Friday, September 29, 2006
General Elections this weekend
A herd of cars supporting one of the candidates for state governor leaves Canasvieiras on a tour of the island. Please pray for this election, and especially for the Presidential race. For BBC news on the election please look here.
A herd of cars supporting one of the candidates for state governor leaves Canasvieiras on a tour of the island. Please pray for this election, and especially for the Presidential race. For BBC news on the election please look here.
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
Some matters for praise and prayer
Praise for a great time with Bec and Tom - some of the happiest weeks we have spent together in years. We seem to be finally settling into the rhythm of this living apart thing, they are getting into a good frame of mind about Brazil, and - probably the key factor - they (we all?!) are growing up. Bec got much better after her initial illness, although has suffered from asthma throughout the trip.
The evening on postmodernism went well, with a fruitful discussion. Thank you for praying. Tom and Bec both still speak excellent Portuguese, with a far better accent than their parents, and yet needing occasional help with vocabulary. It is a slightly odd situation, and not without its humour.
Photos from Bec and Tom's time with us.
Bec had her twenty first here: hence the formal, dressed-up, shots.
Travels
This weekend (29 Sept - 2 Oct) we are going to the first anniversary of the Presbyterian Church of Jaó, a suburb of Goiânia, Goiás. (764 miles away, as the crow flies.) Four moments of teaching will focus on Acts 2: Friday and Saturday nights, and Sunday morning and evening. I don't normally "do" anniversaries without a "strategic" element in a seminary or something, but this is a special case. The Pastor at Jaó is our first contact in Goiânia: Gil, and his wife Débora. (Old photo here:) Through his enthusiasm, having heard the one sermon I preached when Conrad Mbewe was taken ill in 1998, (available here - though site in renovation.) led to the most fruitful regional "centre" we have, with opportunities for teaching and training in various denominations in Goiânia and outside the city and state. The recent trip to the interior of Bahia would be one example of a Gil spin-off. Gil has been a top encourager since 1998, praying for us and putting opportunities in our way. We want to encourage him by showing willing for the first anniv of the new church.
Map with Florianópolis, Goiânia, Teresina and The Maranata Bible Institute all marked.
From Goiânia Cora will return home alone, taking up her studies and work with the girls on Wednesday nights. I will go on to Teresina, Piauí, (1606 miles from home, as the fly crows) for the first time, to do an intensive week at the new Presb seminary there - a workshop on expository preaching. (2-7 Oct) I am a bit nervous, as ever, going somewhere new, and also because of the weather. We are still in sweaters down here: Teresina is the hottest state capital in Brazil, with a daily maximum which averages over 40.
The other main ministry trip this month is to the Maranata Seminary (16-21 Oct) - an annual fixture, (see here) and a key commitment for us. We will both be teaching. Maranata has been having a very hard time: please pray that we might be an encouragement to all.
Car
We take this opportunity to thank those who have contributed to our car fund, which has reached about 5000 pounds, well on the way to the figure we need. We praise God for your generosity.
Projector
The data projector (a generous gift from a friend) stopped functioning some months ago, and we have been without one for presentations. This makes a real difference to our teaching, and to musical flexibility in the church. The bulb is no longer available either from England or Brazil, and a new projector bought here could cost 1300 pounds or more. Please pray that we will soon be able to find a suitable replacement: we are aware that this is a capital issue at the same time as the car, but it is even more urgent.
Praise for a great time with Bec and Tom - some of the happiest weeks we have spent together in years. We seem to be finally settling into the rhythm of this living apart thing, they are getting into a good frame of mind about Brazil, and - probably the key factor - they (we all?!) are growing up. Bec got much better after her initial illness, although has suffered from asthma throughout the trip.
The evening on postmodernism went well, with a fruitful discussion. Thank you for praying. Tom and Bec both still speak excellent Portuguese, with a far better accent than their parents, and yet needing occasional help with vocabulary. It is a slightly odd situation, and not without its humour.
Photos from Bec and Tom's time with us.
Bec had her twenty first here: hence the formal, dressed-up, shots.
