Friday, February 24, 2006
Foil bunting decorates Florianópolis market for Carnival, this weekend.
Peregrinos Carnaval retreat
From Friday night to Wednesday morning the Peregrinos will be staying at Marquito's family's beach house, Pântano do Sul, at the south tip of the island. Please pray for a good time of relaxation and study.
From Friday night to Wednesday morning the Peregrinos will be staying at Marquito's family's beach house, Pântano do Sul, at the south tip of the island. Please pray for a good time of relaxation and study.
Rodrigo and Lívia
It is now well over a month since Rodrigo and Lívia sent in their second application for a student visa. They are in a kind of limbo - half involved in the youth work at their church, but having to make room for new staff, making little progress with English, and just waiting for the definite Yes or No that they need. Please pray for them.
It is now well over a month since Rodrigo and Lívia sent in their second application for a student visa. They are in a kind of limbo - half involved in the youth work at their church, but having to make room for new staff, making little progress with English, and just waiting for the definite Yes or No that they need. Please pray for them.
Cauane
Caune, the daughter of Caramuru who was attending the Peregrinos until she became ill with cancer, is now very seriously unwell, with most distressing symptoms. Having shown early signs of good response to treatment, the cancer has now returned redoubled. And the chemotherapy is as much hurting as saving. Please pray for Caramuru and Alessandra, and Cauane, in these dark days.
Caune, the daughter of Caramuru who was attending the Peregrinos until she became ill with cancer, is now very seriously unwell, with most distressing symptoms. Having shown early signs of good response to treatment, the cancer has now returned redoubled. And the chemotherapy is as much hurting as saving. Please pray for Caramuru and Alessandra, and Cauane, in these dark days.
Monday, February 20, 2006
Car
Our ten year old Subaru is once again at the workshop - it developed a horrendous and unusual vibration in the steering on the way back from Blumenau, and it is definitely on the sick list. This is why it is not pictured here - the vehicle in the photo is another car.
But we are seriously concerned about the car. It has served us over 6 years, but always at a high maintenance budget, and over the last year this has got worse. We need to replace it, but we are not sure how financially. Please pray on this one, and if anyone wishes to contribute, please contact UFM, re a car fund!
Our ten year old Subaru is once again at the workshop - it developed a horrendous and unusual vibration in the steering on the way back from Blumenau, and it is definitely on the sick list. This is why it is not pictured here - the vehicle in the photo is another car.
But we are seriously concerned about the car. It has served us over 6 years, but always at a high maintenance budget, and over the last year this has got worse. We need to replace it, but we are not sure how financially. Please pray on this one, and if anyone wishes to contribute, please contact UFM, re a car fund!
Blumenau
Last Saturday, 18 Feb, we visited Blumenau for the first time since Rodrigo and Giana's wedding on 3 July 2005. And apart from one Saturday early in January when we were just too tired to think about going, this was the first chance - the first free Saturday in all this time. So, apart from the visit of a few members of the group over there for our special day on Exodus, also in July last year, we have had no direct contact with anyone in all his time. However, MSN Messenger has been worth its weight. (Though what Messenger weighs I really couldn't say!)
We went over in the morning - a beautiful Santa Catarina morning, and had a great lunch, with Stefan and Jana, at Marlon and Gabi's. After lunch the
galera arrived - or a good proportion. We saw Tiago and Jamili's baby, Davi, for the first time. Marcos came with his mother, Dona Margot. Kabelo and Viviane arrived too late for the study - we were actually just leaving, but it was good to see them.
It has been a long time, but getting back to teaching the Word with this group it felt as if we had never been away. Please pray that we might be able to maintain some level of regular contact this year.
Last Saturday, 18 Feb, we visited Blumenau for the first time since Rodrigo and Giana's wedding on 3 July 2005. And apart from one Saturday early in January when we were just too tired to think about going, this was the first chance - the first free Saturday in all this time. So, apart from the visit of a few members of the group over there for our special day on Exodus, also in July last year, we have had no direct contact with anyone in all his time. However, MSN Messenger has been worth its weight. (Though what Messenger weighs I really couldn't say!)
We went over in the morning - a beautiful Santa Catarina morning, and had a great lunch, with Stefan and Jana, at Marlon and Gabi's. After lunch the
galera arrived - or a good proportion. We saw Tiago and Jamili's baby, Davi, for the first time. Marcos came with his mother, Dona Margot. Kabelo and Viviane arrived too late for the study - we were actually just leaving, but it was good to see them.
