Skip to main content

Missions Trip


We returned to Brazil on July 4th to fireworks and celebrations of Liberty! Well, not exactly. There were celebrations and fireworks but it was because Brazil was in the finals of South America's soccer championship. The contest is called Libertadores. 


Arriving on Wednesday morning we were tired and almost stayed home that evening. However, we decided to watch the game at Cido and Zita's home. They are Faith’s newest converts. Brazil won the game against Argentina’s best and we had fun in the celebration with several of our church folks.

On Friday I came down with my yearly attack of pneumonia. I was in bed until Tuesday and then on Thursday we left for a four day mission trip to Praia Grande. Our team of eleven traveled four hours to minister with pastor Felipe and his wife Wiarla.

The church is 17 years old but has struggled with dwindling membership and a former pastor who still wants to control the congregation. Our small team was very encouraged by pastor Felipe and his family’s dedication to the work. They live over 7 kilometers from the church, don’t own a car and ride bicycles to each service. Rain or shine, cold or hot they are on the bikes. Wiarla is pregnant with their second child and their little girl Yasha is just three.

We were privileged to be an encouragement to this precious family. We saw 56 kids and 25 teens in two day of VBS. And also saw several decisions for Christ. At the end of this week we will take a group of our kids to Hopi Hari a nearby amusement park and on Saturday we'll take part in a youth activity with a group of American here to help in the construction of Victory Baptist Church. Next week we'll host our second annual Music Conference with an arriving team of 13.


Never a dull moment! Pray for us!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Tottering!

I was watching my one year old grandson, Brandon, today. He had on some baggy little shorts, weird flip-flops over his socks, and he was tottering. It made me think about how I often feel these days. Funny how that when we are little and "innocent" and tottering in our baggy pants, with our little potbelly sticking out from under our t-shirt we look precious. When we are older and tottering in our low slung trousers and the same potbelly, we looks pathetic! I guess that the two drastically opposite points of view are based on the viewer's chronological perspective. Brandon is growing and I'm dying. He is cute because the little guy has a lot to learn and we love to see him progress. The old guy has already had his chance at learning and what he is progressing toward is not quite so much fun to ponder. When I have these weird thoughts I praise my God because He never lets go of my hand whether a tottering little guy or an old one. And I found this verse to prove my po...
Post a Comment
Read more

What Are You Worth?

What are you Worth?  Have you ever thought about what you are worth? In investing circles there is a term used to gauge this exact question, it's called Net Worth. You take all of your assets, like property owned, funds in your bank account, clothes, jewelry, car, etc.. You total all of these things. You then take everything you owe, like mortgage, car loan, and credit card debt, and you subtract these items from the first total. This gives you your net worth. That number represents where you are financially. Most people never stop to think about this number because they don't understand anything about it. They never have two nickels to rub together. They live from hand to mouth and know (or at least believe) nothing will ever change so, they fall into the "daily grind" mentality. Psalm 49 should be a great encouragement to such as these. The sons of Korah write about them. These sons write about all of us. They call all people everywhere to listen to their wisdom. Bo...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Missionary Thing

"I wish I could get into this Missionary Thing!" I have heard this statement a number of times during my missionary career. People say it in feigned jest. Especially when they see something special happening to missionaries. Tonight for instance a friend loaned us his brand new Chrysler Sebring. Or how about this one, Someone once gave us $10,000. I think that the "Missionary Thing" statement is a reaction to perceived preferential treatment. Granted, I had never receive $10,000 in a lump sum offering until I became a missionary. I had never had anyone give me a car, house, apartment, computer, airline ticket and myriad other things until I became a missionary.  Being a missionary does have it's definite benefits. One of the biggest of those being that we get to do what Paul did. Paul was able to recount his story to perhaps thousands before his death at the hands of Nero. We are still feeling the after-shock of his message. Paul's is that Christ-like exampl...
Post a Comment
Read more