January 31, 2005
Why Brazilians Are So Good At Soccer
They start young. Take, for instance, the case of ten-year-old Jean Carlos Chera, pictured below.
A glance at the video made available at the homepage of the team he plays will demonstrate that he posesses incredible skill. Apparently, teams from all over the world are looking at this young man as a potential future recruit. Look for him to make waves in the soccer world in the future.
Posted by Andrew at 7:40 PM
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January 29, 2005
All Roads Lead to Home...Sort Of
Just a quick post to let you all know that I am headed out (in about half an hour) for Limestone, PA. I will be presenting our ministry there on Sunday, and then heading for home on Monday.
In the meantime, I wanted to thank all of you who nominated this blog for Best Evangelical Missionary Blog. It is an honor to be nominated, and also an honor to be included among so many other fine blogs which were also nominated for that category.
Posted by Andrew at 9:23 AM
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January 27, 2005
Signs of Life at the Forum
I had almost forgotten that I am the administrator of the Let's Talk About Missions forum. It has been quite some time since there have been any signs of life over there. Then today, through the efforts of a young person who is passionate about missions in Brazil, two more people signed up.
So I thought I would mention the forum once again, and perhaps we can breathe life into the discussions about missions.
Posted by Andrew at 9:32 PM
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Funny Translations
I just recently added a page translation extension onto my Firefox browser. Having finished my work for the day, I thought I would post some pictures of what this site looks like in different languages.
First we go for the "original Greek". Not sure if this is the majority or critical text.
I think this is Japanese. One of the more far-out of the translations available.
And of course, we must show what the header would look like if it were to be seen in Portuguese.
Posted by Andrew at 3:04 PM
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Evangelical Blog Awards
The Evangelical Underground is hosting the first annual Evangelical Blog Awards. There are several categories available for which blogs can be nominated. For instance, THIS blog could probably be nominated for Best Evangelical Blog-Ministry.
Just thought everybody should know.
UPDATE: I sent in a suggestion that they add a category for missionary blogs, and, lo-and-behold, they did. Now if only someone could think of a blog to nominate...
Posted by Andrew at 12:41 PM
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Ronaldinho Records Appeal to Terrorists
Update to a previous post:
O GLOBO informs us that the Brazilian soccer star Rodaldinho, who plays for the Spanish team Real Madrid, has recorded a message asking the terrorists in Iraq to release the Brazilian they are holding hostage.
More details to come.
Posted by Andrew at 11:01 AM
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Welcome to the Team
We would like to welcome Calvary Baptist Church of Preble, NY, to our ministry team! Their financial commitment has taken us up to 58.2% of our needed monthly support.
Pastor Brown and his congregation have been a tremendous encouragement to us over the last couple of years, and we are anxious to continue this great relationship.
Posted by Andrew at 10:46 AM
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January 26, 2005
Football Diplomacy
We now leave the realm of silly captions and blog statistics to deal with a much more serious matter, the fate of Joo Jos Vasconcellos Jr., the Brazilian who was captured this week in Iraq.
The most recent development is that Brazilian soccer stars--who are extremely popular in the Arab world--are being recruited to make appeals for Joo's safety. Below are portions of the article dealing with this subject, along with translations:
Jornal O GloboDiplomacia do futebol pode salvar Joo Jos
Fernando Duarte
CorrespondenteLONDRES. A diplomacia da bola surgiu como esperana para o engenheiro Joo Jos Vasconcellos Jr. Um editor do "Asharq al-Awsat, o maior jornal rabe"-- com trs milhes de leitores em 16 pases e escritrio na capital britnica--disse ao GLOBO que uma mensagem de estrelas do futebol brasileiro, como Pel, Ronaldo e Ronaldinho Gacho, seria mais eficaz que esforos do Itamaraty para sensibilizar os seqestradores. Segundo o editor, que pediu anonimato, a maioria dos militantes jovem e f do futebol brasileiro.
Translation:
Jornal O GloboFootball Diplomacy could save Joo Jos
Fernando Duarte
CorrespondantLONDON. Football diplomacy has been suggested as a hope for the engineer Joo Jose Vasconcellos Jr. A publisher of the "Asharq al-Awsat", the biggest Arab periodical"--with three million readers in 16 countries and an office in the British capital--said to O GLOBO that a message from the stars of Brazilian soccer, such as Pel, Ronaldo and Ronaldinho Gaucho, would be more effective than efforts of [the Brazilian government} to bring the kidnappers to their senses. According to publisher, who asked for anonymity, the majority of the militants are young and fans of Brazilian soccer.
This is definitely a strategy that needs to be agressively explored. The global goodwill enjoyed by Brazil is due in a large part to the successes of Brazilian soccer (something we non-soccer-playing Americans do not easily understand).
It is, however, important for us to understand the mentality of the kidnappers, as mentioned also in this article:
Para Al-Rashed, da rede Al-Arabyia, a nacionalidade do engenheiro no ser uma vantagem numa negociao diplomtica porque os insurgentes iraquianos h algum tempo no se preocupam em atacar somente pases da coalizo comandada pelos EUA. Seu objetivo provocar o mximo de problemas para muitas empresas contratadas para trabalhar no pas, como a Odebrecht — a servio do governo americano para reparos numa termeltrica na cidade de Baiji, norte do Iraque, onde Vasconcellos Jr. foi seqestrado.
Translation:
For Al-Rashed, of the Al-Arabyia network, the nationality of the engineer will not be an advantage in a diplomatic negotiation because the Iraqi rebels for some time have not been exclusively attacking countries of the coalition commanded by the U.S.A. Its objective are to cause the most problems possible for many of the companies contracted to work in the country--such as Odebrecht, which is in service of the American government for repairs at a thermo-electric plant in the city of Beiji, north of Iraq, where Vasconcellos Jr. was kidnapped.
