Spreading Rays of Light

This week I have been participating in EXPOINTER-- a weeklong,

expansive event. The range of events are great, covering horse, cow, heifer, sheep, buffalo competitions to selling enormous tractors and latest cars, an amusement park, cotton candy, art-craft booths, "guacho" or cowboy gear booths, sessions for learning how to cut meat for a true Brazilian barbeque and then some!

Many of our regional churches of like faith and practice came together to rent a stand, thus creating an opportunity for us to be inside the fair's gate with full permission to pass out our material. "Our material" has been thousands of tracts that have now circulated most all the grounds. Everyday there are new people and new opportunites to spread God's Word.

Yesterday I was at a craft stand and began chatting with the lady. The crafts she had were similar to the ones in Manaus, AM where I had just been. Sure enough, she was from that region. She also shared that she lived in Belem Novo, a town next to Ponta Grossa!! As I sought to direct the conversation to spiritual things, she began sharing her philosophy of life-- you reap what you sow, so try to do your best in life. It was a little hard speaking with her as she didn't seem open to hearing a different point of view.

But, the Lord has a way of changing things around. I was carrying pens from our booth and when I offered her one, she accepted the pen and ask for one for her friend. He came over and the conversation generated to my accent (as many conversations do) and our group increased to two more people who were their friends.

One of the friends asked me if I was working at the fair. I shared with her that we had a stand and that I was passing out the following tract: "Bah Gaúcho! Where will you spend eternity?"

She read that phrase out loud and looked at her friend and asked the question. He said, "I don´t know!" Yeah!! an opportunity to explain! And it was awesome. That was my lead in to share that you can know--God tells us that in I John 5:13. The Lord opened the door for me to share the Gospel and to address the lady´s philosophy of life in contrast to what God says. Praise the Lord!! She gave me her address and phone number to contact her later.

What a blessing when people listen to a presentation of the Gospel!

luciana

While in Manaus with my family, I had the opportunity to meet Luciana, a friend of Amanda's who was temporarily living with her family. One evening as we were in the living room together I asked Luciana if she believed in God. She said she did. "How would you describe your relationship with Him?" I asked. She gave an elusive answer and so I asked her another question that would probably bring a response she could give. "Did she believe that there is a heaven and a hell?" I like to ask questions of what people think, so that, through the help of the Holy Spirit, I can better address any area needed to explain the gospel. She began to explain her view of God and how people become a part of His family. After we talked for a little bit I asked her if she would be interested in doing a four lesson Bible study about God, relating that while we have our own idea or opinion on these issues, it is important to know what God thinks regarding these issues. The Come and See Bible study is evangelistic and great to use with people who want to "learn about God" more. She said she would like to do the study. As it was my last week in Manaus, we figured out what days we could do the study and started the next day. Amanda joined us in the study and understood well what was taught. The following day we received news that Luciana had found a place to live and would move out the same day--thus, we didn't finish the study. However, I was exciting to hear from Amanda that she would continue it with her. What a blessing to see her desire as a young Christian to see someone saved! Pray with me for Luciana!

A Blessing in Broken Things

I broke my glasses yesterday.

Right in half! I was just cleaning them. I wonder if the Lord is telling me to go get my eyes checked. They really didn´t look repairable but hey, why not give it try. This morning I got out some super glue to do the trick but when that had no effect, I went by an eye-glass store and showed the poor state of my glasses to the employee. After talking for a few minutes he stated, "You're not from around here." "Are you part of that church?" he asked, referring to a church nearby started by one of our missionaries. I explained my association and he started sharing about the different missionaries who had come by his store and their friendliness.
Hmm....sounds like planted seeds.

The conversation later turned to current events as he shared his thoughts on Michael Jackson's death. I listened as he talked about the unjustness of his upbringing and his father's treatment toward him. I don't mind hearing out people's thoughts and reactions to his death but I do share that his death takes my thoughts to a different angle...as with any death I wonder, did this person know Christ?

Life can be quite "unjust." But that really is not important. The response, rather, deserves more focus...what is your reaction to that situation and where did that road take you? Closer to God or farther away?

For believers, "all things work together for good to them that love God..."

If one doesn't know Jesus Christ-- what does it profit if a man's gains everything the world has to offer, yet loses his soul? There is nothing sadder. No, I don't know the standing of an individual before God. I do know that rich or poor, every person dies and takes nothing with them. A memory or a legacy is but a dot when we consider eternal life.

We continued to talk and the man allowed me to share the gospel, showing genuine interest in hearing the gospel. That's my blessing. I had an opportunity to share the gospel because my glasses broke. Praise the Lord! Pray for him. His name is Gilberto.

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!!

Philosophy and Music

Do, Ré, Mi, Fa, Sol...

Tonight Thais and Anderson came over for a study on Christian philosophy of music and a session on how to read music.

In April, Priscilla and Rodrigo and I met weekly for the same study. Since Priscilla is taking a course each evening this month, our sessions were put on hold ...meanwhile, Thais and Anderson took interest in learning. The plan is to put the two groups together.

We are using a solfege/theory book and the translated book of Tim Fischer´s The Battle for Christian Music for our study.


I am using the Kodaly/Curwin method for teaching them how to read music, using their voice as the instrument.

The Mark of a Good Friendship

Our mother´s day tea had a good turnout—fifteen ladies came to participate on this day.

The theme was on friendship and the importance of being a Biblical friend to those around us—relationships in and outside the family.



Our speaker, Vera, is the wife of Claudio, who is a seminary student. She has immersed herself into the ministry of Ponta Grossa along with her husband. She is one of my piano students and soul-winning partners.

We had a short skit showing that biblical friendship may sometimes involve confronting others in love.