Brazil Visit # 5 Final Post

Ah, Brazil. Unfortunately not very close to the Northeastern US. Visited five churches in five cities in five weeks ranging from the small interior town of Carangola ( MG) to the large city of Porto Alegre. Was asked to share the Word of God nine times, three in Portuguese without a translator to house groups, married couples, pastors, and three general church gatherings. Topics included women, kingdom of God, prayer, personal relationship with God, the Word of God, and depending on the Spirit. Enjoyed the usual, extraordinary hospitality, saw old friends. Ate as sparingly as my culturally driven host (esses) would allow, and except for the excess quantity would cheerfully eat only Brazilian food for the rest of my life. Had some nice walks, although not enough, and attended a conference on meeting in homes. Read some good books, in English and Portuguese. Was bitten numerous times by hungry insects eager for a "gringo" dessert and, by the grace of God, do not seem to have contracted any diseases. Finally saw a video of the ( famous in Brazil) Paul Washer and was favorably impressed. My many Brazilian "chauffeurs" graciously declined to kill me on the roads. The return journey was the usual endurance contest beginning at 11:30 Thursday morning in the south of Brazil and ending about 2:30 Friday afternoon at my home, sleepless and cranky. About half of this is actual travel, by car, bus and plane, and the rest is waiting in airports and bus stations. My Portuguese improved a little and, as usual, people said that they understood me. Unfortunately I did not understand them as well.