Most Brazilians, including those with whom I have talked personally, seem convinced that they are going to get a "by" on this one because of their non-support of the Iraq war. While I certainly hope this is the case, and that Joo Jos is released, I have no faith in the "goodness of the kidnappers".
Posted by Andrew at 1:13 PM
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Milestones
This month marks three significant milestones in the history of this blog.
1. We have, for the first time, had over 2,000 unique visitors this month. I truly hope those of you who have stopped by have found it informative, enjoyable, and edifying.
2. Today, the 600th non-spam comment was posted. Congratulations to Pastor Dan for being number 600, and thank you to all who have participated.
3. With this post, I have now made 500 entries in this blog. Blogging was first introduced to me by k3 back in August of 2003, and has been one of the more enjoyable parts of my ministry since then. Hopefully, there will be many more years of blogging in the future. I am especially looking forward to blogging from Brazil.
Posted by Andrew at 9:24 AM
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January 24, 2005
This Week's Caption Challenge
Ok, here is the picture for this week that is desperately in need of a caption. Have at it!
Posted by Andrew at 11:58 PM
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Pray For The Release Of This Man
Joo Vasconcelos, Brazilian kidnapped in Iraq
The question I asked in an earlier post is beginning to be answered. Below is the latest on the kidnapping of the Brazilian citizen in Iraq. Once again, interesting sections are highlighted:
Reuters AlertNet - Brazil appeals for kidnapped engineer's releaseBrazil appeals for kidnapped engineer's release
24 Jan 2005 16:10:02 GMT
Source: ReutersSAO PAULO, Brazil, Jan 24 (Reuters) - The Brazilian government joined the family of a Brazilian engineer kidnapped in Iraq last week in appealing for his release while it tried to make contact with his abductors on Monday.
Joao Jose Vasconcelos, 49, was kidnapped on Wednesday after his convoy was attacked near the central Iraqi city of Beiji. On Saturday, Arab satellite television said a group calling itself the Al Mujahideen Squadrons (Saraya al-Mujahideen) had claimed responsibility for the ambush, in which two other people were killed.
"The Brazilian government joins the humanitarian appeals made by Mr. Vasconcelos's family and (his) company with the hope that this lamentable episode ends as soon as possible," Brazil's foreign ministry said in a statement.
The company Vasconcelos was working for in Iraq, Constructora Norberto Odebrecht, said it had yet to hear from the kidnappers.
The abduction has hit a nerve in Brazil, where most people were vehemently against the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq and were largely unaware any Brazilians were in the country.
Odebrecht had been hired to repair a power plant near Beiji. According to local news reports, Vasconcelos was ambushed on his way to the airport, where he was to fly home to Rio de Janeiro for a vacation.
His sister, Isabel, appealed to his kidnappers on Sunday, saying Vasconcelos was well-liked in Baghdad and Beiji and a friend of the Iraqi people. Local media also painted a picture of a man interested in Iraqi culture and life.
The married father of three used to regularly send his family photographs showing the daily life of Iraqi people -- "the other Iraq" not seen on television. And Vasconcelos would always give his friends in Iraq T-shirts of Brazil's champion soccer team and bring back paintings by Iraqi artists for his home, local newspapers said.
"We want to see the Brazilian government scream like the French and Chinese and governments of other countries did," Vasconcelos's brother-in-law, the Lebanese-born Ghassan Khouri, told O Globo newspaper.
"Brazil was never in favor of war, and now its own son is a victim of one."
I really, really hope this man gets released by his captors. Or, even better, that he gets rescued by coalition troops. It sounds like his heart was in the right place.
I am curious as to what the brother-in-law means when he says that he wants the Brazilian government to "scream". Does that mean beg for mercy? I seriously doubt many Brazilians will be happy to see their government to that.
Update: I just got done listening to the statement made by the victim's sister, which can be heard (in Portuguese) here. In it, she appeals to the decency (my word) of the kidnappers. Think about that for a minute.
Also, it appears, according the Brazilian press, that their government is taking a more hard line on this case. In talking with a Brazilian friend, however, it appears that the people of Brazil are putting most of the blame on the US.
Once again, please, please pray for the release of Joo Vasconcelos.
Posted by Andrew at 11:17 PM
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The Chosen Frozen
I have been in NY only a couple of days now, yet already I have forgotten what it was like to be truly warm.
Today I will be at the Empire State Fellowship winter conference. These are good events for connecting with pastors, but they are also great times of edification.
Before I go, I want to give a shout out to a new believer I know who handled a rough situation yesterday in a much better way than I would have. You go, boy!
Posted by Andrew at 9:13 AM
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Latest on Brazilian Captured in Iraq
It seems the sister of the kidnapped Brazilian has made an appeal to the kidnappers. Notice the sections I have highlighted, in regard to the attitude Brazilians have taken towards the Iraqi confilct:
Reuters AlertNet - Sister says kidnapped Brazilian was friend of IraqSister says kidnapped Brazilian was friend of Iraq
23 Jan 2005 17:33:50 GMT
Source: Reuters
By Carlos A. DeJuanaSAO PAULO, Brazil, Jan 23 (Reuters) - The sister of a Brazilian engineer kidnapped by a militant group in Iraq said on Sunday her brother had great respect for the Iraqi people and she believed his captors would ultimately grant him mercy.
In an interview with GloboNews television, her voice choking back tears, Isabel Vasconcelos said she hoped the captors of her brother Joao Jose Vasconcelos would show him clemency like they did to eight Chinese workers freed this weekend.
"They know that Brazil did not interfere in the Iraqi war, that Brazil did not send troops, that Brazil was not favorable to the attack. The Brazilian people are by nature peaceful," she said from her home in the state of Minas Gerais.
