January 31, 2007

American Brazilian Ingenuity

The beginning of the 2007 school year is fast approaching here at the seminary, and I am frantically trying to get my office into a presentable condition before students arrived. High on my list has been getting thirteen framed pictures up on my wall. Since walls here are brick and concrete, it is a little more complicated than pounding hammer and nail into sheet rock.

Fortunately, we have Josiel. Josiel is a seminary student who stayed here during break to work on various construction projects. This morning he appeared at my office, ready to hang my pictures.

As he spread his tools out on the floor, he realized that he would need an extension cord for his electric drill. Not finding one anywhere around, I was about ready to run into town to get one, when he stopped me.

"There's no need" he said. He then went to the storage room where there are a variety of electric devices, including two spotlights with rather long power cords. Deftly, Josiel cut one of the wires, opened it up, rigged up a makeshift plug, and connected it to his drill.

It worked like a charm. After hanging all the pictures, he spliced the wire back into it's original place.

This illustrates a fundamental difference between the modern American mentality and the Brazilian. I immediately thought about buying an extension, while Josiel looked for a way to make due with what he had.

My grandfather always used to say that there is always something nearby you can use. He would have gotten along very well with Josiel.

Posted by Andrew at 9:28 AM // Comments: 2 //
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January 29, 2007

Things Could Be Worse

Things could be worse.

That phrase found its way into my thought process several times today. It is a good phrase to remember, especially in the midst of frustrating events.

The main source of my frustration today was the bank. Late last week, my debit card developed a problem whereby it was no longer readable by ATM machines and cash registers. Since both of these functions are essential—in truth, I can think of no other reason to even have a debit card—I made my way to the bank for what in the US would be a ten-minute process.

Two hours later I left the bank, having been informed that I would need to wait fifteen to twenty days for my new card. This posed a problem, because I will be needing to make several transactions between now and then. Itacyara has a card, but had been unable to use it due to a problem with the password. Now it would be necessary to take care of that problem.

Home for a quick lunch, and then back to the bank, this time with Itacyara in tow. Optimistically, I figured that it would be an in-and-out visit. Two hours later, we finally had a resolution to our problem.

As I cooled my heels in the bank, my mind drifted to stories told me by veteran missionaries here in Northeast Brazil. When they arrived in the region, ATM machines and debit cards were completely unheard of. Instead, money had to be brought physically from Fortaleza—a long and perilous journey in those days.

Yes, I thought. It could be worse.

Yesterday being Sunday, I drove the family to church in the sturdy pickup truck God has provided for our use. I parked on the street, and went in to worship.

When I returned, I found that someone had decided that the factory paint job was too dull, and had taken a stone and scratched designs of a decidedly cubist nature into the side of the vehicle. Call me a cretin, but I did not appreciate the artwork.

Persecution! While I was worshiping God in church, somebody had maliciously scratched my car! Surely, “these are the times that try men’s souls.”

Then my mind wandered to the pioneer missionaries on our field who had to have police protection at times, who were refused common courtesies, who were pelted with stones in the streets, and whose children had to endure all manner of mocking from neighborhood kids. Not to mention the multitude of believers around the world in our own times who pay for their faith in Christ—to quote Thomas Jefferson--with their “lives, their fortunes, their sacred honor.”

Suddenly the scratches on my pickup pale in comparison. Things could definitely be worse.

The following passage comes to mind:

“…looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. (Heb.12:2-4 KJV)”

None of our petty suffering comes close to what Christ suffered for us. Most of us don’t even bleed for the Gospel. May God allow us to put things into perspective, and to see his hand in our adversities, petty or otherwise.

Posted by Andrew at 7:36 PM
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Book of the Week: The Birth of Britain

After reading Churchill's series on World War Two--laden as it is with personal correspondence and burdensome details--his "The Birth of Britain" is a refreshing change.

I found all 500 pages to be riveting. Churchill covers English History, from pre-Roman days to the beginning of the Tudor dynasty, with imagination-capturing prose.

Of special interest to me was his treatment of religious themes. For example, he comments on the Palagian controversy that early came to Britains shores:

This doctrine consisted in assigning an undue importance to free will, and cast a consequential slur upon the doctrine of original sin. It thus threatened to deprive mankind, from its very birth, of an essential part of our inheritance.

In fact, in reading this book one truth becomes evident: The Christianity that developed in England was always of a different breed than that which developed in the rest of Europe--even though for much of British history it was bound in theory to the same Roman system. This has profound impact on later ecclesiastical history.

