After my summer in Brazil, i began the journey home about 1:15 in the afternoon, local time. (Coastal Brazil is one hour ahead of Eastern Standard Time) A brother named Paulo picked me up in his Toyota Corolla and took me to the airport about twenty minutes away. He does not speak English. After a summer of immersion I can have a slow, basic conversation in Portuguese but i miss the details. He made sure that I was all set- fortunately the young woman at the counter spoke English- not a given. I waited in the lounge for some friends but due to my lack of tech skills i wasn't sure if anyone was coming and i was concerned about missing the plane.
The first flight to Sao Paulo was about one hour and twenty minutes flying time. Brazilian stewards or stewardesses tend to be much younger than their American counterparts. Sao Paulo is by far the largest metropolitan area in the country but i searched in vain for any place that might sell a newspaper or books. I had seen such a store in the Vitoria airport whose population is 1/25th of Sao Paulo's but thought i have more time (six and a half hours) in Sao Paulo to wait. Going through customs took an hour because of the number of people waiting and the few people working. All of the customs people that i saw were attractive young women in uniforms and not a gun in sight. In contrast the American customs agents were men with a gun each.
So I waited a long time in the SP airport, ate some unpleasant food, and finally boarded about 10:30 at night. Thankfully my friend Wanderley had blessed me with a upgraded seat with additional legroom plus there was no one sitting next to me which made the eleven hour flight easier. Going through US customs was quicker and more efficient. Had a nice long walk through the airport to the departure area of the flight to Boston. Every seat was filled on this one so i am thankful that it was only two hours. Arrived at noon and my friend Sanford picked me up for the 2 hour drive to our house. Arrived about 2 in the afternoon, unpacked and took a nap as I don't have the ability to sleep on planes.
Two things that i could not find in Brazil were chocolate chip cookies and peanut butter. ( They have peanuts). Thank you, God, for safe travels.
Friday, August 30, 2013
Monday, August 26, 2013
Reino de Deus ( Kingdom of God)
As E. T. (in a previous post some weeks ago I explained how a young Brazilian friend of mine had compared me to the movie character ET because i am so foreign in Brazil- i thought this was very funny) prepares to return home, I find myself reflecting on what God has done in my life these past three months. Several days of rather intense travel await me so i may not post again until the end of the week.
Probably the most important thing that I have experienced is the pages of the New Testament actually being lived out in the lives of both individuals and groups, small and large, in a way that I have rarely, if ever, seen in the US. Again and again and again i have witnessed and received people doing what the Bible says. during my almost three months I have visited dozens of churches (groups) in five separate states and the Federal District ( like washington, DC), and interacted with hundreds of different people. I have stayed at fourteen different houses (some more than once) and spoken both one on one and in groups repeatedly. I have experienced hospitality, generosity and kindness on a scale unprecedented in my forty-two years of Christian life.
The common denominator to all of this is something that all of these different people and groups refer to as the kingdom of God. The foundations of this are as follows:
Jesus Christ as Lord, not just Savior (Romans 10:9)
Obeying His command to make disciples: ( Matthew 28:18-20)
The understanding that everyone needs someone to personally disciple them.
Submission to the Lordship of Christ is theoretical unless this also involves submission to human authority.
The supreme purpose of God is to make every believer into the image of Jesus Christ as sons of God to the glory of God the Father, and that we must die to ourselves in order for this to occur.
The biggest obstacle to this in the US is our cultural (beliefs and behaviors) which is founded on rebellion, anarchy, and personal independence. May God grant us repentance.
Those who read Portuguese may wish to access the blog of my friend and co-laborer in Christ, Samir at samirmachado.blogspot.com
Probably the most important thing that I have experienced is the pages of the New Testament actually being lived out in the lives of both individuals and groups, small and large, in a way that I have rarely, if ever, seen in the US. Again and again and again i have witnessed and received people doing what the Bible says. during my almost three months I have visited dozens of churches (groups) in five separate states and the Federal District ( like washington, DC), and interacted with hundreds of different people. I have stayed at fourteen different houses (some more than once) and spoken both one on one and in groups repeatedly. I have experienced hospitality, generosity and kindness on a scale unprecedented in my forty-two years of Christian life.
