Determinação

Yesterday I experienced a very challenging situation trying to do something I have done successfully any number of times in the past. Needed to purchase airline tickets for two separate flights so prayed first. As I began my hostess said why don't I wait until her son, who speaks good English and translated for me previously, returns home. I thought, good counsel so I waited When he arrived we began the process of finding flights and then putting in all the information needed to fly these days. I forget if they wanted a copy of my 5th grade report card. We came to the end of the process and the airline website malfunctioned. We started allover and tried again with no success. Tried a different airline and the house Wi-Fi started slowing done. At this point, about 6pm his wife came from work. She is originally from a fishing village but works,as a purchasing agent for the city. She took over. The house Wi-Fi stopped working entirely. We walked to their apartment. For at least 2 hours she worked at the problem with great determination. One airline wouldn't accept my international credit card. She started allover with a different airline. After many problems she finally finished about 9pm. I wanted to bless them. They like pizza so I said I would buy it. There is no pizza places open in their neighborhood until Thursday and they don't have a car. So Thursday we'll have pizza. She ended up cooking a regional favorite after working all day, and all evening. Bless her abundantly, Lord.

Comunhão

True comunhão, or fellowship is one of the best blessings a,Christian receives on earth. With all the challenges of living in a different culture and struggling with a different language, fellowship with other believers is one of the things that makes it worthwhile. Recently had the opportunity to experience this with a young couple. I was served a light dinner, and then asked about my personal testimony. In the morning enjoyed breakfast and then was asked about a recent teaching I gave in a nearby city, and then any advice I might give regarding marriage. I mentioned Proverbs 20:5 which says "Wisdom in the heart of a man is deep waters; a man of wisdom will draw it out. When I reflect on this verse I think of the old wells with a wooden bucket attached to a rope which is lowered and raised by hand. This is,what they were doing in the Spirit. The generations have more relationship and interaction in Brazil than in the US. Each generation has something to offer to the others.

O Fim dos Tempos

In contrast to my blog posts in the years 2009 to 2016, I have tried to refrain from polemics and doctrinal disputes. While I have doctrinal convictions which I believe are founded in Scripture, I have learned the hard way that I am one of the least persuasive people of modern times no matter how many verses and passages that I can show. Typically there is no good fruit that comes from these interactions. In this post I am veering somewhat. In the last 5 years there has been a heightened interest in the end times, or fim dos tempos in Portuguese. I have heard much preaching on this subject and the perspective of a number of brethren. During my almost 54 years in the Lord, my entire adult life, I have heard many more perspectives. What stands out to me is how adamant the opinions have been although there is little consensus. Frankly I am weary of listening to it whether in preaching or personal conversation. I don't care. My purpose is to glorify God each and every day, and, if possible, encourage others to do the same. My trust is in God through Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit for however it works out and whatever the sequence of events is. The reader does not have to agree with my personal stance.

Retiro da Pascoa

The Passover retreat (Retiro da Páscoa) has been held in the city of Vitória for an association of churches for 40 years. Vinci, its leader, shepherds congregations from many parts of Brazil and other countries. Canada, Chile, and Scotland were represented. This gathering is for the pastors and other leaders of these churches. IT began Thursday and continues thru Sunday. About 450 people are participating. There is exuberant joy as brethren greet one another that they may not have seen for a whole year. There are times of worship, prayer is emphasized, announcements are given about upcoming gatherings like a youth retreat and an evangelistic outreach to a poor area of Brazil called Sertao. There is a lot of teaching, both to the whole group and also on Saturday several teachings for pastors, women, and other leaders separately. I see friends that God gave me from previous visits and receive invitations to visit. I attempt to follow the messages in Portuguese. I am offerred translators regularly but will never learn if I always receive translation.

Samir

Probably my best friend in Brazil is a brother named Samir. I first met him in 2012 at a retreat in New Hampshire. He lives in the south of Brazil, is married, has two daughters and has a serious love and commitment to the Lord. We have enjoyed true fellowship in this last week. He has learned decent English over our association so he speaks in English and I speak Portuguese so we can help each other. Two expressions I taught him were "rabbit food,"(salad) and "the best for last." He helped me immensely with several major problems, advocated for me to teach, and helped me have fellowship with one of the church leaders. Today he takes me to the airport as I begin a travel day to Vitória. May our Lord Jesus bless him as he has blessed me.

Rapazes

Had a wonderful 2 hour enconter with 4 young guys (rapazes) of 13 or 14 who are studying English. They had discovered that I am a history nut and wanted to ask me questions. They are homeschooling and it shows. Frankly they knew more about American history than most Americans. They asked me questions about the Kennedy assassination, the Civil War and who was my favorite President. (Calvin Coolidge) Each had a series of questions with some written down. They also asked about where I was born, where I lived now and about my salvation testimony. I explained about words like cover-up and fall guy. Their English was conversational and I think they understood most of what I said. I was very impressed. I encouraged them to memorize verses of the Bible and I would not be surprised to learn that they actually do it. Afterwards we had two kinds of chocolate cake and pão de queijo, a very popular small, round piece of bread based with cheese inside.

Três horas

I wonder how many American Christians would be willing to gather for three hours (três horas) on a Sunday morning with more fellowship afterwards? The community church in Porto Alegre just did. I am told the church has about 1,200 people. It is quite diverse in age, socio economic status and color. The gentleman on my right turns 89 later this month. On my left was a woman with a 3 year old. The service began with greeting and worship facilitated by a team of seven, with 3 guitars, a drummer, a keyboard player and 2 vocalists. Brazilians are very expressive in their worship. Then six people were baptized and prayed for with the worship team playing. Announcements came next, first about an upcoming all church retreat, and then about a youth retreat. We then observed the Lord's Supper with about a thousand people. They shares little pieces of the bread with one another and use real wine. Then one of the elders led us in prayer for members of the congregation who were sick or in the hospital. There are eight or nine elders who share duties jointly. There is no hierarchy. These are humble men Three couples who had labored for many years in youth ministry were released to pursue other ministry as they were shown appreciation and received prayer. Finally the preaching was ministered by a brother from the congregation who has been sent out to minister in other countries, principally in Europe. He taught on the three fold ministry of Jesus as prophet,priest and king,and how men specifically were to follow His example. At one point all the men stood up to pray for their family members and disciples. Perhaps the highlight was the pure joy expressed as people greeted one another. It was heart warming for me to observe.

Porto Alegre

Porto Alegre (roughly Happy Port) is the major city in the southernmost state in Brazil called Rio Grande do Sul, or great river of the south. This is my 4th or 5th visit overall. Greeted by my good friend Samir at rhe airport which like most of the city was inundated by major flooding last year. Am hosted by a couple, one a retired engineer, and his wife who has an art school on the premises. She specializes in mosaics. The property is like a museum with an overwhelming array of art works, antiques, artifacts and knickknacks. It really deserves a documentary. At night there has been a series of teachings by an Argentinian brother on the theme of the family. This church has about 1200 people. Seeing brethren from prior visits and speaking with new friends. One co.mon question that I receive is how have I learned Portuguese? I reply that I am still learning and not fluent. The actual answer is through various computer programs, periods of immersion and daily reading the Bible in Portuguese.