Crazy Driving In Sao Paulo

Driving in Sao Paulo is always an adventure, and it is far more difficult and dangerous than driving in the US. Besides having many roads in bad or poor condition, especially in the poorer areas of the city, there are many other problems: poor driving skills, (many people pay off someone to buy their drivers license instead of learning to drive), a lack of enforcement of rules and laws, an excess of cars (over 6,000,000 cars every day in Sao Paulo), smaller and crowded roads,... Another well known problem is the intensely crazy driving of the "motoboys", which are people who drive motorcycles. Many of them are deliverymen, and they are everywhere. They essentially have no rules, and they are famous for driving extremely fast and for weaving in and out between cars. On average there are 2 motoboys who die every day in Sao Paulo.

Happy Easter To All

Romans 5:8 - "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

I Peter 3:18 - "For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit."

Matthew 28:6 - "He is not here, he has risen, just as he said."

Churrascaria - Brazilian Steak House

Since we went out on Thursday night to celebrate Nancy's birthday (it is on Sunday but we went early) in a churrascaria, I thought I would post some pictures of a typical churrascaria here. We went to Tendall Grill in Sao Bernardo, which is a very good place to eat. You start at the large buffet of salad items and many types of appetizers (crab meat, mushrooms, sushi, cheeses,...). Then the waiters start bringing you all of the different types of steak and other meats for you to eat as much as you can. This is not the place to be if you want to lose weight. The great thing about Tendall Grill is you can eat all you want for only about US $ 6 per person. In the US the Brazilian steak houses cost anywhere from US $ 50- $200 per person.

Evangelism In Poa' - Sunday

We had a very busy and productive day in Poa' on Sunday. First we drove 1 1/2 hours to get to Poa', and then I preached in the morning service at Primeira Igreja Batista Cidade Kemel. After the service we went to our friends Eliane & Joseniel's brother's house in Poa' for a great Brazilian lunch and for some fun & relaxation. After that the church made some appointments for us, and we visited 2 families to share Christ with them. First we visitied Jose and his wife, who is a member of the church. For years Jose did not want to hear about God's love and His salvation through Jesus, and he had no interest in church or in anything related to God. But God touched Jose that day, and he accepted Christ. After that we visited with Cristiana's family, who also were not believers. Cristiana is a faithful member of the church and already a believer, and we had a wonderful visit with her Mom and Dad and her sister. Again God did a wonderful work and all 3 members of Cristiana's family accepted Christ.

At 5:30 pm, after the visits, John and I led part of the People Sharing Jesus seminar in the church, and then after that I preached in the evening service at 7:00 pm. 7 more people accepted Christ in the evening service, and many of the members were challenged by God to be faithful in sharing Christ with others. It was a long weekend (thank God for strong Brazilian coffee), but it was a privilege and a joy to help the churches to share Christ in Poa', and we have many new friends there. 41 people accepted Christ over the weekend, and we praise God for that.

Interpreter Elizabete, me, and Pastor Goes in the morning serviceNeto, me, and Pastor Goes visiting Jose and his wifeVisiting Cristiana's familyElizabete and I leading the People Sharing Jesus seminarJohn and Elizabete leading a part of the seminarChildren singing in English in the evening serviceSome of the people in the evening servicePreaching and sharing Christ in the evening service

Evangelism Weekend In Poa' - Part 1

This past Saturday and Sunday we worked with a couple of churches to have some evangelism events in Poa'. We worked with Igreja Batista Boas Novas (Pastor Wagner) in Vila Zelina - Sao Paulo, and also with Primeira Igreja Batista Cidade Kemel in Poa' (Pastor Goes). We are praising God that 41 people accepted Christ over the weekend. On Saturday morning and afternoon about 150 teens and young adults from Igr. Bat. Boas Novas and many people from PIB Cid. Kemel went out into Poa', house to house, to visit with people and to invite them to a special event and musical at night in the municipal sports center. The event was held at 7:30 at night, and there were between 500-600 people there. The worship teams from each church sang a couple of worship songs, and then I had the privilege of speaking and sharing Christ. 30 people accepted Christ on Saturday night. Then the young adult choir from IB Boas Novas, which is directed by Pastor Wagner's wife Marta, performed a wonderful musical. Many poeple from both churches worked very hard to organize and put on the event, and it was a success.