The common denominator to all of this is something that all of these different people and groups refer to as the kingdom of God. The foundations of this are as follows:
Jesus Christ as Lord, not just Savior (Romans 10:9)
Obeying His command to make disciples: ( Matthew 28:18-20)
The understanding that everyone needs someone to personally disciple them.
Submission to the Lordship of Christ is theoretical unless this also involves submission to human authority.
The supreme purpose of God is to make every believer into the image of Jesus Christ as sons of God to the glory of God the Father, and that we must die to ourselves in order for this to occur.
The biggest obstacle to this in the US is our cultural (beliefs and behaviors) which is founded on rebellion, anarchy, and personal independence. May God grant us repentance.
Those who read Portuguese may wish to access the blog of my friend and co-laborer in Christ, Samir at samirmachado.blogspot.com
Sunday, August 25, 2013
Testimonies of Reconciliation
Friday evening i was invited to the home of one of the pastors named Beto. Another brother prepared the classic Brazilian BBQ for about a dozen of us including children. After the meal another pastor asked one of the sisters if she would share her testimony with me. She spoke in reasonably slow Portuguese, with summaries by Wanderley in English.
About fifteen years ago as an unbeliever in Christ she married another unbeliever. At some point thereafter they had a son. The husband abandoned the family and began living with another woman. The wife has a brother who was separated from his wife. They came to Christ, reconciled and began to pray for and minister to the first woman. (Sorry, I don't remember all the names.) Occasionally the first woman's husband would come by to see his son. At one time they were intimate and she became pregnant while he continued to live with the other woman who also became pregnant at the same time
The first woman (the wife) received Jesus as Lord and Savior during the pregnancy. Her other relatives and friends were urging her to divorce her husband. At five months she discovered that she was carrying twins but the doctors were adamant that only one would live, and that the other would be born dead. She was urged to have an abortion. She refused and carried the children until they were born prematurely at seven months about three pounds each. Both lived. (The church was praying mightily throughout this experience) Meanwhile her brother is ministering to her errant husband. She was invited to a retreat 40 days after childbirth. The husband came also. He received Christ, and they began a period of reconciliation. Finally he left the other woman, who had also borne him a child fifteen days from when the twins were born, to return to his wife. She is turn began to minister to the other woman, who eventually received Christ. I should mention that the wife is neither helpless nor dependent, but attractive, educated and is a professional psychiatrist with a good job.
Today, some years later this couple enjoys a happy marriage. Her refusal to divorce or abort, and her willingness to forgive led to the salvation of at least two souls and to her own happiness. A week earlier i heard a similar testimony about a woman who had abandoned her husband, lived in an illicit relationship for five years, rejected her Christian family members, but eventually repented, came back to her husband, who forgave and received her. I trust that these testimonies speak for themselves of the power of God.
About fifteen years ago as an unbeliever in Christ she married another unbeliever. At some point thereafter they had a son. The husband abandoned the family and began living with another woman. The wife has a brother who was separated from his wife. They came to Christ, reconciled and began to pray for and minister to the first woman. (Sorry, I don't remember all the names.) Occasionally the first woman's husband would come by to see his son. At one time they were intimate and she became pregnant while he continued to live with the other woman who also became pregnant at the same time
The first woman (the wife) received Jesus as Lord and Savior during the pregnancy. Her other relatives and friends were urging her to divorce her husband. At five months she discovered that she was carrying twins but the doctors were adamant that only one would live, and that the other would be born dead. She was urged to have an abortion. She refused and carried the children until they were born prematurely at seven months about three pounds each. Both lived. (The church was praying mightily throughout this experience) Meanwhile her brother is ministering to her errant husband. She was invited to a retreat 40 days after childbirth. The husband came also. He received Christ, and they began a period of reconciliation. Finally he left the other woman, who had also borne him a child fifteen days from when the twins were born, to return to his wife. She is turn began to minister to the other woman, who eventually received Christ. I should mention that the wife is neither helpless nor dependent, but attractive, educated and is a professional psychiatrist with a good job.
