Worship day

Picture 1: feijoada

Picture 2: Dave and I at the Tracunhaem church meal

Picture 3: Some of the kids in the ministry group. The only English they knew was hello, my name is ---. What is your name? Nice to meet you. It was so cute!

Wow...that's the word I can use to describe today. We had a busy day but it was wonderful and challenging! First, after breakfast, we had church at Alcanse (that's the name of the compound...I finally figured out how to spell it!). It was a small but vibrant congregation. There was a large number of children in uniforms best compared to a Girl Scout or a Boy Scout uniform. However, the words were different. We learned during the church service that a couple in the Alcanse church has taken on a task of ministering to the poor in another city. They couldn't afford to join Boy Scouts so they made something similar but tied Biblical truths into it. They also tied military discipline and English language instruction into this ministry. It was a neat ministry to see and I was particularly touched because they went into a poorer area and ministered to kids from broken homes. This, obviously, is similar to my heart so I will be keeping these kiddos in my prayers. :)

After church, we hopped into a van and drove to Tracunhaem. This is the area the children were from that presented at church that morning. I was excited to see the church because last year our home church of Brookville Road raised money to help build the building the church was meeting in. At this church they served a celebration dinner called feijoada (fey shwada). This meal originated from the slaves making food from the master's table scraps. The pastor, Tele, was concerned for our American stomachs so they prepared something different for the Americans. However, I tried one bite and Dave ate the beans and rice. It was....different. :) I found out that the dinner we attended was actually a fundraiser and a lot of the other community churches, including the Alcanse church, came to help raise money so they could finish building their building. I was so blessed to hear how the churches all work together. The goal of the pastors here is to plant 200 churches. Pastor Tele was telling us there is a state in Brazil that has 100 cities with NO churches. He also said that inward from the coast a lot of poor were neglected in the telling of the gospel. This seems like such an amazing ministry. I am excited as I learn more.

We were able to rest for a short time after the meal. Then, we met Pastor Tele and Pastor Andy (from our church) and drove to Timbauba. This is Pastor Tele's hometown. We left a lot earlier than the other groups and I thought it was just because it was about a 45 minute drive. However, we were pleasantly surprised to meet Pastor Tele's parents. His father is suffering from Parkinson's disease but we were all amazed at his silent strength and determination. We were also amused that although we couldn't understand what he was saying, he had a great sense of humor and caused Pastor Tele a lot of joy with some of his "ornery" comments.

From Pastor Tele's childhood home, we went to the Timbauba church. This building was BEAUTIFUL but the church family was even more precious. The Holy Spirit was obviously present in the people of this church and their worship was such a blessing. Then, Pastor Andy preached and challenged us to pray more consistently and to follow the ACTS model (adoration, confession, thanksgiving, and supplication). Then, Dave and I both took the prayer challenge to pray for something everyday for 6 months. If you'd like to know what we committed to pray for, please ask. I am willing to share and have you pray with me. I haven't had a chance to ask Dave yet so I am not sure if he is willing to share but know we are praying faitfully, waiting on the Lord to show himself so He might glorify himself.

On the way back to Carpina (where we are staying) from Timbauba, we were priviledged to hear Pastor Tele's testimony of how he and his whole family was saved in 5 months in 1978. It was so encouraging. As I was listening to his story, we were driving through the Brazilian countryside, surrounded by sugar cane fields and I gazed up into the Southern Hemisphere's sky. What a mighty God we serve. He cares for our souls knows them better than the beautiful and numerous stars in the sky.

Then, we ate at this amazing restaurant in Carpina that I knew my dad would LOVE. It was smoked ribs, rice, beans, potato salad, and fresh veggies. Wow! Then, we had dessert and Dave declared that Brazil made the best flan. :) All the while, we were able to hear more of the heart of Pastor Tele and learn about Brazilian culture. It was truly a delight!

Tomorrow it is back to work. We found out there is a possibilty of a cement mixer somewhere. Please pray we can get our hands on it. This would make a seemingly impossible job possible. This would also encourage Dave as he has taken so much responsibility for trying to get this project done. I will be either painting or working with Dave on the putt-putt course. If we can't get a cement mixer, I am going to volunteer to help as they will have to mix the cement by hand. Yikes!

Please pray for traveling mercies as Pastor Andy is returning home tomorrow. Please pray for quick and efficient work as we try to finish the many projects that have been started. Please continue to pray for my headaches as they are continuing today. I was able to press through, Praise the Lord, but it is not comfortable.

Thank you for your continued prayers and encouragement. We really feel like God is doing big things in Brazil and we are excited to be here and a part of it. Please continue to partner with us. Continue to pray and, if you feel led, drop a line to us to let us know how God is working in your life. God bless and, until tomorrow, boa noite (good night).