January 31, 2006

Contextualization in the Extreme?

Actually, this is Jim and Julie Leonard and family--fellow missionaries here in Brazil--on a recent trip to Argentina and Uruguay. For this picture, they dressed up in traditional Paraguayan garb. Jim tells me that Paraguayans are very proud of their military.

He also told me to let you know that Uruguayans need Christ too.

Posted by Andrew at 7:55 PM
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January 30, 2006

Special Music

This is the youth group at our church here in Brazil doing special music.

Posted by Andrew at 6:56 AM
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Mikey is in School

Today I took Mikey to his first day of school. This is a picture of him with his teacher. In case you can't tell by the expression on his face, my son was absolutely thrilled to be at school.

The house seems kinda quiet now.

Posted by Andrew at 5:58 AM // Comments: 2 //
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January 29, 2006

Full House

This was the scene at our house this afternoon as several of the kids from the youth group came for a visit.

Posted by Andrew at 3:29 PM // Comments: 2 //
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Interesting Contrast

I can remember situations in the US where the music director had to virtually beg people to allow themselves to be put on the "special music list."

Today, in our Brazilian church, I was given the responsibility of leading the worship for this evening's service. As soon as people discovered that I would be the worship leader, I was virtually mobbed by those who wanted to do present a special number.

I know that I have a lot to learn from their availability for service.

Posted by Andrew at 10:55 AM
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January 28, 2006

Worship

As we prepare to worship in churches around the world tomorrow, I thought I would share the words from a chorus that was sung this evening by the young people in our church here in Brazil:

Tu es merecedor de receber Bem mais do que eu posso dar E o mais alto lugar de agoracao que eu alcancar Ainda estara debaixo dos seus pes.

...in English...

You are deserving to receive Much more than I can possibly give And the highest place of adoration that I can reach Will still be below Your feet.

Posted by Andrew at 7:46 PM
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Things I Didn't Expect

Life is full of surprises. Here are three things that took me surprise this week.

1. I was driving on one of the main avenues of Juazeiro do Norte, and found myself behind a truck with a French license plate. There has to be a very interesting story there. How did a French vehicle wind up in the middle of the Brazilian sertão?

2. I was at a parent's meeting yesterday at my son's school, and I introduced myself to a man sitting near me. It turns out he is from Cape Verde. How he ended up in Juazeiro do Norte must be as interesting a story as that of the French pickup.

3. By far the most unexpected thing I came across this week was a guy decked out in cowboy garb and singing "Way Down Yonder on the Chattahoochee" in English--sort of. Alan Jackson would probably have been appalled.

Posted by Andrew at 2:41 PM
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January 26, 2006

Mission Trip Website

The youth group and college/career group from our sending church is coming down in May to spend ten days with us. They just set up a weblog to cronicle their progress. Check it out!

Posted by Andrew at 4:36 PM // Comments: 1 //
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January 24, 2006

This Week's Funny Sign from Brazil

Jesus' Bar. Strange.

There are several very funny signs around here, and I hope to make this a somewhat weekly feature. Kind of like the old caption challenges, except not nearly as time-consuming for me.

Posted by Andrew at 4:00 PM // Comments: 4 //
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January 22, 2006

A Big "Thank-You"

...to those of you who were praying for me this morning. The devotional I gave went off without serious errors in Portuguese, and it seemed to be received well. Also, Itacyara gave a Sunday School lesson to the ladies of the church, which resulted in her getting invited to speak at the regional ladies conference in April.

Posted by Andrew at 10:07 AM
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January 21, 2006

Preaching Tomorrow

Hey guys, I would appreciate your prayers as I preach tomorrow. Pray that I would let the text speak for itself, and that it would be understandable to those who hear it, and that there would be fruit in lives, including my own.

Thanks.

Posted by Andrew at 7:40 PM // Comments: 1 //
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January 17, 2006

All For A Tank Of Gas...

As I was returning from the Seminary today, I noticed that the truck was almost out of gas. Pulling into the nearest gas station, I asked the attendant to abastecer (fill-'er-up, in Portuguese). Yes, we still have gas station attendants here. Yet another aspect of Brazilian culture we like!

As he was filling it up, I checked to make sure the station accepted Visa, as that was the only form of payment I had on me at the time. It did.

After filling up the tank, the attendant took my card, and I waited for the receipt. Shortly, he was back. "Our machine doesn't seem to be working" he informed me. "Do you have any other form of payment."

That was when the fun started. Not having any other options, the only thing to do was to go to the nearest ATM, about 10 minutes away. The attendant was reluctant to let me go, but he really had no other choice.

When I arrived at the shopping center where the ATM is, I discovered that it was down for repairs. "Don't worry" said one of the workers. "There is a machine in the mall that is accepting your kind of Visa." I went inside, and of course it was NOT accepting my kind of Visa.

The only other option that remained was to go to the main bank in downtown Juazeiro. This was not something I looked forward to, but--as I said--it was my only option.

Traffic was moving at the pace if a snail on ritalin. Upon arriving at the bank, I was relieved to see that there were no significant lines. I took out the needed cash, and went back to the truck.

I finally arrived at the gas station--an hour-and-a-half after I had left. The attendant was there waiting for me, a huge look of relief on his face. As I pulled up to him, I rolled down the window and said "You weren't expecting me to come back, were you?"

"Man, I kept looking at my watch and wondering" was his reply. "Thank you so much for coming back. Not everyone would have done that."

As I handed him the cash, he repeated "God bless you!" over and over again. As I was about to tell him that it was only because of the inworking of the Holy Spirit that there was anything good in me, a car pulled up and he went to attend it.

I am hoping to follow up with him. God used a major inconvenience to open up an opportunity, and I do not want to miss it.

