Wednesday, July 20, 2005
Chemical weapons of mass destruction - all is prepared for an all-out attack on our pet termites.
The trade mark JIMO should strike fear into the hearts of all termites. I (Cora) used several tins plus one fumigating bomb to try and eliminate these pests from our apartment. This involved emptying out all wooden cupboards and painting every bit of wood to which I could get access with liquid JIMO. Anna came a couple of days to help. A faithful friend indeed, since the JIMO is very smelly and the chemicals make the eyes and throat smart. Finally, we used a fumigating bomb in the worst affected room, the one which Andrew used to have as a study. It was actually quite fun activating it and watching the white cloudy smoke begin to fill the room before retreating and shutting the door, having checked there were no gaps through which the stuff could escape. After this, we had to clean the room thoroughly, getting rid of the white residue on all the cupboards and surfaces.
Two days afterwards there was no sign of termite activity in that room. It seemed to have worked! We left for England hoping that the foul smell would be gone by the time we returned. Thanks to Anna’s visiting to open windows occasionally, it was much better, but not completely normal on our return. All our kitchen utensils smelled of it, and needed washing before use. I seemed to be tasting JIMO in things, including tea – ugh! What was good was to see hardly any sign of termite activity in the places where they had been active before. I say hardly any sign, because there is still some sign in some places. So round 2 of the battle will have to be entered at some point.
The worst time in terms of new infiltration has yet to come. In November, flying termites look for new homes. Last year we had a whole week of evening invasions from flying termites trying to burrow into furniture, beds and books. Some succeeded in eating through pages of a whole book. Those of you who know the story of The Very Hungry Caterpillar could substitute “Termite” for Caterpillar. This year we know we have to shut all doors and windows when the termites start flying, even if it gets very hot in the apartment. But before that we have to zap the places which are still showing signs of termite activity, otherwise they will fly from those inside the apartment and multiply the problem again.
Apparently, this problem is increasing in our state, and I have been told that the JIMO treatment only works for a while ( a few months). Some people have used diesel oil and claim this works permanently. Let’s wait and see.
Two days afterwards there was no sign of termite activity in that room. It seemed to have worked! We left for England hoping that the foul smell would be gone by the time we returned. Thanks to Anna’s visiting to open windows occasionally, it was much better, but not completely normal on our return. All our kitchen utensils smelled of it, and needed washing before use. I seemed to be tasting JIMO in things, including tea – ugh! What was good was to see hardly any sign of termite activity in the places where they had been active before. I say hardly any sign, because there is still some sign in some places. So round 2 of the battle will have to be entered at some point.
The worst time in terms of new infiltration has yet to come. In November, flying termites look for new homes. Last year we had a whole week of evening invasions from flying termites trying to burrow into furniture, beds and books. Some succeeded in eating through pages of a whole book. Those of you who know the story of The Very Hungry Caterpillar could substitute “Termite” for Caterpillar. This year we know we have to shut all doors and windows when the termites start flying, even if it gets very hot in the apartment. But before that we have to zap the places which are still showing signs of termite activity, otherwise they will fly from those inside the apartment and multiply the problem again.
Apparently, this problem is increasing in our state, and I have been told that the JIMO treatment only works for a while ( a few months). Some people have used diesel oil and claim this works permanently. Let’s wait and see.
Encounter with the Bible - 16th July 2005
The planned day on Exodus at Campeche went really well. About 60 people came, representing 8 churches, at least. What was marked was the close attention to the word, and the fact that with very few exceptions people came and stayed for the whole time - giving an entire Saturday (9 - 7) to the study of the word and fellowship. Here are a few photos to give a flavour.
The planned day on Exodus at Campeche went really well. About 60 people came, representing 8 churches, at least. What was marked was the close attention to the word, and the fact that with very few exceptions people came and stayed for the whole time - giving an entire Saturday (9 - 7) to the study of the word and fellowship. Here are a few photos to give a flavour.
The Baptist Church at Campeche, which hosted the event.
Getting into groups to discuss the character of God as revealed in the 10 Commandments.
Discussion groups 1. These four men are from four VERY different churches - to see the group in earnest debate over the character of God and the application of the commandments o us today was just beautiful.
The cooks' team - sterling work which made the day go so well. They missed the teaching, but wil catch up on CD.
In the lunch break - a chess game to cool the brain! The two guys most visible are Andr�, in cream, and Leandro (black) both IBE students and members at the Campeche Baptiost Church.
Time of praise after the teaching, led by Gerson, from the First Baptist Church
The Igreja dos Peregrinos, with five visitors from Blumenau, for our Sunday afternoon meeting.
