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We had a wonderful week! It's great to be able to spend this special time of the year with good friends.  Wednesday we visited João’s mother Marcia. João was baptized last week and his mother was touched by the message. During the visit our coworker Joelma shared her testimony and Marcia made a profession of faith! That was a VERY great start to the Easter weekend. Friday we showed the film Thief in the Night . Do you remember that movie? It was hard for me to get over the goofy clothing and old cars. Did we really look like that back in the 60s? Our group, however,  thought that it was a very interesting film and they had questions about Christ’s return. It was a rainy night but we still had ten that watched and ate popcorn. Saturday at Club we had about 38 kids and teens on another rainy day. Bible  Club is in a bit of a transition. We now have three teams in what is called the Alpha Sector ! The teams will compete for rewards, special outings and a promotion t...

The weekend was a special one for two reasons. On Saturday we stood up for Juliana as she married Mario at Calvary. The wedding was lovely and we praise God for the miracle that only He could have orchestrated in putting this young couple together. Mother’s Day was very special at Hope. We had good attendance both morning and evening. Abby has been working on a cookbook for the last few weeks as a school project and she gave it out to each mother present last night. Along with the book full of their own favorite recipes they received a photo that I had taken of their family yesterday morning. The mothers and daughters sang as a choir and there were special numbers by Kristen, Emily, and Hana Alexander (trio), the bell choir, and Adailza and Jan on the piano. It was Adailza’s first “solo”. Abby and I took Mom out to Chinese for dinner (three Americans, eating Chinese, in Brazil, talk about a cosmopolitan meal!). We each got a “Fortune cookie”. Two of the three were right on: “All of you...

A fundamental doctrine of the Baptist church is that of potluck (though we cringe at the use of the word "Luck" we all understand the term). Whenever there is food at church there is seldom a dissenting vote cast. Potluck is a staple of our faith. All kidding aside, there are many many examples of Jesus using a meal to teach great truths to His disciples and others (it is an interesting Bible study). Ever participate in the Lord’s Supper? Yesterday, at Hope, we tried something a bit different. We had a "Fifth Sunday Fellowship". Each month with five Sundays this year we will have our regular morning activities. It is in the afternoon that we've changed the routine. Shortly after choir practice concludes we all gathered for lunch. Yesterday's meal was: baked chicken, rice, beans, and salad, with various desserts. It was good! A meal has a way of bringing people together. The fellowship seems sweeter over supper doesn't it? Our church folk need more sweet ...