Today, some years later this couple enjoys a happy marriage. Her refusal to divorce or abort, and her willingness to forgive led to the salvation of at least two souls and to her own happiness. A week earlier i heard a similar testimony about a woman who had abandoned her husband, lived in an illicit relationship for five years, rejected her Christian family members, but eventually repented, came back to her husband, who forgave and received her. I trust that these testimonies speak for themselves of the power of God.
Brasilia (3)
Last Monday had a very enjoyable time with my new friend Thiago. He is a fervent, personable young man who loves the Lord and is actively involved in mentoring and discipling younger people in his church. He also feels led to begin to learn English, one of several people who have been inspired by my efforts to learn their language of Portuguese.
Yesterday I was blessed with an opportunity to share with the disciplemakers in the church here on the subject of discipleship, something so often neglected or misunderstood in the US, but actively practiced by many churches in Brazil. I began with what Jesus says at the end of Matthew 28, and went on to talk about four principal qualities of a disciple as laid out by Christ.
1. Luke 14:33 Living a simple life so we can devote all to the Lord
2. John 8:31-32 Abiding in the Word of God
3. John 13:34-35 Loving our brothers and sisters by receiving the love of God for ourselves personally ( 1 John 4:19) and giving this to others
4. John 15:8 Bearing much fruit. As frogs produce other frogs so disciples must produce other disciples
Then gave the example of Tychicus and his journey with Onesimus with letters from Paul in prison in Rome to Colosse, Ephesus, Philemon, and possibly Philippi. What if something had happened to Tychicus? Then Onesimus would have to be ready to carry the letters (the Word of God) to their recipients through such potential dangers as Paul lists in 2 Corinthians 11:23ff.
Finally expressed my understanding based on 1 Timothy 3:5, and Titus 1:6 that a man's first responsibility of discipleship is his spouse and children.
Later that evening was invited to a ceremony/party of formal engagement of the son of one of the pastors to the daughter of one of the brothers.Each of the respective parents shared a little. Brazilians are great jokers, and the father of the prospective bride solemnly took out a pair of glasses, gave it to his daughter (who does not need them to see), asked her to put them on and take a good look at her prospective husband. The dad then said, "Now that you can see him, do you still want to marry him?" Of course, she said yes. After this we prayed for the young couple. I was asked to share a little, which I did from Ephesians 5:32 where Paul speaks of the "great mystery."
The meal and table settings were elegant. Some of the young people dressed up like waiters from a fancy restaurant to serve us. One of the brothers, a professional chef from an expensive Italian restaurant, prepared the food for forty people gratis. Several sisters made desserts, called "sobremesa," in Portuguese, which means, on the table. God is good.
Yesterday I was blessed with an opportunity to share with the disciplemakers in the church here on the subject of discipleship, something so often neglected or misunderstood in the US, but actively practiced by many churches in Brazil. I began with what Jesus says at the end of Matthew 28, and went on to talk about four principal qualities of a disciple as laid out by Christ.
1. Luke 14:33 Living a simple life so we can devote all to the Lord
2. John 8:31-32 Abiding in the Word of God
3. John 13:34-35 Loving our brothers and sisters by receiving the love of God for ourselves personally ( 1 John 4:19) and giving this to others
4. John 15:8 Bearing much fruit. As frogs produce other frogs so disciples must produce other disciples
Then gave the example of Tychicus and his journey with Onesimus with letters from Paul in prison in Rome to Colosse, Ephesus, Philemon, and possibly Philippi. What if something had happened to Tychicus? Then Onesimus would have to be ready to carry the letters (the Word of God) to their recipients through such potential dangers as Paul lists in 2 Corinthians 11:23ff.
Finally expressed my understanding based on 1 Timothy 3:5, and Titus 1:6 that a man's first responsibility of discipleship is his spouse and children.
Later that evening was invited to a ceremony/party of formal engagement of the son of one of the pastors to the daughter of one of the brothers.Each of the respective parents shared a little. Brazilians are great jokers, and the father of the prospective bride solemnly took out a pair of glasses, gave it to his daughter (who does not need them to see), asked her to put them on and take a good look at her prospective husband. The dad then said, "Now that you can see him, do you still want to marry him?" Of course, she said yes. After this we prayed for the young couple. I was asked to share a little, which I did from Ephesians 5:32 where Paul speaks of the "great mystery."