Arab satellite television Al Jazeera said on Saturday a group calling itself the Al Mujahideen Squadrons (Saraya al-Mujahideen) had kidnapped a Brazilian and showed video of Vasconcelos's identification card.
Brazilian construction company Construtora Norberto Odebrecht S.A. confirmed Vasconcelos, 49, was an employee of the company who disappeared on Wednesday after his convoy was attacked near the central Iraqi city of Beiji.
"He had a great respect for the Iraqi people. We know he was very well-liked in Baghdad and in Beiji," Isabel Vasconcelos said. "So we are sure (his kidnappers) will see all of this and know that Joao is not an enemy of their country."
A spokesman for Brazil's Foreign Ministry said the government remained in contact with its diplomats in the region in an effort to resolve the situation.
Brazil's ambassador in Jordan said Odebrecht would lead any negotiations with the kidnappers, according to local news agency Folha Online.
On Saturday, Odebrecht, one of Brazil's largest industrial groups, said it had not been contacted by the kidnappers and denied another Brazilian who reportedly died during the ambush was part of its team.
Vasconcelos's abduction is the second time a Brazilian has been caught up in the violence plaguing Iraq since U.S.-led forces ousted Saddam Hussein.
Most Brazilians were heartbroken when the head of the U.N. mission in Iraq, Sergio Vieira de Mello, was killed in a bomb attack in August 2003. The government declared three days of mourning in honor of the well-respected Rio de Janeiro native after his death.
My heart goes out to this man and his family, and I am praying and--and asking all others to pray--for his safe return. I am saddened, however, by the apparent willingness of the Brazilian government to negotiate with the terrorist kidnappers. This is a very dangerous road to follow.
Posted by Andrew at 12:09 AM
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January 23, 2005
Flabbergasted
My Dad sent this to me, and I thought I would share it with the rest of you. No doubt you will feel greatly enriched after reading it.
Posted by Andrew at 5:10 PM
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Scottish Contribution to Brazilian Culture
Today finds me in Upstate NY, in the aftermath of one of the year's worst snowstorms in this area. Normally I would be in church right now, but services have been canceled to to the inclement weather.
So, while perusing the internet, I happened across this article about the origins of Brazilian football (soccer, to all you gringos out there). It actually came to Brazil via Scotland.
As a person who is proud of his Scottish heritage, and who is in love with all things Brazilian, this was a great intersection of the two subjects.
Times Online - Sunday TimesConnery to film the Scot who gave Brazil football
Karin GoodwinHE WAS more familiar with Ayr beach than the Copacabana but Archie McLean is credited with being the "father of Brazilian football".
Now the incredible story of the Scots engineer who helped to introduce the beautiful game to the South American country and became one of the original "Samba stars", is to be told in a television documentary by Sir Sean Connery.
McLean, who worked for the Paisley-based textiles firm J&P Coates, was transferred to Sao Paulo when it opened a mill there in 1907. He founded the Scottish Wanderers, one of the most popular and successful teams in the country's Paulista League. He intended to stay for three months but remained there for 40 years, helping to popularise the game.
Nicknamed "O Viadinho" "the Little Deer" because of his pace, he is remembered as one of the pioneers of Brazil's passing style of play. He appeared as a guest of honour at Sao Paulo's main stadium during a return trip in 1966 and his nickname was given to a street in the city.
Connery, a keen amateur player who turned downt the chance to join Manchester United, became fascinated by McLean's story while working on a series that will explore Scottish culture with Murray Grigor, the independent film-maker. "It was the story of Archie McLean that appealed to Sean straight away," said Grigor, a former director of the Edinburgh Film Festival.
"He had never heard of him, but he talked to Alex Ferguson, who was able to tell him all about it."
Football was started in the South American country in 1894 by Charles Miller, who was born in Brazil to a Scottish father, and who helped to found the Paulista League in 1901.
The first professional football coach in Brazil, Jock Hamilton, was also a Scot. The former Fulham coach, from Ayr, was poached by the Brazilian side Paulistano. He founded what is incorrectly known as the Systema Ingleza (English System) that they still use, because the locals did not know the difference between Scotland and England.
A Scot is also credited with introducing football to Argentina, Brazil's greatest rival.
The Glasgow-born Alexander Hutton was a teacher at St Andrew's school in Buenos Aires in the 1890s and started a football team in 1882.
The Scottish influence even extended to Argentina's 1986 World Cup-winning side, which included Jose Brown, a direct descendant of an 1825 Scots emigrant, James Brown.
"Archie McLean was one of three men who were more or less responsible for making South American football what it is today," said Ged O'Brien, the former curator and founder of the Scottish Football Museum at Hampden Park.
"He took the passing and running game of football to Brazil. The genius of the national team, which is one of the best in the world, is directly attributable to McLean and the Scottish Wanderers.
"There should be a 20ft statue to him in Paisley yet sadly most people today will not have heard of him. We are so used to the official history that tells us the English brought football to Brazil."
The series, expected to be screened by the BBC in 2007, will include episodes on Scottish innovators, such as Lord Kelvin and James Clerk Maxwell, and literature, including Ian Rankin, the crime writer. Scottish architecture will feature as well.
Posted by Andrew at 11:04 AM
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January 22, 2005
Update On Brazilian Captured in Iraq
Here is the latest on the Brazilian who went missing in Iraq a couple of days ago. It also appears that there was a Brazilian killed in the attack as well.
WorldMilitant group says holding Brazilian hostage
DUBAI (Reuters) - A militant group says it abducted a Brazilian man in an attack on a U.S. firm in Iraq in which it also killed a Briton and another Brazilian, Arab satellite television Al Jazeera has reported.
