Fishing in a Park

IT´s energizing...

Ever tried it? Going up to people at random and asking them to participate in an informal religious survey. This afternoon a group of us met together at the Ring's house before heading out to a

new area that Bro. Ring would like to start a church plant. In the past the pattern has been find a location to put a church building, make contacts, direct people to the church. Bro. Mike said this time he wanted try a new approach--making contacts, start studies, then put up/rent a building.

THUS, we went fishing in a couple different areas today.

Sarah (visiting Brazil for 5 weeks), Natalie, and I started off trying to talk people in a bus stop. Not being too fruitful since the response was--my bus is about to arrive, we walked down the road and decided to see who was in the park. Hmm....teens! Teens in general are pretty open to listening so we split up and began talking. I was talking to a junior higher who had never heard the gospel. After explaining the gospel to him using different illustrations, I asked him if he had any questions. "I don't know," he said, "that's a lot of information!" That's true, it sure can be when you have never heard it before. We left him with a tract and trust that he will soon understand this message.

Natalie found a divine appointment as she was able to talk to a man for a good while about salvation. As she talked, Sarah and I looked around and saw two girls sitting and smoking over on a small hill. I looked at Sarah. "What do you think?" "Let's go!"

It was amazing how the Lord brought people to us at that point. We went and started a conversation with the two girls --Giovanna and her friend--and when some of their friends walked by, they called them over to come meet the American (Sarah, not me. In this context, I become Brazilian. ;) Brazilians love to meet Americans and it is a great conversation opener. Unfortunately for Sarah she is not able to understand the majority of what is said around her but she is picking up a lot! For the next hour the conversation went in many directions as I asked the spiritual background of each person. One young man said he was looking for peace. Another young man, Tiago, shared he had particpated in a Morman church. The two girls who were smoking had recently been participating in spiritism. We were able to share the gospel (Natalie joined Sarah and I after awhile) and answer various questions that came up. It is so wonderful to share the gospel!! The gospel is so powerful--to have in our possesion the very words of God and to know that that is what the Holy Spirit uses to transform lives, make people sons and daughters of God, and brings new purpose and peace!

So here are the people to pray for...maybe we will see them next Tuesday.

Tiago (former morman) and girlfriend

Giovanna

Leonardo--the one looking for peace

Rodrigo--evangelical background

Alexandre--went to the Universal church but not interested in churches anymore...but was very open to talking

BELIEVER´S BAPTISM

IT IS COLD here and Anderson stilled wanted to be baptized. No heating units in the church for a warm building and the heating unit for the water didn´t work...

I can´t begin to express to you the JOY our church family received in hearing the testimony of our newest believer, Anderson. Anderson was baptized this past Sunday night and prior to being baptized, he asked if he could share what had happened in his life. He said he had spent a year in the military and during that time different questions about his life surfaced in his mind. What was his objective in life? Was it just to make a living? What was his purpose?

He stated, ‘I began to recognize that something was missing in my life... which was when Thais introduced me to Jesus Christ. I began to read some of the Bible and learn more, and, in a very rational way, I understood what had been done for me and that each person needed to accept what Jesus had done for them." Turning to family members also present, he repeated, "That'a what each person needs to do." Continuing, he shared, "On March 29, 2008, I accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior and I have sought to read the Bible and practice it in my life. My baptism tonight is not for my salvation but to publicly say to my family and friends that I am following Jesus Christ.”

Have you ever heard such a testimony at a baptism? It was like seeing my dad get baptized all over again! What a blessing when someone comes to the Lord and wants to FOLLOW Him!!