This is not lost on Churchill, who is at once very forthcoming in his praise of Christianity as a civilizing factor for society, and very critical of the Roman Catholic system and it's effect on medieval England.

The author also spends quite some time detailing in very complimentary terms the life and work of Wycliff.

On a personal note, I was very pleased to see the paragraphs dedicated to my ancestors, the Comyn clan of Scotland. Theirs is a noble and tragic tale, proving that right does not necessarily make might.

The Birth of Britain is an outstanding read, both from a historical and theological perspective.

Posted by Andrew at 6:09 PM
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January 26, 2007

Drum Roll Please

Somebody bought a book!

New York Times best seller list here we come! (Ok, maybe not. Still, it is pretty exciting for me.)

If you have no idea what I am talking about, click on the picture below.

Posted by Andrew at 9:45 PM // Comments: 2 //
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January 25, 2007

The Newest Comings

This morning Itacyara had her first ultrasound. Here is the first glimps the world has of the newest Comings.

This is the most complete profile. There is no confirmation yet as to whether it is a boy or a girl.

One of the most emotional moments of the morning for me was hearing the baby's heartbeat. Above is the graph, which shows that everything is normal. We could actually see the little heart pumping away.

In my opinion, every woman considering an abortion needs to watch her child's heart beating.

This is a "3-D" image. You can see the little hands in front of the face. The baby was very active, and even sucked it's thumb once or twice during the sonogram.

According to the calculation of the doctor, the baby is 15 weeks and 5 days old. The birth should take place sometime in June.

I hope to be able to get video of the next sonogram.

Posted by Andrew at 10:15 AM // Comments: 11 //
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January 23, 2007

Rejoice and Be Glad!

For my laptop has been fixed.

For now.

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January 22, 2007

Missionary Comedy

I posted this before, but I have been setting up my YouTube Vlog, and thought I would include this video.

Enjoy.

The really funny part starts after the dialog.

Posted by Andrew at 2:07 PM // Comments: 2 //
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January 21, 2007

Cowboys, Kings, and Villains

At long last, I am pleased to announce the publication of Cowboys, Kings, and Villains, my very first foray into the world of book publishing!

This is a collection of puppet scripts I have written over the years. They are designed to transmit a Christian worldview in an entertaining and imagination-capturing way. All of the scripts found in Cowboys, Kings, and Villains have been used in actual church settings. Two of them won prizes in state competitions.

If you should purchase the book and use any of the scripts, I would greatly appreciate your feedback. At present it is only available at our Cafepress Store. Later I hope to make it available at Amazon.com and other larger venues.

A special thanks is due to Shanna Riddle, who worked hard to come up with the attractive cover you see above. For those of you who do not know her, Shanna is a young lady from our sending church who is following the Lord's leading in her life towards missions--very possibly here in Brazil with us. Drop her a line of encouragement!

Posted by Andrew at 1:51 PM
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João Pessoa Review

Mikey and I arrived safe and sound at home yesterday after our two weeks at the camp in João Pessoa. The first week we attended the annual meeting of our Northeastern Regional Field Council. The big news there is that I was chosen to be the director of the camp at Iguatu. Itacyara and I accepted this with the idea that--besides being a tremendous ministry experience--it will provide us with much needed experience before we try to start a camp in Maranhão.

Following the meeting Itacyara returned to Juazeiro to keep the home fires burning, and Mikey and I stayed at the camp, where I was the speaker for teen week. Fifty-five young people were in attendance. The theme for the week was "Rebels". I gave six messages: "The Foolishness of Rebellion Against God", "The Danger of Rebellion Against Human Authorities", "The Eternal Rebellion Against the Kingdom of Satan", "The Courageous Rebellion Against the Tyranny of Peer Pressure", "The Constant Rebellion Against the Dictatorship of the Flesh", and "The Important Rebellion Against Doctrinal Error."

Many of the young people made decisions with regard to their spiritual walk during the week. Quite a few came up afterward and expressed their appreciation for what they had learned.

We are very grateful to God for the way He worked, and for His protection during our travels.

We are also grateful to colleagues Jeff and Ivana Reiner for the invitation, and for their hard work in making the camp week a success.

A special word of thanks goes to all of you also for your prayers for us during the past few weeks. They were not in vain.