Nancy before the eventthe municpal sports complex in Poa'Me, Pastor Wagner, and my interpretor ElizabeteSharing Christ at the event with ElizabeteSome of the 500-600 people in attendanceThe young adult choir from Igr. Bat. Boas Novas the choir performing during the musical, with Marta directing

Poa' - Sao Paulo, Brazil

This past weekend we were in Poa' for some special evangelism events, which is a city on the outskirts of the East Zone of Sao Paulo. Even though we live close to the center of the greater Sao Paulo area (a little east of the center), it took us 1 1/2 hours each way to drive to the far east end of the metro area. That's how large this city is ... it goes on and on and on...

Poa' has a population of 105,000 plus residents, and it is an extremely poor area. It can also be a dangerous area at night. To get to Poa' we had to drive through an area called Ferraz de Vasconcelos, which is one of the most dangerous areas in Sao Paulo. Poa' is located next to Ferraz de Vasconcelo, and we have been to Ferraz before. Shortly after we moved here in December 2006 we almost had our car hijacked in Ferraz (in the afternoon, not even at night). I spoke in an event on a Sunday afternoon, and on our way home a group of young men on 7 motorcycles, many with 2 people on them, started following our car. They sped up to us and were looking into our car. The Brazilian young man that was with us said that they are going to hijack and steal our car. Then all of a sudden, for no apparent reason, they just stopped. We could see that there was another car far behind us, and from a long distance behind us we could see them block the road and they hijacked and stole that other car. In the daylight. On a fairly busy road (they waited until there was not much traffic). God clearly protected us that day, as He promised He would. We constantly need to rely on God and His protection here, especially when we work in many of the poor areas, which is alot of the time.

Here are some pictures of Poa'. We had an absolutely great time there. The people we met in Poa' were wonderful people, and they treated us amazingly well. That's how it is in the very poor areas and "favelas" here - most people are wonderful and very kind & hospitable, and very open to the Gospel also. Then there is a distinct contrast, with a dark side of crime, drugs, violence, prostitution,... But many people in the dark are seeing a Great Light, the Lord Jesus, and many are being delivered from the bondage of crime, drugs, emotional problems, and other problems.

Primeira Igreja Batista Cidade Kemel in Poa'

The Privilege of Being Called the Lord's Servant

"Then King David went in and sat before the Lord, and he said: "Who am I, O Sovereign Lord, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far? And as if this were not enough in your sight, O Sovereign Lord, you have also spoken about the future of the house of your servant. Is this your usual way of dealing with man, O Sovereign Lord? "What more can David say to you? For you know your servant, O Sovereign Lord. For the sake of your word and according to your will, you have done this great thing and made it known to your servant. "How great you are, O Sovereign Lord! There is no one like you, and there is no God but you..." - 2 Samuel 7:18-22

In American culture to be called a servant is not a compliment, it is degrading and humiliating. It usually means to be lower than others, a 2nd class citizen. It signifies to many a lower value or worth of the person. And it usually means that you are not a "person of privilege", but that you are a lower being who serves a "person of privilege".

But in God's Kingdom to be called His servant is the highest of privileges and the highest possible status and calling and role. It is an incredible privilege and honor and joy to be a servant of the Living God, and David knew this - "Who am I...". When God calls you to be His servant, it is a privilege and honor that no one deserves, and yet God out of His grace and mercy gives. I praise God every day that He has allowed us to have the great joy and privilege of knowing Him, and of being allowed to join Him in His Kingdom work. What an amazing journey it is to walk with the Living God, and to have a personal relationship with Him.

"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." - I Peter 2:9

A Brazilian Birthday Party

Last night we went to our good friends Junior & Elma's house for a birthday party for their son Joao (John in Portuguese), who turned 5 this week. We have been very close friends with Junior and his family since we first visited Brazil on a mission trip in 2005. His family have practically adopted us, and he and his entire family have helped us a great deal since we moved here. They are truly a blessing from the Lord in our lives.