The group calling itself Al Mujahideen Squadrons (Saraya al-Mujahideen) said it had carried out the attack in cooperation with Iraqi militant group Army of Ansar al-Sunna, and showed in an Internet video an identification card of a Brazilian man, the channel said on Saturday.
A spokesman for Brazil's foreign ministry said the government was aware of the report and was investigating the incident.
It was not clear if this was the same operation claimed by Army of Ansar al-Sunna in which it had earlier said it abducted and killed a Swede and a Briton working for an intelligence agency linked to U.S. forces in the central city of Baiji.
Sweden denied on Saturday that a Swede had been killed and said the victim was most likely Iraqi.
A Briton and an Iraqi employed by London-based Janusian Security Risk Management were killed on Wednesday in an ambush while travelling in a convoy near Baiji. The U.S. military said a third foreign national missing was Brazilian.
The Brazilian worked for Brazil's Odebrecht industrial group and was in Iraq to repair a thermoelectric power generator. Most of the construction company's remaining workers in Iraq have left the country since the employee went missing.
Brazil did not support the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq.
The Internet video aired by Al Jazeera showed an identification card with the name Joao Jose Vasconcelos Jr.
The tape, which has not appeared on Army of Ansar al-Sunna's Web site or other main Islamist sites, showed four masked men, one of whom was reading a statement but his remarks were not audible. It did not show the hostage.
Jazeera did not mention any demands made by the group, which had kidnapped and released a French journalist in April 2004.
It will be interesting to see the reaction of Brazilians to this event. It could hurt the cozy relations between Brazil and the Arab world, or they could blame the whole thing on Bush, or perhaps they will say that it is his (the Brazilian worker's) own fault for being there.
Any of the Brazilian readers of this blog care to comment?
Posted by Andrew at 5:16 PM
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One More Picture of Mikey and the Frog
Please bear with me, but I am having so much fun with this new photo editor.
Posted by Andrew at 1:43 PM
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Brazil and the Penguin
In yet another development in Brazil's love affair with the Penguin, the World Social Forum--to be held in Brazil at the end of this month--will be exclusively using the Linux operating system.
Brazil News 24/7 - Nothing But Brazil - Brazzil Magazine - Fresh news daily - English-language Magazine on Brazilian Culture - Brazil - Brasil - BrsilBrazil's WSF to Be Powered by Linux
Written by Bruno Bocchini
Saturday, 22 January 2005Like the Brazilian government, the World Social Forum wants distance from Microsoft. According to Luciano Brunet, of the Coordination of Information Technology of the Social Forum, all the technology installed in the area of the Forum will use open-code computer programs, the so-called free software.
Brunet added that the infrastructure for 2005 will have a press access center with approximately 180 computers, all using Linux and other free software. Besides this, 30 "cyber cafes" will be available.
"The Forum will provide over one thousand points of internet access," Brunet affirms.
"Communications: Counter-hegemonic Practices, Rights, and Alternatives" will be one of the 11 central topics under discussion at the 5th WSF, which will be held from January 26 to 31 in Porto Alegre, in southern Brazil.
In previous forums, the subject of communications was diluted with other topics. This time it will be highlighted, as may be noted by the number of activities already scheduled: nearly 150.
According to Joaquim Ernesto Palhares, collaborator of the Brazilian Media Observatory and vice-president of Global Media Watch, an international press observatory, the debate over communications is indispensable, to expose the concentration in the Brazilian media and the monopoly of information, among other themes.
Besides the Brazilian organizations, which are responsible for two-thirds of the proposed activities in the communications field, international groups such as CRIS (Communications Rights in the Information Society), AMARC (World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters), ALER (Latin American Radio Education Association), ALAI (Latin American Information Agency), and Global Media Watch will be present at the debates.
Over five thousand journalists, representing 69 countries from five continents, have already been granted credentials to cover the World Social Forum.
Posted by Andrew at 10:44 AM
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January 21, 2005
BRRRRRRR
I just arrived at my parent's house in NY. It is cold, and I am tired, so there will be no further blogging for today. Many interesting things to be blogged about tomorrow. Stay tuned.
Posted by Andrew at 11:01 PM
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Fun With Filters
I am sitting here in my hotel room, thoroughly bored, thoroughly missing my wife and son, and thoroughly unable to sleep. So, I thought I would have some fun with a little photo-editing program a pointed out to me. Here are some "different" takes on the picture I posted below:
I like this one a lot. Gives it kind of a homey feel.
This one was called the "cartoon" filter.
At this point I was getting very bored, and decided to go for something more radical. The result was a kind of a cubism thing.
Now it is clear that I really need to go to bed. I don't remember the name of this filter, but it looks like someone was seriously tripping out on LSD (not that I would know anything about that).
Posted by Andrew at 12:35 AM
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January 20, 2005
Brazilian Abducted in Iraq?
I just got in to Statesville, NC on my way to NY. On the web today there are circulating reports of a Brazilian abducted in Iraq (and yes, I think that is the first time I have ever linked to Al Jazeera). There are no details as of yet, but I would ask that you be in prayer for this man and his family.
Posted by Andrew at 10:13 PM
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January 19, 2005
Mikey the Thinker
In an effort to boost readership of this blog, I am including a picture of the world's cutest kid, taken recently at Cypress Gardens in Winter Haven, Florida. I haven't been able to come up with any captions for this one, but I know some of you out there are gifted in that area. Have at it.
Posted by Andrew at 6:34 PM
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Andrew Goes Wireless
Today, I have joined the 21st century, and installed a wireless card in my laptop. Free at last, free at last!
Posted by Andrew at 6:17 PM
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January 18, 2005
A New Musing
The latest musing over at Got-Musings was written by yours truly. It is called "The Deuteronomy Pep-Talk". Check it out, let me know what you think.