Sunday, July 10, 2005
Encontro com a Bíblia - Encounter with the Bible
This coming Saturday, 16th June, we are planning a special day conference under the above title, with Exodus 19-40 providing the content for the day. This venture sprang from conversations at and returning from the Reformed Baptist Congress: How can we best maintain and stimulate fellowship between reformed-oriented people in our area? We hope that members of the Blumenau group will come over, as well as friends from a number of churches in Florianópolis and from Tubarão, further south on the mainland. The event is to be held at Campeche Baptist Church. The teaching will consist of talks with Powerpoint presentations, and small group discussions. Andrew is responsible for the teaching imput, while Alberto (Peregrinos), Wesley (Campeche Baptist) and Alexandre (Independent Baptist, Floresta) are looking after the other arrangements.
Please pray for the day. You can see some photos of Campeche and read (portuguese) information at www.ecab.blogspot.com
This coming Saturday, 16th June, we are planning a special day conference under the above title, with Exodus 19-40 providing the content for the day. This venture sprang from conversations at and returning from the Reformed Baptist Congress: How can we best maintain and stimulate fellowship between reformed-oriented people in our area? We hope that members of the Blumenau group will come over, as well as friends from a number of churches in Florianópolis and from Tubarão, further south on the mainland. The event is to be held at Campeche Baptist Church. The teaching will consist of talks with Powerpoint presentations, and small group discussions. Andrew is responsible for the teaching imput, while Alberto (Peregrinos), Wesley (Campeche Baptist) and Alexandre (Independent Baptist, Floresta) are looking after the other arrangements.
Please pray for the day. You can see some photos of Campeche and read (portuguese) information at www.ecab.blogspot.com
Friday Nights
Andrew got back from São José dos Campos in time for our regular Friday night meeting. This is a simple time around the word, with a reading and brief comment, recently from 1 Peter, followed by two prayer times, the first a strenuous effort to pray over the content of the text and the second a prayer time for needs and issues in the church. Over the last few weeks the meeting has really taken off in terms of spiritual vitality, warmth and openness to share and pray. This Friday the passage from chapter 2 on submisson to authorities stirred up prayer for governments: in the week of one of Brazil's greatest corruption crises and of the London bombings it was timely, and very encouraging to participate in such prayer in a country where prayer for "kings and those in authority" is very rare.
The photos show that in July in Santa Catarina a warm meeting may not be physically warm!
Andrew got back from São José dos Campos in time for our regular Friday night meeting. This is a simple time around the word, with a reading and brief comment, recently from 1 Peter, followed by two prayer times, the first a strenuous effort to pray over the content of the text and the second a prayer time for needs and issues in the church. Over the last few weeks the meeting has really taken off in terms of spiritual vitality, warmth and openness to share and pray. This Friday the passage from chapter 2 on submisson to authorities stirred up prayer for governments: in the week of one of Brazil's greatest corruption crises and of the London bombings it was timely, and very encouraging to participate in such prayer in a country where prayer for "kings and those in authority" is very rare.
The photos show that in July in Santa Catarina a warm meeting may not be physically warm!
Much humour and food after the prayer and Bible study
CETEVAP - São José dos Campos - 4-6 July 2005
The final visit outside Florianópolis for the semester was to São José dos Campos for a preachers' course. Andrew just made the plane after car problems on the way back from the wedding in Blumenau. It was a great week, enormously encouraging in terms of the standard of the students and their ministry in the workshops. He stayed on till Fiday, so as to see other friends and talk over issues relating to wider ministry in Brazil.
The final visit outside Florianópolis for the semester was to São José dos Campos for a preachers' course. Andrew just made the plane after car problems on the way back from the wedding in Blumenau. It was a great week, enormously encouraging in terms of the standard of the students and their ministry in the workshops. He stayed on till Fiday, so as to see other friends and talk over issues relating to wider ministry in Brazil.
São José dos Campos is one of a string of modern, industrial towns in the Valley of the Paraíba. This region was once the most ecologically diverse on the planet. Then came coffee farming, and it became one of the most agriculturally rich in the world. But the soil was drained of nutrients and large areas are now virtually desert, with the great-grandsons of the coffee tycoons in some cases reduced to poverty. It is a salutary thought that biologists gave warning of the dangers of over-intensive farming on tropical soils in the early years of the 19th century: nearly 200 years later we still seem not have listened.
What have sprung up in the valley, in the place of rain-forest and coffee, are industrial cities. São José dos Campos is now home to well over 500 000 people and is an industrial force to be reckoned with, in particular in the field of high technology. It is the home to many companies, including Embraer, the Brazilian aerospace company that now sells planes all over the world. See http://www.embraer.com for more information.
Right in the centre of São José dos Campos is the Igreja Cristã Evangélica, the oldest evangelical church in the city, founded when SJC was still a small town - in fact a centre for the treatment of tuberculosis, chosen for its climate. This was my base for the week.
The interior of the church reflects its age and the traditional ecclesiastical furnishings of the home-land of the missionaries who first came here.
As with most Congregational churches in Brazil, the implanting missionaries ware British, in this case Rev. Bryce and Dr. Elizabeth Ranken. For those who read Portuguese, the story of the church can be found at http://www.netvale.com.br/ice/historia2.html Does anyone know any more about the Rankens? Do they have any surviving relatives?
