Friday, March 31, 2006
Belo Horizonte trip
Thank you all so much for praying for this journey. We left on Thursday morning for BH in considerable weakness: tired out from constant teaching, with the added load of the recent funeral and pastoral concerns having left us without any time off for a long period. And Andrew had had serious stomach problems since the previous Sunday. By Sunday Cora had similar difficulties. All in all, it was not an auspicious moment, health-wise.
Nevertheless, the weekend was very good. First in terms of excellent fellowship with Rodrigo and Lívia, who cared for us in our weakness. Second, the ministry went well. The Pastors’ module on the apostolic preaching in Acts was demanding, but a great blessing, and Cora was even more encouraged with her Saturday workshop for women. It was the first time she had given a full day of teaching, and it was received extremely well. On Sunday, Andrew spoke three times: to the youth classes in the Sunday School, and then in the two main meetings of the First Presbyterian Church.
On the Friday evening, while Cora finished preparation for Saturday, Andrew went with Rodrigo and Lívia to a birthday party for Vanessa, a girl from the adolescents' group at First Presb. How refreshing to go to a fourteen year old's party where the girl herself has asked that the central element be a time of praise, with ministry of the word. Rodrigo spoke from Colossians. How he is growing as a preacher!
The following photos give a flavour of the city – or at least a walk in the park! – and of some who came to our classes.
Thank you all so much for praying for this journey. We left on Thursday morning for BH in considerable weakness: tired out from constant teaching, with the added load of the recent funeral and pastoral concerns having left us without any time off for a long period. And Andrew had had serious stomach problems since the previous Sunday. By Sunday Cora had similar difficulties. All in all, it was not an auspicious moment, health-wise.
Nevertheless, the weekend was very good. First in terms of excellent fellowship with Rodrigo and Lívia, who cared for us in our weakness. Second, the ministry went well. The Pastors’ module on the apostolic preaching in Acts was demanding, but a great blessing, and Cora was even more encouraged with her Saturday workshop for women. It was the first time she had given a full day of teaching, and it was received extremely well. On Sunday, Andrew spoke three times: to the youth classes in the Sunday School, and then in the two main meetings of the First Presbyterian Church.
On the Friday evening, while Cora finished preparation for Saturday, Andrew went with Rodrigo and Lívia to a birthday party for Vanessa, a girl from the adolescents' group at First Presb. How refreshing to go to a fourteen year old's party where the girl herself has asked that the central element be a time of praise, with ministry of the word. Rodrigo spoke from Colossians. How he is growing as a preacher!
The following photos give a flavour of the city – or at least a walk in the park! – and of some who came to our classes.
# posted by Andrew and Cora @ 11:03:00 am 