Posted by Andrew at 4:50 PM
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Blog Traffic
I have found a couple ways to increase blog traffic. One, called BlogExplosion, I have been using for some time. It seems to work quite well. The other--BlogClicker--I am just trying out right now.
Does anybody else have any experience with either one? Let me know.
Posted by Andrew at 1:00 PM
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Congratulations Are In Order
To Tim and Vicki Reiner (fellow missionareis in Brazil), on the engagement of their son Jason. The event took place on Sugar Loaf Mountain in Rio de Janeiro (pictured above). Can anybody think of a more romantic place for an engagement to take place? I can't.
Posted by Andrew at 12:00 PM
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January 17, 2005
This Is What Is Wrong With The World
I spend a lot of time writing thought-provoking articles, and reporting on news relating to missions and Brazil, and the post that gets the most comments--17 at this writing--is the one with a moose with his head stuck in a McDonalds drive-thru window. It isn't right.
Posted by Andrew at 4:21 PM
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Microsoft is Worried
It seems as though Bill Gates may be a little concerned about the anti-Microsoft tack being taken by Brazil's government. He has proposed a summit between himself and the leader of the "eighth most wired nation in the world."
Read the full article below:
Continue reading "Microsoft is Worried"
Posted by Andrew at 4:10 PM
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International Importance of Brazil
What follows is an article about the importance of Brazil in the international community, with my astute comments.
Herald.com | 01/06/2005 | Brazil flexes muscles on international stageBrazil flexes muscles on international stage
BY MARIFELI PEREZ-STABLE
marifeli18@hotmail.com
Brazil is the second most important country in the Americas, and President Luiz Incio Lula da Silva is reveling in it.
Did you catch that? The second most important country in the Americas. I am guessing that the first is not Canada.
An activist foreign policy -- centered on gaining greater clout for the erstwhile Third World -- is raising Brazil's profile in world affairs. Gone are the days of the inward-looking giant standing on the sidelines.
This is a very insightful look into Brazil's foreign policy. By making itself the advocate of third-world nations, Brazil is assuring itself of a postition above them. Very smart.
Lula is, in fact, building on the accomplishments of Fernando Henrique Cardoso who had already planted the seed of advocacy. In early 2001, for example, Cardoso delivered a stinging critique of the Free Trade Area of the Americas at the Quebec summit. Later that year, Jos Serra -- his minister of health who lost the election to Lula in 2002 -- successfully argued for allowing exports of generic drugs to poorer countries at the WTO's Doha ministerial meeting. Future presidents are likely to build upon Lula's foreign policy.
Another area where Lula is a debtor to former president Cardoso is in Brazil's economy. If it were not for Cardosos Plano Real, Brazil would not have the stability to take the role it is taking today.
Trade and Free TradeFrom the outset of the new administration in 2003, Itamaraty -- the Brazilian foreign ministry -- put muscle behind the aspiration for international prominence. Lula has relentlessly courted allies for his vision of a more-balanced world, and he has the G-20 -- a group of countries mostly at mid-level development -- to show for it. Brazil, China, South Africa and India are leading the G-20 in negotiations with the World Trade Organization on the testy matter of the rich world's farm subsidies. Last June, Brazil was instrumental in forging a new framework to organize these trade negotiations. Recently, Brasilia nominated its WTO ambassador for the organization's presidency in mid-2005.
Notice that the US was missing from that picture.
Trade is a central lever of Brazilian foreign policy. Trade and free trade are, however, different matters. Though the two are far apart, Brazil co-chairs the talks on the FTAA with the United States. It is also seeking an agreement between the European Union and Mercosur (Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay). Unlike most of Latin America where governments and the private sector have embraced free trade, Brazil's have yet to do so. Making FTAA and EU-Mercosur happen would almost certainly be a boon to the Brazilian economy. While conscientious social policies would be imperative, free trade may well be the impetus for the sustainable growth that has eluded Brazil. Lula's activist foreign policy has, thus far, fallen short in this regard.
The reason they have fallen short in this regard is because of a fundamental mistrust of the US on the part of Brazilian leftists.
Brazil has also mounted an aggressive campaign for a permanent seat on the U.N. Security Council, which may eventually be expanded. Brazil, Germany, Japan and India are the top candidates, and it was Brasilia that took the initiative to join forces in the G-4 to press for their collective admission. Great Britain, France, Russia and China have endorsed Brazil. While the United States has not, Secretary of State Colin Powell noted last October that it ''would be a serious candidate.'' Its leadership of the U.N. peacekeeping mission in Haiti and the recent announcement that U.N. dues in arrears would be paid underscore the significance Brazil accords its bid to join the Security Council as a permanent member.
Brazil LOVES the UN, desperately wants this seat on the security council. It seems like that would be a great barganing chip for the US.
Team PlayerLula is likewise trying to strike a delicate balance with his neighbors in Latin America. Mexico and Argentina have yet to resign their own U.N. aspirations or to accept Brazil's ''natural'' leadership. In Venezuela, Lula pressed upon Hugo Chvez the importance of holding the recall referendum last August. Though initially suspicious of Plan Colombia, he is now cooperating with Alvaro Uribe to prevent border clashes with Colombian guerrillas. His rags-to-power story, his bona fide (if now less fiery) leftist credentials and his solid performance in office make Lula a bulwark of democracy in Latin America. Fortunately, the United States has recognized Lula's value to regional stability and has followed a nuanced policy toward Brazil.
I really dislike the word "nuanced". Perhaps "complex" would be better in this case.