Posted by Andrew at 12:46 PM
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January 16, 2007

I'm Still Alive

Just a quick update from a cyber cafe in João Pessoa. Lots of exciting stuff going on. Full report when I get home.

Posted by Andrew at 11:02 AM
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January 8, 2007

Conference Time

Everything indicates that I will be away from the computer for the better part of two weeks while we attend the regional meeting in João Pessoa. If you should get bored in that two-week period, you can check out our revamped YouTube homepage.

Or, you can read a good book.

Posted by Andrew at 12:06 AM
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January 6, 2007

You Win, Daddy!

"When I say 'three' Daddy, we are going to race to the car."

This familiar challenge came from my five-year-old son. His eyes danced with the anticipation that once again he would "beat" Daddy in this little tradition we have.

No doubt the day will come--and sooner than I would like to think--when he will actually be able to beat me in a race. For now, however, I hold the speed advantage. I usually let him win. He gets a kick out of the big show I put on of being too exhausted to make it to the end as his short little legs carry him past me on his way to "victory".

"Go!"

As we took off, I decided that I should probably let the little guy know that his old Dad still has it in him. I'm sure ego had something to do with it as well. I mean, a man's pride can only take being beaten by first-grader for so long.

As we sped toward the car, I stretched out my legs and easily covered the distance, leaving Mikey in the dust. Having won a crushing victory, I immediately felt guilt pangs. Had I damaged his ego? Had I disappointed my son?

I turned around just as he came chugging up. His eyes still danced with glee, a big smile on his face.

"You win! Now you are happy! Good job, Daddy!" A giggle rippled out of him like a bubbling brook, and he opened the door of the car to get in. I stood for a moment to collect my emotions.

My son was just as happy that I had won as he would have been if he had been the victor. There was no regret, no pouting--just unadulterated joy and happiness for my victory. The fact that he had lost made absolutely no difference to him.

Later, as I reflected on that event, I was reminded of what Paul says in his letter to the Philippians:

Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. (Phil 2:3-4, NKJV)

I remember vividly the feelings of jealousy that would creep into my heart when, while on deputation, I would hear of fellow missionary candidates who had been approved for the field.

Today I hear of things being accomplished by other missionaries, and I wonder why I cannot be involved in something like that.

Without knowing it, my son taught me today how to view the successes of others without wishing that they were my own.

Thanks, Mikey.

Posted by Andrew at 9:27 PM // Comments: 2 //
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Book of the Week: Real Worship

Real Worship by Waren Wiersbe really messed with me, and I am glad for it. Wiersbe challenged all my pre-conceived notions of worship, and I came away feeling that I have not even begun to experience what God intends for His people.

The author struck home early in the book with the following analysis of worship-less missions:

When missions is divorced from worship, the human need can become momre important than the divine glory; and the and the strategy used might be the result of human observations rather than a God-given spiritual vision.

By far the hardest chapter to read, however, was the third. In it the author discusses "metamorphosis versus masquerade".

Other subjects such as music, liturgy, and balance in corporate worship are dealt with at length. Yet the focus of the book is consistently brought back to the individual worshiper--his attitudes, motives, and heart condition.

This book is a must-read for anybody serious about knowing what true worship is all about.

Posted by Andrew at 9:19 PM
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January 5, 2007

Addicted to Chocolate and Pepper?

No, this post has nothing to do with my wife's pregnancy cravings. So far, (and thankfully) she has had none.

This is about a Brazilian novela entitle Chocolate e Pimenta (Chocolate and Pepper).

Let me begin by saying that 99.999% of all Brazilian novelas are merely racy propaganda pieces for spiritism, homosexuality, adultery, and a host of other vices. Since my arrival in Brazil I have not wasted my time on a single episode of these tedious, mass-produced cess-pools.

Chocolate com Pimenta is different.

First, it is a novela de epoca. This means that it is set in a time other than modern days. In the case of this series, it is Brazil of the 1920's--a much more innocent period in this country's history.

In contrast to all other novelas, in this story marriages are honored, family values extolled, virtues upheld, and the responsibilities of fatherhood honored.

In a refreshing counterpoint to most entertainment today (in Brazil or the US) there are no homosexual overtones, even though there could be. One of the characters is a boy, who, through the deception of his mother, is being brought up as a girl. However, the conclusion that is reached is that boys are boys and girls are girls, no matter what kind of "conditioning" they may have undergone.

