Ringing in 2008

New Year, New Home

I rang in 2008 with friends the Rileys, and we sat atop their roof and watched fireworks all over the city. There were so many that soon the air was thick with smoke and our view became obscured! Earlier in the evening, we attended Calvary International Church, where the book of Revelation was read through out loud, interspersed with worship songs. It was a meaningful way to bring in the new year, and as Rev. 1:3 say, "Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near."

The new year brought the blessing of a 'permanent' place for me to live in the form of an apartment close to both ministry areas I am working at. The owner of the apartment is a Brazilian woman who was also working at the orphanage for many years, and decided it was time for a rest. She was praying for someone to rent her place, and I was praying for a place to rent. She left it furnished, which was a huge blessing. Below are some pictures.

Promife'

Another blessing I was able to take part in this month was attending Promife', an evangelism outreach event that was held in two towns north of Sao Paulo. There were approximately 120 attendees plus staff, and each day following breakfast was a time of worship and teaching, then in the afternoons, teams went door-to-door telling people about Jesus and inviting them to the "Jesus" film held in different parks in the cities each night. There were also children's ministry teams, which I was a part of, that included a time of singing, a skit with a message, small group time to talk about the message, games and snacks. I spent time in both cities with each of the teams, which was a great experience.

Below are pictures of the children's ministry time in the smaller town of Ibiraci, which started out with 50 children, and ended with close to 100!

These are pictures of the children's ministry time in the larger town of Franca, which averaged around 60 children each day. This group of kids included some 'break dancers', which gave a little performance at the end of each day, including some 3 years olds, who were absolutely adorable!

At the end of the week, there were victory celebrations in each town for all that God had accomplished. Because the numbers were given in portuguese, I didn't catch them all very well, but large numbers of households were reached each day, there were also between 100-200 people each night attending the Jesus film. With all this outreach, there was a good portion of people who accepted Christ as their Savior from sin. Each of these towns has their own issues to deal with, including a lot of drugs and drinking. But God is more powerful than these and we know His Word does not return void. These towns were covered in prayer while we were there, and I would ask that you join me in continuing to pray for the churches who are now following up on all the people visited. They have a big job ahead of them and 'the time is near'!

The January 2008 Promife' team!

Christmas around São Paulo

No snow, but sand!

Christmas means summer vacation here, though the holidays are still celebrated with gusto and color. Below are some of the many Christmas displays throughout the city.

A Charlie Brown Christmas tree

Yes, I have a small, but sufficient tree purchased for a mere 2 reis (cheap) at Walmart! It still put me in the festive spirit!

Programs

I attended the PACA school Christmas program, and an evening of song and scripture reading at the Calvary International (English speaking) church I attend. The Morumbi Baptist church put on a production entitled 'a Alegria do Natal," which presented the joy of the birth of Jesus through a circus themed production, complete with acrobatics, dancing, singing and even a fire breather! As crazy as that sounds, it was beautiful and presented the Gospel very clearly.

Vila Andrade - it's a Wrap!

The community center wrapped up its program for the year, with the children making Christmas crafts and performing at the churches. I helped put together their Christmas packages, consisting of either a doll or truck, plus cookies and a hygiene kit, that they received at their Christmas party. The mother's of the children attending the social project also put together a Brazilian-themed Christmas program

Lar Batista de Crianças Home

The Lar (or home) for children has five facilities in Sao Paulo. I am working at the Campo Limpo site. Here, there are 40 children housed, plus another 300+ from the surrounding community who attend before or after school programs. I will be teaching English starting in February.

The children are between the ages of 2 and 18. Besides additional classroom time, the children take part in music and dance programs, sewing and cooking lessons, and arts and crafts. Below are pictures of the children presenting some Christmas music at the Morumbi Baptist Church.

Please pray as I prepare my lessons, that the children would be excited to learn, and that I am able to present the Gospel message along with the English lessons.

Fun with missionaries!

One of the neat things I have enjoyed since arriving in Brazil has been re-aquainting myself with friends from Minnesota who are missionaries here, as well as meeting the other missionaries who are part of the South Brazil team. They have all been very helpful in getting me acclimated and making me feel very welcome here.

I went with the Riley family to the Horto Florestal Park, which is in the northern park of the city. We saw some exotic animals, birds and plants there. Below is a 'capivara' - part of the guinea pig family, a bird, and myself in front of some bamboo.

I celebrated "American Thanksgiving" with the family of the home I am temporarily staying at, the Kregnesses and other new friends.

The Embu Arts and Craft village with some teachers from the Pan American Christian Academy (PACA).

Helen (daughter of the couple whose home I am in), Lalia Kregness and myself at the Ladies Christmas Tea hosted by the Igreja Batista Morumbi church.

The WorldVenture Americas Director and his wife have been here visiting and meeting with all of us. Ken and Arlene Flurry were missionaries in Brazil for over twenty years before Ken was asked to move into his current role. They will be 'retiring' to Brazil in May 2008.

Field Christmas party at Casa de Pizza!

Camp California visit

The WorldVenture South Brazil team held it's yearly field conference this year at Camp California (named for a church in California who bought the property for Restoration Ministries, also part of WorldVenture). I was last here in 2001 with the first short-term church team visiting Brazil, and at that time we built the 'Minnesota Tree House' and a zip-line. Both are still in place today!

It is a beautiful camp located outside the polluted city of Sao Paulo, and Restoration Ministries uses it to bring street kids here for weekly camps. This is a huge treat for these kids, as they don't get to see so much 'green' space and areas to play in the city.

There have been many improvements made to the camp as well. Three new cabins have been built, and overlook the beautiful valley below. Another building has been added for a worship and meeting space. Playground equipment has been built. Plans are to continue adding cabins, to allow bringing as many children as possible to enjoy this beautiful facility.

The Minnesota Tree House, new cabins and worship center