Last June, The Economist noted that Brazil had to decide whether it was a team player in Latin America or a whale with the power to act on its own. Celso Amorim, the Brazilian foreign minister, answered that whales, in fact, ''are gregarious animals.'' The jury is still out on Brazil's regional and international activism. Lula has not quite found the means -- or the will -- to translate his impressive foreign policy into tangible improvements in the social condition of his people.
And that will be the key. To do that, he must look for real solutions, and avoid completely the corruption that so easily besets Latin politics. Here's hoping that he will be successful.
Posted by Andrew at 3:47 PM
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Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
I have to say I really do not know that much about the life of the man we are celebrating today (Martin Luther King Jr., in case you are still wondering why banks and post offices are closed). I just read, however, a great article on the impact he had in the life of a young Iranian girl. I believe there is a free registration required to access this site, but the article is well worth it.
Posted by Andrew at 3:28 PM
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Carnival and Catholics
You will notice in the following article that what bothers the Roman Catholic church is not the gross immorality of what goes on during Carnival, but rather the timing of it relative to Lent.
Times ArgusTalk of changing carnival date irks Catholic leaders in Brazil
January 15, 2005
Associated Press
RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (AP) One year, the floats were too sexy. Another year, organizers wanted to put Jesus on a parade float. This year, Roman Catholic leaders are upset that the date of the free-spirited Carnival may change to a time that will coincide with Lent.
Several top samba groups want to move the festivities, which fall earlier than usual this year, to late February, since they make money from audiences that pay to watch them practice. However, that would conflict with the observation of Lent in predominantly Catholic Brazil.
Carnival's dates can range between early February and early March, ending the day before Ash Wednesday, the day that starts Lent, which is determined by the lunar calendar. Lent is the 40-day period of penitence, sacrifice and reflection that leads up to Easter.
It's not clear if organizers would even consider changing the dates a month before the event. The festivities right now are scheduled to run from Feb. 4-8. The Independent League of Samba Schools, which runs the annual Carnival parade, had no comment.
Posted by Andrew at 3:19 PM
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McMoose
Many of you know that, before I went full time into the ministry, I worked at McDonalds. With that in mind, my friend Kevin sent me this picture. Can anybody come up with a good caption for it?
Posted by Andrew at 2:50 PM
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Please Pray for Believers in Brazil
Today I received an e-mail from fellow missionaries in Brazil, urging people to pray in regard to a law being proposed in the Brazilian legislature. The new law has been proposed by one Denise Frossard, a member of the Brazilian House of Representatives since 2002.
Brazilian Representative Denise Frossard
Below is the meat of the proposal in Portuguese:
...so inelegveis para cargos pblicos: os que, em instituio religiosa judaica, crist, muulmana, budista, hindusta, ou de qualquer outra crena, exercem cargo ou funo de direo administrativa, de representao, de direo ritualstica, de orientador espiritual ou de confessor, ou os tenham exercido nos 12 (doze) meses imediatamente anteriores ao pleito
And in English:
...those who are ineligible for political office include: those who, in religious institutions of the Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, or Hindu faiths, or of any other belief system exersise the responsibility or function of administration, representation, ritualistic leadership, spiritual orientation or confessor, or those who have done so in the 12 months immediately preceding the session.
On her website, she justifies her proposal this way:
A Igreja Universal j controla dois partidos com signicativa bancada: o PL e o PSL e a deciso de criar mais um partido, deixa cada dia mais claro que no propsito dos lderes a Igreja Universal a pregao do Evangelho de Cristo. O que eles buscam, na verdade, o exerccio do Poder em benefcio prprio, usando a boa f e a sinceridade dos fiis.Querem fazer das igrejas e dos templos o sindicato da f. Esquecem-se que uma das poucas vezes que o Mestre foi tomado de irritao profunda, chegando agressividade fsica, foi quando encontrou na porta do Templo os que vendiam e compravam coisas.
O Evangelho Segundo Mateus registra no Captulo 21, verso 12: "E entrou Jesus no templo de Deus, e expulsou todos os que vendiam e compravam no templo, e derribou as mesas dos cambistas e as cadeiras dos que vendiam pombas (..) E disse-lhes: Est escrito: A minha casa ser chamada casa de orao; mas vs a tendes convertido em covil de ladres.
Translation:
The Universal Church already controls two parties with a significant group of seats: the PL and the PSL, and the decision to create yet another party, makes it clearer day by day that the preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is not intention of the leaders of the Universal Church. What they are after, in truth, is the exercise of Power for their own benefit, using the good faith and the sincerity of the faithful. They want to make of the churches and the temples a syndicate (labor union) of faith. They forget that one them few times that the Master was overcome by deep irritation, even physical aggressiveness, was when it found in the door of the Temple the ones that sold and bought things.The Gospel of Mathew registers in Chapter 21, verse 12: "and Jesus entered the temple of God, and banished all the ones that sold and bought in the temple, and threw down the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those who sold doves (..) and said to them: It is written: My house will be called a house of prayer; but you have made it into a den of thieves.
It would appear, therefore, that her intent is to block the growing influence of the Igreja Universal do Reino de Deus, which is, in fact, a cult of enormous proportions with tremendous financial interests. The moneychanger analogy is very fitting when referring to them.
The problem, however, is that the proposed bill would significantly reduce the voice of true Christians in Brazilian government. Instead of pinpointing the problem posed by the Igreja Universal, she seeks to disenfranchise all religious groups. If you read the list of those who are prohibited from political life, it would include Sunday School teachers, choir directors, song leaders, and just about anybody who takes an active role in the church, other than attendance.
The passage of this bill could be a disaster for religious freedom in Brazil. Please pray for its failure.
Posted by Andrew at 12:44 PM
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Lord of the Rings Risk
I have been having fun with my Christmas present. If you love Risk, and love Lord of the Rings, this is the game for you!