Posted by Andrew at 7:02 PM
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Mikey Update

We took Mikey to the doctor again today, and she was very encouraged with his progress. The inflammation in the boils has gone down, and he is walking much better. Today he even climbed (more like "shimmied") up the front gate to unlatch it so I could pull the truck in.

Thanks for your prayers. We are going to be taking him back for another checkup next Monday.

Posted by Andrew at 6:56 PM
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January 16, 2006

Pray for Mikey

As I mentioned in an earlier post, he developed some boils on his leg and arm. Today we took him to a pediatrician in Juazeiro. Because one of the boils is right on the knee--making it painful for him to walk--she had us get an x-ray. She also prescribed some antibiotics. We are to go back tomorrow for the results.

Posted by Andrew at 12:28 PM // Comments: 3 //
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January 15, 2006

The Northeast Region

This is the awesome team of missionaries we work with here in Brazil. We gathered last week at Treasure Island for fellowship, spiritual refreshment, and strategic planning. More pictures of our time on the Island--which is located on the Sobradinho Reservoir in the state of Bahia--can be seen on the photo page.

Also, Byron Atha, one of the missionaries that works on the Island, has set up a website which includes lots of pictures.

Posted by Andrew at 8:02 PM
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Home Again

We are home safely from our NE Regional Conference at Treasure Island. Pictures are currently being uploaded.

This was my first conference as an official (albeit nonvoting) member of the Northeast Region of the Baptist Mid-Missions Brazil field. It was really neat to be able to participate in strategic planning, and interact with fellow missionaries. We serve with a tremendous group of colleagues!

If you think of it, pray for Mikey, who returned from the island with some sort of boil on his knee. It is quite painful to him. Tomorrow we are going to pay a visit to the doctor to find out exactly what it is.

Posted by Andrew at 3:56 PM
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January 9, 2006

Future Ministry

I almost forgot to post this picture. It is of properties recently purchased by Pastor Francisco in São Luí­s. It may not look like much, but it is actually a very strategic location in a very populated area which is ripe for the Gospel.

Please pray that God would supply the needed funds to develop this ministry. Itacyara and I plan to help as much as possible.

Posted by Andrew at 9:22 PM
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Missionary Tragedy

Perhaps this story hit me hard because it happened to fellow missionaries, or because the little boy in question was four years old--the same age as my son. Whatever the case, please be praying for this missionary family in your prayers, as this holiday season was not a joyous one for them.

Posted by Andrew at 7:40 PM
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January 7, 2006

I've Been Tagged

Usually I don't participate in these games that sweep accross the blogosphere, but this time I got tagged by my Dad. So, here goes:

1. Two toes on each of my feet are fused together higher than the other three. I get this from my Mom.

2. If I could live in another decade other than the one I am living in now, it would have to be the Roaring Twenties.

3. I live in Brazil, yet I don't like coffee. Go figure.

4. If I could live in any country other than Brazil, it would be France (NOT!)

5. I like electric trains.

6. Theodore Roosevelt was born on my birthday.
-------------------

Here's how the tagging game works.

1.) Start with six random/weird facts about yourself.
2.) Tag six people, who now have to post six random facts about themselves, as well as clearly post these rules.
3.) Make sure to post the names of the six people at the end of your post.
4.) Leave the six tagged people a comment on their website telling them that they are tagged, and to go to your xanga for the rules/information.
5.) If you've been tagged more than once, you only have to post once and tag once.

Ok. I am now going to tag Steven, Jeremiah, Daniel, Mark, Jesse, and Shane.

Posted by Andrew at 8:13 AM // Comments: 3 //
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January 5, 2006

What Missionaries Read

Recently a friend introduced me to Library Thing, an online library cataloging program. Since I am unpacking my library, I decided to catalog them at the same time. I currently have 99 books listed, and I am nowhere near finished yet.

While going through my books, I found a few of the Sugar Creek Gang series that enthralled me as a child. I have decided to start reading them to my son. Does anybody else remember these books?

Posted by Andrew at 9:56 PM // Comments: 4 //
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We Made It

...back home from vacation. Just so you know.

Posted by Andrew at 2:34 PM
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January 3, 2006

Visit to Alcântara

Two days ago we went on a trip to the island of Alcântara, of the coast of São Luís. This island, originally inhabited by a group of Indians (or native-Brazilians, if you prefer), was taken by the Portuguese in the mid 17th century. Many of the buildings on the island date from that era.

Having recently read the book of Ecclesiastes, I was struck by the futility of riches as I walked the streets of Alcântara. At one time, the richest of the rich had magnificent homes there, and made their living on the backs of slaves. Military authority was projected by fort which commanded the entrance to São Luís.

Now, most of the casarões are in ruins. The fortifications have crumbled, and the cannons lie half-buried in the sand. Kids--many of them descendants of slaves who passed through the human markets of Alcântara--play soccer on the old parade ground.

Only one life, 'twil soon be past. Only what's done for Christ will last.

Be sure to check out the pictures we took on the trip.

Posted by Andrew at 8:09 PM TrackBack: 1 //
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Vacation Almost Over

Christmas break is almost over for us. I am quite looking forward to getting "back in the saddle". Tomorrow morning we will begin our trip back home to Juazeiro do Norte, arriving Thursday afternoon.

I am currently uploading some pictures of our activities here in São Luís. I learned a lot about the the city, as well as the state of Maranhão. I was also struck by three things:

1. The openness of the people to the gospel.
2. The intense investment in the region by cults.
3. The lack of investment in the region by those proclaiming the true gospel.

This is the area where we have targeted to minister in the future. This trip has made us very anxious to get started here.

Posted by Andrew at 6:46 PM
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