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Boituva I had the opportunity of observing (or being a part) of two different fledgling works this weekend and both are being started by nationals! On Saturday Carlinhos and I took our juniors class to Boituva , about 45 minutes from our church. It is a small city of just 55,000 and is noted for it's parachutists and hot-air balloons. The church plant there is being started in a very nice neighborhood by Lucio and his wife Claudinea , both are grads of our Bible college in Curitiba. Our boys handed out fliers for about 25 minutes and we waited for the kids of the neighborhood to come and be a part of the Bible Club. We were expecting about 5 to 10 but only one little girl, Bárbara, came. She has been a part of the club since it's start just a few weeks ago. The eight of us sang and said our memory verse and had a Bible story. Afterwards the kids played a game of "Pop the balloon" and had a small lunch. As we traveled back to Sorocaba I asked Carlinhos what he thought...

When you are on a team of eight with no reserves in sight and two of your best players leave it is a rough blow. It could even be considered a killer blow. Last night Ed preached from Acts on the growth of the early church. He challenged our small congregation to the task of that type of Spirit lead growth. It was he and Jan's last service at Hope and their last as a part of the "team" which they have lead for nearly 20 years here in Sorocaba. Now the question comes, "What happens after the 'end of an era'?" Many times a team that loses a top quality player (or players) loses it's potential to win, or at least loses the winning edge. In other cases we've all seen teams that have grit their teeth, rolled up their collective sleeves, and worked even harder to win, and have succeeded at just that, winning! As I observed our service last night I watched with bittersweet emotions. Realizing that life is change. That is one part of life that makes it i...

A few weeks ago I did three articles entitled "To Be A Missionary". My purpose was to whet your appetite or at least get your attention with the idea of becoming a missionary. I used my personal testimony to help you to realize that God can use anyone as long as that person is willing to allow Him to guide his or her path. In my last installment I argued that a seminary degree wasn't necessarily a requirement though it would be a very useful tool. I receive regular installments of " In the Nick of Time " theological articles written by Dr. Kevin T. Bauder president of Central Baptist Theological Seminary located in Plymouth, Minnesota a suburb of Minneapolis. The most recent article, however, was written by Dr. Jeffrey P. Straub. Dr. Straub has served as Associate Professor in Historical and Systematic Theology at Central. His article is entitled Was I Really Ready? Reflections on a Return Visit to Canada . It is an interesting look at the importance of seminary...

Last Sunday was Father's Day in Brazil. Sunday night one of my friends said, "Every day is Father's day!" He's right you know. At least for me it is. I have a great wife and family. I have great brothers and sisters-in-law and a great sister and brother-in-law. I have a great father and mother-in-law! I have great daughters and sons-in-law. I have great (and very cute) grand kids. I am blessed! Why me? I have often asked that question. Why me Father! Back in 1904, long before any of my present family was even thought of, Andrew Jewell married young Lorene Drahner (ever hear of Drahner Road in Oxford?). That young couple had all of the potential in the world. Andrew came from a fairly well to do farming family, Lorene was also from a well to do farming family and a young school teacher. Their first child was born on Valentines Day in 1907. Little Clyde Austin nearly died in his first month. He wasn't a healthy boy by any means but he grew stronger and survived....

August 9, 2007 I have been reading the Bible a bit differently this year. I wanted to get a better grip on the New Testament and in my past readings I usually reach the New Testament in October or November. So, this year I am reading two chapters in the Old Testament (one in the poetry books and one in the rest, Law/history/prophecy) and two chapters in the New Testament with an additional chapter in the Gospels, to get better acquainted with my Savior. Did that sound complicated? It really isn't. Anyway, I was recently in the book of Galatians and was awestruck by the simplicity with which Paul explains the liberty that we have in Christ. In essence, we have been called to liberty... to server one another! That immediately struck me as a tremendous contrast, liberty to serve. My liberty in Christ presents me with the privilege of serving the Savior. But it also insists that I serve my brothers and sisters in Christ. As I exercise this freedom I will begin to exhibit what Paul deta...

It is fun and rewarding to see your children ministering to others. For some time now Abby has been playing the piano for our Sunday and Wednesday service. The duty is not completely hers yet but Aunt Jan is headed to Curitiba in July which means that Abby will be playing more. She is also taking the three and four year olds Sunday school class. She is a good teacher and it is fun to see her preparing for her lessons. Recently there was a huge mess in her classroom as the kids planted their seeds in clay pots full of dirt. They're studying creation! Amy has been teaching for six years now! That seems impossible. I remember her first job at Oxford Christian Academy teaching sixth graders. She went into that class with fear and trepidation but after just a few days realized that she loved teaching. She and Art are also involved in teaching junior church and helping in the Sparks AWANA program. Annie and Jackson are helping with the junior church at Salem in Curitiba. They have been i...

Father and son after a long night! Blogged with Flock These two boys are in different stages of transition. Gabriel (left) is just beginning a new life. He doesn't know what is in store and it seems that he doesn't care about what is ahead as long as the milk keeps coming and his diaper is changed periodically. He might be the future president of the Republic (let's pray that he isn't) but as long as his minimum needs are met he's OK. Jackson is well along in years (26 going on 27)and he is ending an important part of his life. He is in the last of five semesters of his Seminary training. In just four short months he will be entering the spooky world of those looking for ministry opportunities. Which of the two do you think needs more prayer?