The main storyline (in these novelas there are always several) revolves around Ana Francisca, a young girl being raised by her rural relatives on a farm. Attending school in the city, she falls in love with Danilo, one of her classmates.

Danilo, the nephew of the mayor, falls in love with Ana Francisca. The mayor's wife is not at all happy with this development. Neither is she happy when she discovers that Ana Francisca is expecting Danilo's child. Pretending to be Ana's friend, she plots a way to humiliate her in front of everybody at a school ball. The result can be seen below.

Thinking Danilo had planned the humiliation--and desperate for the welfare of her unborn child--she finds solace in Ludovico, the aged bachelor owner of the chocolate factory--main source of income for the town of Ventura. Ludovico determines to marry her in order to "give a name" to her son in a society where there was still a stigma attached to illegitimacy. Ludovico and Ana marry, and move to his vacation home in Argentina.

Seven years later, with Ludovico gone and her son, Tonico, growing up, Ana returns to the city of Ventura in the dramatic scene that follows.

The town at first tries to flatter her, then, failing at that, the "powers that be" make various plans to destroy her. They virtually fall over themselves trying to get their hands on the chocolate factory. Things are complicated by Ana's relationship to Danilo, who still loves her but has no idea that Tonico is his son.

Finally the pillars of society wrest the factory from her hands--at which point Ana Francisca remembers a book given to her by Ludovico before his death. She opens it and finds it to be full of secret recipes for a special kind of chocolate mixed with pepper. Armed with this recipe she begins to compete with the factory.

In today's episode, Ana Francisa discovered that Danilo had nothing to do with her humiliation at the ball, and Danilo discovered that Tonico--whom he has always liked--is in fact his son. I almost cried.

A superb cast led by the fantastic Mariana Ximenes as Ana Francisca, accompanied by a sound track made up of Brazilian and American music from the 20's make this a refreshing oasis in the desert that is Brazilian TV.

In the US, this would probably be classified as a "dramedy", as there are quite a few light moments, such as the pie fight below:

I admit, I am addicted. I hear that admitting an addiction is the first step to recovery, but I do believe that I will only recover when it is over. I will be away for the next two weeks--but a friend has already agreed to tape it for me.

Interestingly enough, I found the international soundtrack (all the songs used in the novela that are not Brazilian) on Amazon.

If you listen (should the cd be available), you will hear such classics as "Baby Face", "In the Mood", and other 1920's hits.

Speaking of music, the opening sequence is quite catchy as well. Here it is:

Posted by Andrew at 10:14 PM
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Dr. Al Mohler's Health

It seems that one of the great preachers of our time, Dr. Al Mohler, is suffering some physical setbacks. I would encourage all to be in prayer for him.

Updates can be found here.

Posted by Andrew at 10:11 PM
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January 4, 2007

Goals for 2007

The beginning of a new year is a time when we naturally reflect on the past and make plans for the future. A few days ago I posted a list of some of the ministries God allowed us to have in 2006. Today I would like to share some of the vision God has given us for 2007.

Ministry

Our main focus right now is the ministry internship program at the Cariri Baptist Seminary. During the next year I would like to:

Continue to streamline the reporting process. We made some good progress in 2006 with the development of booklets for students to use in reporting. There are some bugs in the system, however, that need to be worked out.

Visit each of the students in their practical ministries. This was a goal I had for last year, that I was unable to complete. This year I am putting aside other activities (such as our church choir) to be able to focus on our students.

Set up the puppet ministry. We plan to start the semester by holding a "School of Puppetry" at the seminary. From the students who participate and show and interest and aptitude for puppet ministry we will form a traveling puppet team. One thing that we will need to do is find funding for an adequate sound system.

Last year I helped to design the SBC Website, and it is pretty much my "baby" at present. A few things need to happen this year:

Bring total control of site design to the SBC. Our web designer is doing an outstanding job. However, he lives in Belo Horizonte, and we are at the point where we need to be able to make major changes without going through a third party.

Set up e-mail addresses and mailing lists. See above item.

Improve website calendar. See above item.

As many of you know, our plan is to plant churches and start a camp ministry in the state of Maranhão. Our major burden is for that area. With that in mind, we have set following priorities:

Take at least two seminary students to get to know the Maranhão field. One thing Maranhão needs is workers. My goal while here at the seminary is to share my burden for that region with seminary students who are looking for a place to minister.