Posted by Andrew at 11:19 AM
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January 14, 2005
Back In Florida
I just got back from my week-long trip to Alabama. It was quite and experience, to be sure. We met several pastors, and visited quite an array of churches. Now I am going home to get some rest, before next week's trip to New York.
Posted by Andrew at 4:37 PM
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January 12, 2005
Brazilian Mudslides
While we are focused on the tragedies caused by mudslides in California, many Brazilians are facing a similar tragedy tonight:
Brazilian Mudslides Kill 7Heavy rains in Brazil have caused deadly mudslides that have killed at least seven people, mostly children.
Authorities say the victims lived in a shantytown in the industrial suburb of Sao Bernardo do Campo, near the city of Sao Paulo.
Torrential rains have lashed the Sao Paulo region since Tuesday.
Posted by Andrew at 9:15 PM
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Brazilians in Space
Below is an article from the World Peace Herald about new directions in Brazil's space program. In the article they mention the Alcantara space station, which is located near my wife's hometown of So Lus, in the state of Maranho.
Continue reading "Brazilians in Space"
Posted by Andrew at 9:11 PM
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January 11, 2005
Brazil Moves Farther from Microsoft
The following article from Brazzil magazine is one more installment in the Brazilian love affair with Linux
Another Push Far from Microsoft, in BrazilSince Sunday, Brazilian government's Radiobrs Internet services, are using free source software. This is in compliance with a federal government decision for its users to migrate to cost-free programs like Linux that allow users to execute, study, modify and forward them without restrictions.
The final "migration" to free source software began Saturday morning (January 8) and ended only on Sunday afternoon. During the transfer, radiobras.gov.br services were precarious and frequently off the air. Since Sunday afternoon the service has been back to normal.
However, the migration process began way back in mid-2003 when a group of 25 computer specialists began the gradual replacement of servers and workstations.
One of the immediate results of the migration to free source software will be a significant reduction in operational costs for Radiobrs.
The federal government's ITI (Instituto Nacional de Tecnologia da Informao - National Institute of Information Technology), an organ linked to the president's Chief of Staff cabinet, is in charge of the free software program for all federal branches.
Free software is already a reality in several government institutions in Brazil. Civil servants in federal, state, and municipal spheres are installing and managing administrative structures with platforms and applications based on open sources.
Last April, the Brazilian government promoted the First Week of Preparation and Training in Free Software. On that occasion, over 2,200 civil servants participated in 150 technical training courses.
More than just provide training, the week was intended to expand the participants' familiarity with open software, turning them into propagators of the knowledge and technology related to open source platforms.
According to Presidential Chief of Staff, Minister Jos Dirceu, the event was the fruit of a collective effort that began in the Electronic Government Executive Committee to disseminate the culture of free software, the universalization of information, and digital inclusion in the country.
"The challenge is to transform this tool into a concrete instrument for the improvement of public administration. Therefore, I ask all of you to pledge yourselves to pass along all the knowledge you acquire."
According to the president of the National Institute of Information Technology (ITI), Srgio Amadeu, mastery of free software can place Brazil among the world's major technological powers.
For him, the option in favor of free software represents a cultural change, an option for a new development model and the use of collective intelligence.
"The Week of Preparation in Free Software is the beginning of a shift to a future that will surely be a free future," he declared at the time.
Posted by Andrew at 8:39 PM
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Brazil Update
The following is a letter from John and Karen Swedberg, veteran missionaries in Brazil:
Eight hundred flyers were passed out for the VBS which starts tomorrow morning and ends on Sunday morning. There were eight of us, so it went quite quickly. We are thankful for the co-operation of the members.
Pray for good attendance, salvation of souls and contacts with the families. We have had lots of rain, but usually it is in the afternoon. So, we are trusting the Lord for good weather too.
January 24-28th will be our Field Council meeting in Fortaleza. John will be leading that meeting. Pray for the speakers. The speaker who was asked to come can't due to illness. Eight of our missionaries will be sharing the Word with us. Pray for unity, clarity of thinking and good fellowship. We always enjoy being with our co-workers.
Posted by Andrew at 8:19 PM
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Paint Me A Birmingham
Arrived today in Birmingham, AL, and spent most of the day trying to contact pastors. It appears that Tuesday is official "staff meeting" day for Baptist churches in Birmingham. Other than the pastor we talked to over breakfast at McDonalds, we struck out. Hopefully tomorrow will be better.
Posted by Andrew at 8:09 PM
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Sweet Home Alabama
Just a little note to let you all know that I have not died (although my comment section seems to be lifeless 
). I am currently travelling with Dennis Doughman, southeast representative for Baptist Mid Missions. We will be spending the week here, visiting churches and setting up meetings. I will update when possible.
Posted by Andrew at 8:16 AM
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January 7, 2005
Brazil's Help for Tsunami Victims
Brazzil Magazine just posted the following article:
Brazil to Send Aircraft Carrier to Help Tsunami Victims
Written by Irene Lbo
Friday, 07 January 2005Brazil's government is studying the possibility of increasing its aid to the Asian and African countries affected by the tsunami and even send an aircraf carrier. The matter was discussed this morning by Brazilian President Luiz Incio Lula da Silva
Lula gathered with some of his aides at a political coordination meeting, which was attended by he Minister of Defense, Jos Alencar, and the head of the Cabinet of Institutional Security (GSI), Jorge Armando Flix, among others.
At a special meeting, President Lula, Vice-president Jos Alencar, Jorge Armando Flix, and the commanders of the Armed Forces discussed the possibility of sending an aircraft carrier with 1,200 Navy personnel, troops from the Army Engineers' Batallion, and Armed Forces helicopters to the affected areas.
Tonight, the third shipment of Brazilian donations to Southeast Asia will depart for Indonesia. This shipment will contain nine tons of water and seven tons of medications.