It has been a long time, but getting back to teaching the Word with this group it felt as if we had never been away. Please pray that we might be able to maintain some level of regular contact this year.
Thursday, February 16, 2006
MEUNI – Evangelical Mission to the University.
A delightful bunch, with a record turn-out today, at least over recent years.
Bernardo (male, white sleeveless tee-shirt, near back), a one-time member of the English group at the PIB, is now leading the MEUNI group. We have a good friendship going back over the years, and he has asked Andrew to speak at least once a month at the University.
Because of the high turn-over in the student scene, and the time since we last had more or less regular involvement, we are getting to know a whole new group, and they seem a good lot. What is striking is the large number that come from informal house-churches. It would seem that the emergent church movement is very much a reality amongst young people in Floripa. So the openness that we see to the Word probably signifies a degree of openness to anything – but at least we have the opportunity to bring the Word. Please pray for a good semester with them.
A delightful bunch, with a record turn-out today, at least over recent years.
Bernardo (male, white sleeveless tee-shirt, near back), a one-time member of the English group at the PIB, is now leading the MEUNI group. We have a good friendship going back over the years, and he has asked Andrew to speak at least once a month at the University.
Because of the high turn-over in the student scene, and the time since we last had more or less regular involvement, we are getting to know a whole new group, and they seem a good lot. What is striking is the large number that come from informal house-churches. It would seem that the emergent church movement is very much a reality amongst young people in Floripa. So the openness that we see to the Word probably signifies a degree of openness to anything – but at least we have the opportunity to bring the Word. Please pray for a good semester with them.
Back to IBE
Pastor Roberto, Director of IBE, announces some good news: no classes next week. Dr. Russell Shedd is due to visit the city, preaching on the Letter to the Hebrews through the week at the Assembly of God main congregation in São José. Excellent. Russell Shedd is a Bible Teacher of the highest calibre - born to American Missionaries in Bolivia, he has spent most of his life in Brazil. He is one of the few preachers who enjoys wide interdenominational respect throughout Brazil. We are delighted to have no classes so that we and our students can hear him.
Pastor Roberto, Director of IBE, announces some good news: no classes next week. Dr. Russell Shedd is due to visit the city, preaching on the Letter to the Hebrews through the week at the Assembly of God main congregation in São José. Excellent. Russell Shedd is a Bible Teacher of the highest calibre - born to American Missionaries in Bolivia, he has spent most of his life in Brazil. He is one of the few preachers who enjoys wide interdenominational respect throughout Brazil. We are delighted to have no classes so that we and our students can hear him.
Teacher's Eye View 1 - Andrew's Tuesday Night Basic Theology Class
This group is supposed to be a Basic Class. They only do one night a week, and Andrew is supposed to cover Systematic Theology in four weeks! They are from a wide variety of churches, including Presbyterian, Baptist, Pentecostal and Roman Catholic, and delight in lively classes. They are a challenge and a joy to teach.
This group is supposed to be a Basic Class. They only do one night a week, and Andrew is supposed to cover Systematic Theology in four weeks! They are from a wide variety of churches, including Presbyterian, Baptist, Pentecostal and Roman Catholic, and delight in lively classes. They are a challenge and a joy to teach.
Teacher's Eye View 2 - Andrew's Wednesday Night IBE Class - Homiletics
This class is the Year 2 Bachelors' Group, together with a number of extras who are coming for the ride, including Marquito, from the Peregrinos, and Luis Picoli, the Roman Catholic from the Basic Group. The course has started well, but there is one aspect which is ALWAYS difficult here. In a course of two full semesters, we make sure that there is a very ample emphasis given to foundational questions - What is the ministry of the Word? - and so forth. This part is of extreme importance - but everyone is always expecting and wanting prectical tips on sermon preparation and delivery. There is an impatience to get to the methodology, and cut out the theory. We fight this at every turn, and past experience has shown that in the long haul it is the best way. So far the group has been showing good signs of excitement regarding what the ministry of the Word is, with some very striking reactions from men who are already pastors.
