Americanos In Brazil - Day 4

On Monday morning we and the team from Georgia worked with Igreja Batista Nova Jerusalem in a state school in Santos for students in the 5th grade through high school. We broke up into 4 teams of 2 Americans and 1 interpreter, and some other people from the church to help us. We spoke in 9 classes in the morning period, and unfortunately 3 classes were not there because 3 teachers did not show up for work. After the morning period we all went to have lunch at a good buffet style restaurant that offers good Brazilian food, seafood, Italian food, and Brazilian BBQ as well. It was a great meal and time of fellowship.

After lunch we walked back to the school and spoke in 12 more classes. We had a very good time at the school, and many of the students loved to talk with some of the Americans that were visiting their school. The school recommended us to 2 more schools. Also, one of the interpreters for us, Kadu, leads worship at the church and he and his wife want to do some events with music for students & families, and the school is interested in having this with them on some Saturdays. This would be a great way for the church to do some follow-up work with those who have received Christ at the school. We will return to the school to finish up on Wednesday night. We praise God that on Monday 359 students and 8 teachers accepted Christ and committed their lives to Him.

 

Americanos In Brazil - Day 3

On Sunday we and our friends from Cedartown GA went to 2 churches. In the morning we went to Primeira Igreja Batista Sao Vicente. Sunday was the church's 60th anniversary, so it was very special for them to have a group of Americans visiting their church on the special day. Pastor Gilberto and the church warmly greeted the American visitors, and we had a great time of worship with everyone. Joseph Mauldin, who is the leader of worship at 2nd Baptist Church of Cedartown sang "The Power Of The Cross", and he was a big hit with the church. After the service we had lunch at the church to celebrate their anniversary.

On Sunday night we went to Igreja Batista Nova Jerusalem in Santos, which is led by Pr. Wilson. Joseph sang again for the church, and I had the privilege of preaching. The church had all of us come up front and they all prayed for us and our missions work this coming week in the schools. They are participating with us in 2 of the 5 schools we will be speaking in. At the end of the message I shared the Gospel and 4 people accepted Christ and committed their lives to Him. After the service we had a time of fellowship with the members and had some Brazilian snacks to eat. It was a great day for all of us.

Americanos In Brazil - Day 2

Yesterday (Saturday) morning we worked with Capela Calvario church in Sao Vicente to help them to share Jesus in their community. We had 4 teams of 2 Americans and at least 1 church member/interpreter to go out and visit homes near the church. We had some great visits with people to share Jesus and to minister to them, and God blessed our time. We were able to share the Gospel approx. 15 times in people's homes or on the street, and we praise God that 8 people prayed to accept Christ as their Lord and Savior and committed their lives to Him. Even though some did not accept Christ, you could tell that God is at work in their hearts and lives. Afterwards the church made a great lunch for all of us, which included typical Brazilian dishes and our favorite - churrasco (Brazilian steak/BBQ).

On Saturday afternoon we were going to take a boat ride around the Santos bay area, which lasts about 1 1/2 hour, but it rained alot so we switched to plan B. Capela Calvario had a pizza party at the church at night, so we all went there instead. It was a great night of homemade Brazilian pizza, music, and great fellowship.

Americanos In Brazil - Day 1

We have a team from 2nd Baptist Church of Cedartown GA with us for 8 days, to help us to help churches to share the Good News of Jesus with others. After a long 12 hour trip the team arrive on Thursday night in Sao Paulo, and then we had another 2 hour drive to get to Santos. Thanksfully everyone arrive safely and with all of their luggage. The team members are: Joseph & Meredith Mauldin, Bill & Carol Pilgrim, Teresa Painter, and Pr. Bill Heaton.

On Friday we had a light day with no ministry activities scheduled, so that the team could rest up for our very busy upcoming week. We walked around the beach area of Santos, and then took a break for some rest. On Friday night we walked from their hotel to a park area near the beach, and then to a "churrascaria", which is a Brazilian steak house. We had a great time together there, and then after we walked around the beach park, which stretches the full 4 miles of beaches in the city.

We are very blessed to have their help, and we are very thankful to have them here. Please pray for the team and us as we share Jesus with over 4000 people in the next week in 5 schools and other various areas.

Igreja Batista Chico de Paula

We have recently begun to work with Pastor Jose Cavalcanti and Igreja Batista Chico de Paula, which is located in a poor area of Santos. The church is only 7 years old, and is a small church. We will be working with them to help them to share Christ in their community, and we will start by speaking in a school near the church in November.

I had the privilege to preach in the church this past Sunday night (the Sunday night service is the main service here in Brazil, and the morning service is the smaller service). I preached a message to encourage and challenge all members of the church to participate in God's desire and work of reaching lost people for Jesus, and to help them to grow to be the true disciples that Jesus wants.

Spring In Santos Brazil

Here are some spring photos of our beautiful beach area in Santos.

 

Here They Come

Our city Santos is one of many cities located on the coast, about 1 1/2 hour from the mega city of Sao Paulo. Whenever there is nice and warm & sunny weather like this weekend, tens of thousands of people like to get out of Sao Paulo and come to the beach for the weekend. There are 2 main highways that go from Sao Paulo to our area, which is called the Baixada Santista, and on nice weekends and holidays these highways are packed full of cars with people fleeing the big mega city. Below is a picture of the mass exodus from Sao Paulo  that was in an online news site this morning. It was taken at a toll booth area just outside of Sao Paulo.