April 29, 2009

Bruno is Back

And he is answering the question that is on all of our minds.

Posted by Andrew at 10:50 PM
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April 28, 2009

Student Ministry Spotlight: Deaf Ministry in Barbalha

Suzane, a first-year student in our deaf ministries program, sent me these pictures of her work with the hearing-impaired at the Diadema Baptist Church in Barbalha.

Suzane interprets for the deaf during a service

The deaf believers sit in the front row during the service

Posted by Andrew at 10:41 AM
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April 20, 2009

The Chair Rests

Actually, the chairs rest--in the chapel, after having been thoroughly cleaned by myself and a redoubtable team of seminary students. Said cleaning of said chairs was in preparation for our missionary conference, which starts on Wednesday.

Priscila and Evandro prepare to wash!

I was especially proud of Michael, who pitched in and worked the entire time, without complaining, right along side of the college kids.

Part way through our washing process, a torrential rainstorm passed through. Rather than dampen the spirits of the students, it raised them, as can be seen by the picture below.

Finally the rain cleared, and we were able to pose with the finished product.

In case you missed me in the picture, here is a closeup...proving that I can still hold my own with the "youngsters".

We are greatly looking forward to the conference this week. The men who are scheduled to speak have done great things for Brazilian missions, and there is a sense of anticipation on campus.

And, thanks to my outstanding team, we will have clean chairs to sit on!

Posted by Andrew at 10:55 PM // Comments: 2 //
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April 10, 2009

Bruno the Brazilian: I Don't Speak Spanish!!!

Bruno the Brazilian in his first major appearance, shares one of his pet peeves. Background for this episode can be seen here.

Posted by Andrew at 12:52 PM // Comments: 1 //
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The Fresh Start Project

I am convinced that one of God's greatest tools in the spread of Christianity is literature. The greatest legacy of men of God--from the apostles, to Augustine, to Luther, Calvin, Edwards and Spurgeon--has been the written word.

Our work here in Brazil is no different. For the past five decades our churches have been served by the Regular Baptist Press of Brazil. Recently, the need has been seen to update the material that is being put out. John and Karen Swedberg--BMM missionaries who are helping with this project, sent me the following poster, which I would like to pass on to you. Please read the information, and consider how you can invest in the power of the written word here in Brazil.

Posted by Andrew at 10:51 AM
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April 8, 2009

Student Ministry Spotlight

Two husband-and-wife teams minister at nearby Canaã Baptist Church: Carlos and Larissa, Neto and Sanábia. In response to my recent plea, they sent some pictures for me to post here.

Carlos makes an important point

Neto teaches the youth group

Larissa with the children's class

Sanábia and her young charges

Jam session!

Posted by Andrew at 11:59 AM
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Book Review: Spiritual Leadership by J. Oswald Sanders

Some books you read once, set aside, and never think about again. This is not the case with "Spiritual Leadership" by J. Oswald Sanders. I get the distinct impression that I will be visiting it again and again over the course of whatever time God has determined for me on this earth.

The chapters are full of practical wisdom, spiritual insights, and profound quotes about the requirements, challenges, dangers, and rewards of spiritual leadership. I found myself underlining large sections.

Three chapters really stood out to me: "The Leader and Time", "The Leader and Reading", and "The Perils of Leadership".

Whether you are a pastor, a missionary, a Bible college student, or a Sunday school superintendent, this book is a must-read.

Posted by Andrew at 11:36 AM
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April 3, 2009

Meet Bruno the Brazilian

Yesterday I posted pictures of a puppet in the process of being made. Today, meet Bruno the Brazilian!

This is the long version of a video I posted on Bubble Tweet. The original was too long, so I had to pare it down.

Bruno will appear here periodically to discuss issues related to his beloved Brazil. Stay tuned!

Posted by Andrew at 9:18 AM // Comments: 2 //
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April 2, 2009

Inteligent(?) Design and International Recognition

Last week I spent some time with friends Cicero and Nice, making a puppet which I will use in an upcoming project. Here are a couple pictures Cicero snapped of the process.

"We have the technology..."

"It's alive!!!"

This guy's name is Bruno the Brazilian, and if you keep your eyes on the blog he will make his official debut in the next couple days.

While on the subject of puppets, Cicero and Nice have been making their puppet patterns available via their PuppetsBrazil website, and have developed quite an international following. People have sent them pictures of puppets made using their techniques from as far away as Chile (ok, that's not too far away) and India (now THAT is far away).

Posted by Andrew at 9:41 AM
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