This class is the Year 2 Bachelors' Group, together with a number of extras who are coming for the ride, including Marquito, from the Peregrinos, and Luis Picoli, the Roman Catholic from the Basic Group. The course has started well, but there is one aspect which is ALWAYS difficult here. In a course of two full semesters, we make sure that there is a very ample emphasis given to foundational questions - What is the ministry of the Word? - and so forth. This part is of extreme importance - but everyone is always expecting and wanting prectical tips on sermon preparation and delivery. There is an impatience to get to the methodology, and cut out the theory. We fight this at every turn, and past experience has shown that in the long haul it is the best way. So far the group has been showing good signs of excitement regarding what the ministry of the Word is, with some very striking reactions from men who are already pastors.
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
Ken and Maisie's Visit
Well, Cora's mother and step-father have come and gone, and we can hardly beleive how much was packed into three weeks with two people who are practically octogenarians. This was their first visit, and perhaps their only time here, and we wanted to make their visit as full and as wide-ranging as possible. And certain things are simply essential!
So, we looked around the island. And we went to Foz do Iguaçu. And we went to Rio. And no one got mugged or shot. And apart from adventures with a delayed plane and a night in a posh São Paulo hotel on the way home, Ken and Maisie made it home without incident!
We are thankful to God that they had health and strength to come and were kept safe during their visit. Thank you for praying.
Well, Cora's mother and step-father have come and gone, and we can hardly beleive how much was packed into three weeks with two people who are practically octogenarians. This was their first visit, and perhaps their only time here, and we wanted to make their visit as full and as wide-ranging as possible. And certain things are simply essential!
So, we looked around the island. And we went to Foz do Iguaçu. And we went to Rio. And no one got mugged or shot. And apart from adventures with a delayed plane and a night in a posh São Paulo hotel on the way home, Ken and Maisie made it home without incident!
We are thankful to God that they had health and strength to come and were kept safe during their visit. Thank you for praying.
Ken and Maisie's first evening in Brazil was graced by this sunset, seen from a walk on the Beira Mar.
The western side of the south of the island is a place of small fishing villages and little change over the years. And wonderful views over to the mountains on the continent.
Pântano beach, though attracting tourists, is still dominated by fishing boats...
Cigarette marketing on Pântano beach. Pairs of supremely fit (in all senses!) lads and lasses with cigarette packets strapped to their arms, targeting the youth.
View from the old fort at Jurerê, in the north of the island.
Putting a new roof on a house near our flat. This tile carrier had a withered arm, but hauled tiles all day.
We took Ken and Maisie to Curitiba by bus. It is cheaper, and we managed to get the front row on the top deck, giving a wonderful ride through the mountains of northern Santa Catarina. The purpose of the visit was to take the classic train ride on the Curitiba-Paranaguá railway, and then go on to see the waterfalls in the west of the state, at Foz do Iguaçu.
Jason and Sonia Butler, Gabriel and Giovanna, our friends in Curitiba whom we met for lunch on arrival.
We took the train to Morretes and Antonina, through the Serra Verde mountains. Here is the view back from Antonina.
The bridge at Morretes - one of the prettiest towns we have seen in Brazil.
Maybelline cosmetics stand in the Station Shopping Centre, one of the newest and smartest in Curitiba.
1920s perfume bottle in the Curitiba museum of perfume.
Lizard - I had not noticed before how the foot is held.
One of the last photos at Igua�u - butterflies were in short supply this trip, but we still saw a few.
Ipanema - a cold front arrived while we were in Rio, and things weren't quite as beautiful as usual.
The Corcovado (hunchback) mountain, topped by the statue of Christ, the arms outstretched to embrace the marvellous and terrible city.
From our balcony 2: Runner and errand boy on a rainy day.
Copacabana beach: the Rolling Stones stage under construction. It is a free show, with numbers in excess of 1.5 million expected.
Praying at the statue to to Saint Sebastian. We don't know quite why is in an old fashioned carriage. The objects on the front of the cart are wax body parts and little model houses - presumably as a focus for specific prayers and requests.
Getting the waiter to take your picture - Colombo's Tea Rooms.
Sunday in Rio saw us at the Bible Baptist Church in Tijuca, where we have many good friends. Maurício, the pastor asked Andrew to preach in English with interpretation, so that Ken and Maisie could follow. A strange experience, having preached there in Portuguese several times already. But it went off ok. Here we have lunch with a number of friends from the church.
Half way home, at Congonhas airport. A Tam Fokker 100 awaits a Varig Boeing 737.