The mission will also transport specialists from the Armed Forces and the Ministries of Health, Agriculture, and Foreign Relations.
They will evaluate the most urgent requirements of the countries struck by the tidal waves and furnish guidance for Brazil's effort from now on.
December 11, General Jorge Armando Flix will represent Brazil at the meeting of donor countries organized by the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland.
The meeting will make decisions regarding further donations as well as the possibility of pardoning the debts of the countries affected by the tsunamis.
Posted by Andrew at 3:46 PM
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More About "Bloguinho"
Earlier I wrote about the new character in the Monica's Gang cartoon series, who speaks only internet-speak. Today I found the official announcement of his debut at the Monica's Gang website.
The article makes the interesting observation that over 7 million people use this form of communication in one form or another. Who knows, in a few years we might see them defined as a people group, at which point work could begin on a new translation of the Bible, just for internet geeks.
Posted by Andrew at 3:03 PM
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A Missionary Love Fest
Feeble Knees, a blog I just happened to surf at the other day, has a very refreshing article about missionaries.
Posted by Andrew at 11:45 AM
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January 6, 2005
E-Mail Notification
Moveable Type has a feature which automatically notifies people via e-mail every time I update this blog. If you would be intersted in receiving these e-mails, drop me a line at andrew@comingstobrazil.com.
Posted by Andrew at 1:37 PM
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Guestmap
It has been a while since I mentioned the guestmap. I thought it would be neat to show you a picture of it, so you can see where people are visiting us from.
If you have not yet signed the guestmap, you can do so by finding the link on the sidebar, or by clicking here.
Posted by Andrew at 1:27 PM
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January 5, 2005
Support Update
The other day we discovered that we had one more supporting church than was on our official list. This, happily, has brought our committed support up to $2135.00 per month--or 57% of that which we actually need.
On a related note, something has broken in the code that we use for the thermometer on the side, so it will look a little wierd until we figure out what the problem is.
Posted by Andrew at 4:54 PM
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More Tsunami Stuff
The following is an official communication recieved today from the headquarters of our mission board:
Since 12/26/04 the attention of the entire world has been focused on the Pacific Rim. A devastating loss of life and destruction of property was experienced by the region, both in the earthquake and the tsunami waves that followed. It is now known that the efforts needed for relief in this area will take years, not weeks.
The people of the region have current severe needs for food, medicine, water, clothing and shelter. The prospect that millions will face virulent disease in the next weeks is heart wrenching. Baptist Mid-Missions has personnel serving in several of the affected countries and throughout the region. The task is mammoth. One of our missionaries is already a part of a medical team to Sri Lanka. We are currently investigating the opportunities for medical teams to go to the affected region within the next several weeks. Our initial focus for aid will be where our resident personnel can facilitate the process.BMMs World Relief Fund is used to provide aid for this type of crisis. BMMs World Relief Fund combines Gospel ministry with meeting of immediate needs. Donors can expect the full amount of any donation to be used for relief efforts. No fees are deducted for the administration of the Fund in BMM's Home Office.
We have already allocated $10,000 for medicines and supplies to aid those in need, and will advance more as needs are assessed and prioritized. Additional funds are needed.
Over the next weeks the BMM website will carry updated information and descriptions of potential service opportunities.
Any gifts should be sent to:
BMM - World Relief - Tsunami
Baptist Mid-Missions
PO Box 308011
Cleveland, OH 44130-8011Gifts can be sent by mail or via our website through credit card or bank draft. Our website address is www.bmm.org. World relief inquiries can be directed to Mr. Larry Beckman, World Relief Fund administrator, at lbeckman@bmm.org.
BMMs ability to respond to an event such as this is dependent upon the generous giving of God's people. It would be our delight to serve you by conveying contributions, large or small, of your church and your family. Gifts will help alleviate suffering now and will help rebuild churches and homes later on. Thank you for letting us facilitate your giving. We know that your prayers will accompany these efforts. We deeply appreciate your help at this time.
Yours for the Sake of the Gospel!
Dr. Gary L. Anderson, President Jude 22
Baptist Mid-Missions
Posted by Andrew at 4:31 PM
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The Tsunami Reaches Brazil
The fact that an earthquake in the middle of the Pacific could have an effect on the Atlantic coast of Brazil is simply amazing to me
CNEWS - Science: Scientists Register Tsunami Effects on Brazil Coast
RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (AP) - The effect of the tsunami that devastated Southeast Asia was noted as far away as Brazil, some 15,500 kilometers (10,000 miles) away from the epicenter of the earthquake that generated the massive wave, scientists said.
Monitoring devices on the coast of Rio de Janeiro state detected an abnormal rise in the tides on Dec. 26, the day of the natural disaster, oceanographer Rogerio Neder Candella said Tuesday.
Candella, of the Admiral Paulo Moreira Institute for Ocean Studies, attributed the abnormal rise to the tsunami.
"We saw oscillations in the sea level that resembled tides but with shorter intervals," Candella said. "On the beach it would be hard to have noticed it. There was not at any moment any danger to the population or to property."
The irregular tide was also noticed by the navy's Oceanographic Information Center, which said tides rose about 30 centimeters (12 inches) higher than usual at odd intervals.
"We haven't seen a disturbance like this since we began monitoring ocean levels," navy Commander Marcelo Cavalcante told the O Globo newspaper. "We now know there was fallout from the tsunamis even on the Brazilian coast."
Scientists linked the irregular tides - detected between 9 p.m. (2300 GMT) on Dec. 26 and 11 a.m. (1300 GMT) on Dec. 27 - with the tsunami, by calculating the waves were traveling at a speed of 708 kph (440 mph).
Posted by Andrew at 4:27 PM
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