A Brazilian birthday party is similar in some ways to an American party - there is alot of food, a cake with candle(s), presents, and they sing a birthday song, although it is very different than the "Happy Birthday" song Americans sing. Brazilians know how to have fun, and we are amazed at how they can regularly stay up late at night and then have no problem the next day. Last night they hired a company called "Personal Pizza" to provide the food, and you could get any kind of pizza you wanted with any type of topping you could imagine (bacon, "calebresa" - sausage, chicken, mushrooms, 5 different cheeses, onions, corn, peas, eggs, tomatoes, dried tomatoes, tuna, sardines, olives, peppers,... Brazilian pizza is very different than American pizza, but it is very good). After the regular pizza they made many different types of "pizza doce" - dessert pizzas. Great food and a great time.

some of the guests waiting for their personal pizzas

Junior & Elma, their son Joao and daughter Isabella, and other kids ready to sing

some of the many types of "pizza doce" - dessert pizzas

A Special Event To Pray For

On Saturday April 4 we will be working with Igreja Batista Boas Novas and their young adult choir ("coral jovem"), along with Primeira Igreja Batista Cidade Kemel, in a very special evangelism event in the city of Poa, located east of Sao Paulo. Poa is a very poor area, and the area of the city we will be working in has over 40,00 residents in a small "favella" (slum) area. During the day we and the groups from the churches will be visiting houses, parks, and other places to share the Good News, and to invite people to a special show being held at night in the municipal sports gymnasium. The coral jovem of IB Boas Novas will be putting on a special evangelical musical, and then I will have the privilege of speaking and sharing Christ with the visitors. The churches have printed 10,000 announcements to hand out, and PIB Cidade Kemel has already begun to contact and invite people in the city government, businesses, and other places to the event. Please pray for this event, that many will come to hear the Good News of Jesus, and that God will do "immeasurably more" than we ask and imagine and touch & save many, for His glory. We are hoping to have at least 1500 or more people in attendance. We are also seeking God's guidance about having more of these special events with IB Boas Novas.

The "coral jovem" from Igreja Batista Boas Novas - Sao Paulo

The churches printed 10,000 of this announcement

Another Nice School Visit

This morning we spoke at the school EE Oswaldo Gonzales, in the Sao Paulo East Zone bairro of Vila Alpina. This is a nice school for 1st through 4th grade students, and it is always alot of fun when we speak to the "pequeninhos" - little ones. We worked with Igreja Batista Boas Novas in the school, which is our Brazilian home church in Sao Paulo.

Nancy is now doing 2 of the 3 parts of our speech, and she is doing a great job. She now speaks about the body and the soul, and I speak about our spiritual life. John also speaks in another class at the same time Nancy and I are speaking, and we are proud of how he is committed to serving the Lord to share the Good News of Jesus. God once again moved in a wonderful way, and 255 students and 3 teachers accepted Jesus. He is doing great things here, not for us, but for His glory.

John and interpretor Hernani sharing Christ in a class

Interpretor Flavia and I and Eliane having fun with the studentsNancy, Eliane, and I sharing ChristSome of the students answering questions about the US & English

An Amazing Event

Today we finished speaking in a large school (EE Brenno Rossi school) in the far east zone of Sao Paulo, in the area called Pq. Boa Esperanca. This "bairro" is about an hour from where we live, almost 1 1/2 hours in traffic. This is a poor community, and like most poor areas here they are very open to receiving help, and many people have a genuine interest in having a personal relationship with God. Because of the large size of the school, the event was originally scheduled to take place over 2 weeks, but it ended up taking 3 weeks to finish. In the first week it was very hot, and because the school is in a poor area they ran out of water on 2 afternoons, so we had to reschedule these 2 days for this week.

The school is for students in the 1st grade through high school, and they also have some classes at night for adults. They have a total of 64 classes - 22 in the morning, 21 in the afternoon, and 21 at night. We worked with Igreja Batista Pq. Boa Esperanca, which is located down the street from the school. The church participation was very good during the event, and many people came to help us share God's love with the students and teachers. God moved in an amazing way here, and we are in awe of what He has done: 2,173 students and 23 teachers accepted Christ. God truly is amazing.

Part of the group from the church in a class at night

Interpretor Guilherme and I sharing Christ

John and interpretor Ricardo speaking in a class

Nancy, John, interpretors Fabiane & Elaine, and the church groupInterpretor Elaine and I, Sergio, Guilherme, and Salvador in a class

Brazil Photo - Foz do Iguaçu

Foz do Iguaçu is one of Brazil's most popular tourist attractions. Actually it is located where Brazil meets with Argentina and Paraguay, and part of the falls are located on the Brazilian side and some on the Argentine side. The total waterflow of the Foz do Iguaçu is three times that of Niagara Falls, and the tallest of the falls is 318 feet, on the Argentine side. Here is a photo of Foz do Iguaçu.