Bryce and Elizabeth Ranken. She only lived for one year after their move to Brazil - a story very typical of missions to the tropics in that era, and until comparatively recently. (Photo from http://www.netvale.com.br/ice/historia.html)
The educational centre beside the church building. Used for many activities, it is also home to the CETEVAP, Centro De Estudos Teológicos Do Vale Do Paraíba, the Centre for Theological Studies of the Paraíba Valley. It also houses a small flat, where I stayed for four cold nights. For information on CETEVAP, see http://www.cetevap.org.br/
The purpose of my time at the CETEVAP was an intensive course of Biblical Exposition with a post-graduate group. After having taught hermeneutics for a semester to a very mixed-ability group, it was great to be with a consistent and highly-motivated class. Teaching from 9 in the morning to 6.30 at night though, with a lunch break and two 15 minute intervals, certainly deserves the term "intensive"
Regina, one of the two secretaries at CETEVAP, in the Library - the books about to be cleared off the shelves for repainting work to commence.
Some NT comentaries, plus a few others out of order! As can be seen, the blue series from Vida Nova Press (known as the "Little Balls" series here, because of the cover) is based largely but not exclusively on the IVP Tyndale series. The ABU volumes in pastel shades are translations of the Bible Speaks Today series from IVP.
Some OT commentaries, mainly from the red, Vida Nova Bolinhas (Little Balls) series.
Regina and Zeila in the CETEVAP office. "Lapidando Vocações" means "Polishing Callings" - which is understandable in English, but actually makes sense in Portuguese!
While in São José dos Campos, it would be very strange not to see anyone from the Igreja Batista da Graça. They actually organised a full social programme for me, which kept me from long evenings alone in the CETEVAP building. I preached at the Wednesday night prayer meeting. Afterwards we had traditional cake and coke to celebrate Anna's 7th birthday. Anna is the younger daughter of Pastor Gilson and Nadir Santos. One of my aims in staying on after the end of the course was to have some time with Gilson. Conversation with him is always of the greatest value, in terms not only of theological and pastoral perception, but encyclopedic and profound cultural insight into Brazil.
While in São José dos Campos it would also be strange to have no contact with the FIEL publishing ministry, that brought me to Brazil in the first place. After spending an hour or so in conversation with founder Richard Denham I went with him to see the new FIEL building, in construction. The Civil Engineer in charge, Marcio Sulzbach, has been a friend since 1997, when he was in charge of the video-taping at the FIEL conference. Our communication at the time was in sign-language and via third parties: things are different now.
Richard Denham, with over 50 years now in Brazil, is overseeing the biggest project FIEL have yet undertaken, the new headquarters, with space for the FIEL offices, warehousing and packing, Christian Education, as well as with offices to rent out to local business, as a means of providing additional maintenance income.
Richard on the roof of the building, to be a recreational area, with caretaker's flat. The structure with the wooden scaffolding will house the water tank.
Winching materials onto the top floor of the building.
Lift / elevator well, currently being used for the electric hoist.
The first transfer of stock into the new building. A far larger warehousing area is to be completed on the other side of the building.
When staying in S�o Jos� dos Campos, one of the great joys is always time spent with Valdir and Vanda Santos. They have been dear friends since 1997, always ready for both a seriously good talk and a seriously good laugh. The whole family are here: J�natas, Valdir, Alan, Carol and Vanda.
Rodrigo and Giana's wedding, Blumenau, Sunday 3 July 2005
Andrew's second wedding in Brazil was an adventure, from serious problems with the legal aspects before the ceremony, to serious difficulties getting the groom to the "church" on time, to serious car troubles on the way home. But overall it was a good day, and it is always a privilege to be involved. Although the Blumenau group has produced many headaches, it has also produced great joys.
For those who are perpetually surprised by the existence of blond Brazilians, Rodrigo and Giana are a good case in point. Each of them of mixed Polish and German parentage, with surnames Laikovski and Pokrevieski, the couple and a large proportion of the guests would certainly not look out of place in any wedding in central or northern Europe.
By clicking on the pictures, you can see a large version.
Para ver imagens maiores, clique nas fotos.
Andrew's second wedding in Brazil was an adventure, from serious problems with the legal aspects before the ceremony, to serious difficulties getting the groom to the "church" on time, to serious car troubles on the way home. But overall it was a good day, and it is always a privilege to be involved. Although the Blumenau group has produced many headaches, it has also produced great joys.
For those who are perpetually surprised by the existence of blond Brazilians, Rodrigo and Giana are a good case in point. Each of them of mixed Polish and German parentage, with surnames Laikovski and Pokrevieski, the couple and a large proportion of the guests would certainly not look out of place in any wedding in central or northern Europe.
By clicking on the pictures, you can see a large version.
Para ver imagens maiores, clique nas fotos.
Jamili and Tiago, before the service. In the heart of a Santa Catarina winter, the sun suddenly blazed down just before the wedding started. One side of the congregation was partially shaded by trees: the seating on the other side ended up empty as the congregation fled for shade.