The meal and table settings were elegant. Some of the young people dressed up like waiters from a fancy restaurant to serve us. One of the brothers, a professional chef from an expensive Italian restaurant, prepared the food for forty people gratis. Several sisters made desserts, called "sobremesa," in Portuguese, which means, on the table. God is good.
Friday, August 23, 2013
Brasilia ( 3)
The days begin to blend into each other. The church here has approximately 300 people whom I am meeting a few at a time as they have whole church meetings once a month with many smaller groups meeting during the month. Each day or evening i am meeting a different group of people. Last night was mostly middle aged married couples. They are being discipled by Wanderley & Marta, and in turn they disciple others. One, named Edward, is a very intelligent fellow who works with computers for the government. On the side he is writing a book about ethics and moral philosophy. I have taken three philosophy courses at the college level over the years. Unfortunately most of this did not stick. Still he is a fascinating man to listen too, and in English he goes slow enough for me to follow the current of his thinking.
Today i took a walk alone through the neighborhood. Brasilia is laid out in an organized pattern but all the rotaries, squares, and general layout is repeated many times so that all looks the same. i walked in a straight line for a number of blocks and then turned around to return. Somehow I went too far, past my original departure point. I am staying in the 100 block and somehow ended up in the 300 block. Turning around again, I found my way to the 100's without ever seeing the 200's.
The night before we went to a different area by car and met with a home group. The host plays for the local symphony orchestra. Enjoyed listening to him as we worshiped. Wanderley gave a very clear, organized, to the point teaching about discipleship using power point projected off a wall. This type of teaching seems to be rare in Brazil. Usually I hear long preaching sessions. I understand preaching as proclaiming and appealing to the emotions, and teaching as explaining and appealing to the mind.
Hot water is hit or miss here. I don't believe i have ever experienced a bathroom sink with hot water. Showers can be hot or cold but always unpredictable. I have gotten used to shaving with cold water.
My friend Samir from Porto alegre has reactivated his blog. For those who can read Portuguese I believe it will prove valuable. If I can remember how i connected to Bill's blog (probably someone helped me), i will provide a link to Samir's.
Today i took a walk alone through the neighborhood. Brasilia is laid out in an organized pattern but all the rotaries, squares, and general layout is repeated many times so that all looks the same. i walked in a straight line for a number of blocks and then turned around to return. Somehow I went too far, past my original departure point. I am staying in the 100 block and somehow ended up in the 300 block. Turning around again, I found my way to the 100's without ever seeing the 200's.
The night before we went to a different area by car and met with a home group. The host plays for the local symphony orchestra. Enjoyed listening to him as we worshiped. Wanderley gave a very clear, organized, to the point teaching about discipleship using power point projected off a wall. This type of teaching seems to be rare in Brazil. Usually I hear long preaching sessions. I understand preaching as proclaiming and appealing to the emotions, and teaching as explaining and appealing to the mind.
Hot water is hit or miss here. I don't believe i have ever experienced a bathroom sink with hot water. Showers can be hot or cold but always unpredictable. I have gotten used to shaving with cold water.
My friend Samir from Porto alegre has reactivated his blog. For those who can read Portuguese I believe it will prove valuable. If I can remember how i connected to Bill's blog (probably someone helped me), i will provide a link to Samir's.
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
Winding Down
Am beginning the last week of my summer in Brazil. Last night was invited to the home of Wagner, one of the pastors in the church in Brasilia. I had met his youngest son, Lucas, previously in various locations, and eventually the rest of his family but was the first time in his house. Wagner had been in San Luis, a city far to the north, and had the opportunity to give a message there about the kingdom of God which he shared with me, and three other brothers including my friend Carlos. Wagner is a forceful speaker, well suited for the type of preaching that works here in Brazil. He had the courtesy to speak slowly and have patience with my occasional requests for clarification. Both of his older children are in the process of getting married. I have been invited to the formal ceremony of betrothal of his older son Diego this Saturday. Wagner is also trying to arrange a BBQ for me in my remaining days here.
Ironically i have Wagners of German descent in my family tree. My relatives always claimed that they were related to Honus Wagner, the great Hall of Fame shortstop, but i have no idea if this is correct. I doubt my friend Wagner has German blood.