Promote the seminary during Carnaval Retreat in São Luís. Another way I can contribute to the ministry there is by challenging the young people in the Maranhão churches to consider training at the seminary. I will be doing just that as I speak at this year's Carnaval retreat.

Find property and/or house for purchase. Eventually, we want to roll up our sleeves and work shoulder-to-shoulder with the pastors in Maranhão. As a step in this direction, we want to find a property to buy--either with a house already on it, or where a house can be built.

One of the unexpected opportunities that arose in 2006 was the Cidade Feliz puppet segment on a local TV program run by our area Regular Baptist churches. The program was very well-received. We suffered from several limitations. This year, we need to make some changes:

Find adequate studio to film. This is priority number one. The little "upper room" we are using is just not adequate anymore. Actually, it never was, but we made do because it was the only thing available. Now we have a couple options we are pursuing.

Utilize new editing program. I have reached the editing limit of iFilm. Better quality editing is just aroud the corner.

Do ten excellent programs. Quality over quantity. Instead of trying to film every other week, we will plan ten stories to be taped throughout the year. We will take the necessary time to make good scenery and props, put together background music, etc.

Find funding. This is a biggie. God has supplied for us to improve up to our current level. If we are going to improve, God will have to direct by His provision. I am convinced of the value of this kind of programming. Pray that God will bring in the resources.

Personal and Spiritual

I cannot improve on a list of resolutions set forth by Nathan Busenitz in the Pulpet Magazine Blog. They are a summary of seventy(!) resolutions made by Jonathan Edwards. Busenitz boils them down to ten. They are as follows:

1. To live for God’s glory

2. To make the most of this life, in terms of eternal impact

3. To take sin seriously

4. To become theologically astute

5. To be humble

6. To exhibit self-control in all things

7. To always speak with grace and truth

8. To constantly develop an eternal focus

9. To be a faithful Christian, in prayer and dedication

10. To daily pursue a fervent love for Christ

I readily confess that I have a long ways to go on most, if not all, of the above items.

As far as personal goals, Itacyara and I are both pursuing our further education. Itacyara will continue to study language arts at the Cariri Regional University, with the idea of becoming an official translator.

My studies are much less formal. I plan to continue my regimen of reading one book a week. You can accompany this regimen in the Book of the Week feature on this blog. I am emphasizing historical, theological, and devotional works.

In the next few days I will be announcing the publication of a book entitled "Cowboys, Kings, and Villains". It is a collection of Christian puppet scripts (in English) that I have written over the years. I have enjoyed the process of putting this together and publishing it with Cafepress. At present we are making some changes in the cover design. As soon as this is accomplished the book will be made available. I plan to publish another book by the end of 2007.

Plans

Some exciting things are already on our calendar in 2007:

* Three conferences.
* Two puppetry seminars.
* A trip to the US in May (should finances allow).
* A missions team from Winter Haven, Florida.
* The arrival of Shanna Riddle to help us with filming and editing.
* Last but (DEFINITELY) not least, the arrival of our second child.

This post has rambled somewhat. I hope you can detect that we are very excited to see what God is going to do in 2007. Please pray for us as we make every effort to have an impact for the Kingdom here in Northeast Brazil.

Posted by Andrew at 4:35 AM // Comments: 2 //
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January 1, 2007

Gisele and Ordálio

When the F.O.C.U.S. Team from Fellowship Baptist Church was here in May, many of the young people got to know Gisele, our pastor's daughter, and Ordálio, her fianceé. On Friday they were united in holy matrimony in a beautiful ceremony at the Cariri Baptist Seminary.

Posted by Andrew at 8:23 PM // Comments: 2 //
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Book of the Week: Delivered from Evil

Having finished Winston Churchill's series on the Second World War, I decided re-read Delivered from Evil by Robert Leckie for an overall view of the conflict.

Possibly the definitive history of World War Two, Delivered from Evil is both very long (946 pages not including bibliographical notes) and quit readable. Robert Leckie not only mines official records and memoirs of famous generals and political figures, he also gets the point of view of the common soldier--including his own recollections as a Marine fighting in the Pacific.

When it comes to the great leaders of the war, he writes engaging biographies that include--but do not dwell upon--their faults.

He is quite fair in his treatment of friend and foe--although those looking for a morally relativistic perspective should probably look elsewhere.

If you are a history buff, and, more specifically, a student of World War Two, you need to have this book in your library.

Posted by Andrew at 6:39 PM // Comments: 0 // TrackBack: 0 //
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