with two of the young guys who are renting the little studio apartments in the back. One was born of Brazilian parents but lived most of his life in Greece, returning to Brazil three years ago. The other seemed to know quite a lot about animal husbandry, of which topic the conversation revolved. I got the gist although not the details with 4 guys speaking quickly at once. Tonight i watched a video of a different church in the same city that my host was the pator of. I am a little confused with the chronology. Am reading a book edited by Ravi Zacharis consisting of essays by his staff, titled "Beyond Opinion." Heady but valuable stuff. Can't help contrasting it with the people today about whom James wrote in chapter 2, verse 5. "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."

Brazil Visit 5 Post 1

Yesterday at 7 in the morning began my marathon journey to Brazil and arrived at my destination about mid day today. I prefer not to describe all the waiting and traveling. I do not "travel well." Was welcomed by my first host family in the state of Sao Paulo. As always Brazilian Christians give extraordinary hospitality. Discovered that considerable progress has been made on the two little apartments begun during my last trip. One more month should find them finished. My host said he thought my Portuguese had improved some. Glory to God. By grace this family provides almost total immersion. Even when i spoke in Portuguese to my seat mate on the plane to Brazil, she, a Brazilian, responded in English. The weather is mild, perhaps 70 today, much better than the 19 degrees when i awoke Thursday morning. On the drive from the airport in Sao Paulo to the interior we followed a winding canal for many kilometers which had a little muddy light brown water. The canal divided multi lanes roads going in opposite directions. God is convicting me about ministering the gospel to those who are perishing.I have no excuse. I need to pray for His compassion for them every single day. 1 John 5:16 speaks about a sin that leads to death. As I recall the commentators think that this is either the unforgiveable sin against the Holy Spirit or murder. Today another possibility struck me. If we do not minister the gospel to those whom God has put in our path, and they perish, have we not committed sin that leads to their eternal death. I recognize that this raises all sorts of theological debate re predestination etc. and in no way do i insist on this interpretation but it does raise the question for me. In any event i need to proclaim the gospel of the kingdom.