Friday, October 14, 2005
Peregrinos
One of the best encouragements was discernible the first time Andrew opened up the word with the church, on our second Friday night back. People all seem so much more “switched on" with the Bible – the effort and learning curve of preaching over the last ten weeks has not only helped the guys who spoke, but their wives, and has raised consciousness in general of how we must listen to the Bible. The same factor was visible on the Sunday following, when Andrew closed the Sermon on the Mount series. This is REALLY good!
Wedding bells
One of the girls who have more recently come into the church, Priscila, will be marrying an American, Daniel, at the end of the year. Time with them talking over their marriage, in both senses of the word, will be important amongst the other duties of the coming weeks.
IBE
Andrew will restart at IBE only after our visit to Maranata, but has already spoken for three hours, interpreting for an American visitor. This was the first time when we have done this in a more formal setting (public speaking as opposed to private conversations) and it was great to see that it worked. Larry, the Pastor, spoke extremely simply in short phrases, and the whole thing flowed. Andrew was utterly exhausted by the end though – far easier to teach for three hours than interpret!
Rodrigo and Lívia
Throughout these last months, contact with Rodrigo and Lívia in Belo Horizonte has been important. (See the visits described in the archives for March and June 2005) They are now preparing to spend time in the UK, improving their English in order to do the one year Cornhill Training Course, and have needed help and guidance on many issues. Their own church is supporting them remarkably well, and they have bursaries to cover course fees, but the exchange rate being what it is, they will be on a shoe-string budget. Any help towards living or transport costs would be gratefully received.
Money
Speaking of which, our own support has also slipped somewhat over the past year or two – for good reasons, such as churches sending their own missionaries, but we are slightly concerned with the situation, especially in order to maintain the possibility of visiting poorer churches / communities who cannot afford to offer us full transport costs. Our car also needs replacing – it is in the phase where maintenance costs are rising, and yet we do not have the capital to change it for a lower maintenance car. Please pray over this situation.
A visitor
Five minutes back, and already a visitor! Our dear Dutch friend from the Carey conferences, Kees van Kralingen, had to be in São Paulo this week to teach and make contact with colleagues in his very large, detergent producing firm. He took the trouble to fly down for the weekend, and we had a really wonderful time with him. What an encouragement a visitor can be, even so soon after time in the UK. He came to the Peregrinos on Sunday, and was closely questioned by the church on the spiritual conditions in Holland. Priscila made notes of Andrew’s sermon in English, so that Kees could follow. An excellent time!
One of the best encouragements was discernible the first time Andrew opened up the word with the church, on our second Friday night back. People all seem so much more “switched on" with the Bible – the effort and learning curve of preaching over the last ten weeks has not only helped the guys who spoke, but their wives, and has raised consciousness in general of how we must listen to the Bible. The same factor was visible on the Sunday following, when Andrew closed the Sermon on the Mount series. This is REALLY good!
Wedding bells
One of the girls who have more recently come into the church, Priscila, will be marrying an American, Daniel, at the end of the year. Time with them talking over their marriage, in both senses of the word, will be important amongst the other duties of the coming weeks.
IBE
Andrew will restart at IBE only after our visit to Maranata, but has already spoken for three hours, interpreting for an American visitor. This was the first time when we have done this in a more formal setting (public speaking as opposed to private conversations) and it was great to see that it worked. Larry, the Pastor, spoke extremely simply in short phrases, and the whole thing flowed. Andrew was utterly exhausted by the end though – far easier to teach for three hours than interpret!
Rodrigo and Lívia
Throughout these last months, contact with Rodrigo and Lívia in Belo Horizonte has been important. (See the visits described in the archives for March and June 2005) They are now preparing to spend time in the UK, improving their English in order to do the one year Cornhill Training Course, and have needed help and guidance on many issues. Their own church is supporting them remarkably well, and they have bursaries to cover course fees, but the exchange rate being what it is, they will be on a shoe-string budget. Any help towards living or transport costs would be gratefully received.
Money
Speaking of which, our own support has also slipped somewhat over the past year or two – for good reasons, such as churches sending their own missionaries, but we are slightly concerned with the situation, especially in order to maintain the possibility of visiting poorer churches / communities who cannot afford to offer us full transport costs. Our car also needs replacing – it is in the phase where maintenance costs are rising, and yet we do not have the capital to change it for a lower maintenance car. Please pray over this situation.
A visitor
Five minutes back, and already a visitor! Our dear Dutch friend from the Carey conferences, Kees van Kralingen, had to be in São Paulo this week to teach and make contact with colleagues in his very large, detergent producing firm. He took the trouble to fly down for the weekend, and we had a really wonderful time with him. What an encouragement a visitor can be, even so soon after time in the UK. He came to the Peregrinos on Sunday, and was closely questioned by the church on the spiritual conditions in Holland. Priscila made notes of Andrew’s sermon in English, so that Kees could follow. An excellent time!
# posted by Andrew and Cora @ 9:17:00 am 