Tonight i have been invited to a home group and look forward to this experience as i have been meeting in homes for many years.
God is faithful. Life is hard. A student at the local university, a young man of 25, had convulsions and died yesterday. I don't know if there was any previous history. I do know that none of us has any guarantee of how long we will be here on this planet. For those who have put their trust in Christ and received his Lordship, "Precious in the eyes of the Lord is the death of His saints,". (Psalm 116:15) Those who have not will suffer the penalty of eternal destruction." (2 Thessalonians 1:9) for having denied the only Savior, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Ironically i have Wagners of German descent in my family tree. My relatives always claimed that they were related to Honus Wagner, the great Hall of Fame shortstop, but i have no idea if this is correct. I doubt my friend Wagner has German blood.
Tonight i have been invited to a home group and look forward to this experience as i have been meeting in homes for many years.
God is faithful. Life is hard. A student at the local university, a young man of 25, had convulsions and died yesterday. I don't know if there was any previous history. I do know that none of us has any guarantee of how long we will be here on this planet. For those who have put their trust in Christ and received his Lordship, "Precious in the eyes of the Lord is the death of His saints,". (Psalm 116:15) Those who have not will suffer the penalty of eternal destruction." (2 Thessalonians 1:9) for having denied the only Savior, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
Brasilia (2)
The other day we went to the TV tower here. Usually you can ascend it to get a great view of the city but it was closed when we went. There is an open air market at the foot of the tower and i was able to purchase a couple of little gifts for relatives.
Sunday night I went to a meeting of a regular church. A very nice family picked me up at the place where i am staying and took me to Aguas Claras, a suburb. We used mostly Portuguese on the ride there although Nathaniel the husband speaks some English, and his wife Lorena teaches both English and Portuguese. The church is where my new friend Thiago, his brother and parents go. His dad is the pastor. Seven years ago they began with thirteen people. Now they have at least a hundred and support missionaries. Pastor Edvaldo asked me to repeat some of what i had shared at the missionary conference in VV. Lorena translated very well. Afterwards we had a little meal and fellowship. Nathaniel and Lorena have a very nice daughter, six years old, named Suzana. Maybe some day i will have a granddaughter like her.
Monday evening i went with Wanderley to meet with some of his disciples. Learning more about the discipleship process from the perspective of Brazilian Christians is one of the major reasons that I wanted to return to Brazil. Our time together, with three other brothers who are also discipling others, was in a mixture of English and Portuguese. Some of the things that I appreciated was the commitment to a weekly time together, an emphasis on both the Word of God and the Holy Spirit, the call to discipleship as part of the conversion process not something tacked on later by whim, and the strong relational nature of their interaction. Each of the brothers gave an update on how he was doing spiritually, in their marriage and family, their work and finances, and with the people they are working with. There is accountability here which produces fruit.
Sunday night I went to a meeting of a regular church. A very nice family picked me up at the place where i am staying and took me to Aguas Claras, a suburb. We used mostly Portuguese on the ride there although Nathaniel the husband speaks some English, and his wife Lorena teaches both English and Portuguese. The church is where my new friend Thiago, his brother and parents go. His dad is the pastor. Seven years ago they began with thirteen people. Now they have at least a hundred and support missionaries. Pastor Edvaldo asked me to repeat some of what i had shared at the missionary conference in VV. Lorena translated very well. Afterwards we had a little meal and fellowship. Nathaniel and Lorena have a very nice daughter, six years old, named Suzana. Maybe some day i will have a granddaughter like her.
Monday evening i went with Wanderley to meet with some of his disciples. Learning more about the discipleship process from the perspective of Brazilian Christians is one of the major reasons that I wanted to return to Brazil. Our time together, with three other brothers who are also discipling others, was in a mixture of English and Portuguese. Some of the things that I appreciated was the commitment to a weekly time together, an emphasis on both the Word of God and the Holy Spirit, the call to discipleship as part of the conversion process not something tacked on later by whim, and the strong relational nature of their interaction. Each of the brothers gave an update on how he was doing spiritually, in their marriage and family, their work and finances, and with the people they are working with. There is accountability here which produces fruit.
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