Travels
This weekend (29 Sept - 2 Oct) we are going to the first anniversary of the Presbyterian Church of Jaó, a suburb of Goiânia, Goiás. (764 miles away, as the crow flies.) Four moments of teaching will focus on Acts 2: Friday and Saturday nights, and Sunday morning and evening. I don't normally "do" anniversaries without a "strategic" element in a seminary or something, but this is a special case. The Pastor at Jaó is our first contact in Goiânia: Gil, and his wife Débora. (Old photo here:) Through his enthusiasm, having heard the one sermon I preached when Conrad Mbewe was taken ill in 1998, (available here - though site in renovation.) led to the most fruitful regional "centre" we have, with opportunities for teaching and training in various denominations in Goiânia and outside the city and state. The recent trip to the interior of Bahia would be one example of a Gil spin-off. Gil has been a top encourager since 1998, praying for us and putting opportunities in our way. We want to encourage him by showing willing for the first anniv of the new church.
Map with Florianópolis, Goiânia, Teresina and The Maranata Bible Institute all marked.
From Goiânia Cora will return home alone, taking up her studies and work with the girls on Wednesday nights. I will go on to Teresina, Piauí, (1606 miles from home, as the fly crows) for the first time, to do an intensive week at the new Presb seminary there - a workshop on expository preaching. (2-7 Oct) I am a bit nervous, as ever, going somewhere new, and also because of the weather. We are still in sweaters down here: Teresina is the hottest state capital in Brazil, with a daily maximum which averages over 40.
The other main ministry trip this month is to the Maranata Seminary (16-21 Oct) - an annual fixture, (see here) and a key commitment for us. We will both be teaching. Maranata has been having a very hard time: please pray that we might be an encouragement to all.
Car
We take this opportunity to thank those who have contributed to our car fund, which has reached about 5000 pounds, well on the way to the figure we need. We praise God for your generosity.
Projector
The data projector (a generous gift from a friend) stopped functioning some months ago, and we have been without one for presentations. This makes a real difference to our teaching, and to musical flexibility in the church. The bulb is no longer available either from England or Brazil, and a new projector bought here could cost 1300 pounds or more. Please pray that we will soon be able to find a suitable replacement: we are aware that this is a capital issue at the same time as the car, but it is even more urgent.
Thursday, September 14, 2006
Bec and Tom's Visit
Our children are here, and will be until 29 September, God willing. It was eight months to the day since we last saw Tom that we picked them up from the airport here: Bec had left for Birmingham a few days earlier in January. It is the longest time we have been apart, and it has not been easy. We are now together and – as ever – talking, a lot.
Bec is actually not too well. She arrived with what we thought was just jet-lag, but she is running a temperature and has recurring headaches. We have had to delay our departure for Marquito´s family's beach house for her to rest up here. Please pray for a quick recovery.
Next week, on Thursday 21 September, we are exploiting the presence of Bec and Tom to have an evening for students on Postmodernism in the Universities – a general chat about the shifts taking place in European and Brazilian Universities and how Christians need to handle them. Tom will open the subject up, and then we will have an open debate. A good number of MEUNI people have already expressed interest: please pray for a good evening.
The University Chapel
We are still not in the Chapel, and may not be. Are the building repairs taking place there due to last one week or six months? Why are existing users being told one week, and new users six months? WHAT IS GOING ON?
In the meantime, we are still in the flat. The last two weeks have had low congregations, with many people travelling for the end of semester break. (This should have happened in June/July, but the need to catch up with professors' strikes means that everything is running late: situation normal.) Even so, a low Sunday can still mean 20 people, and with a number of visitors threatening to come this coming Sunday, we may be in for a Sardines' Service.
We will be in Genesis 14, God Willing. This chapter which deals with the theme of a war fought by the people of God will need careful handling in the Brazilian situation. It is striking how this cultural difference affects preaching: war is a relatively easy metaphor to use in the UK, but here it is an area for great care. (And perhaps should be in bellicose England?!)
Our children are here, and will be until 29 September, God willing. It was eight months to the day since we last saw Tom that we picked them up from the airport here: Bec had left for Birmingham a few days earlier in January. It is the longest time we have been apart, and it has not been easy. We are now together and – as ever – talking, a lot.
Bec is actually not too well. She arrived with what we thought was just jet-lag, but she is running a temperature and has recurring headaches. We have had to delay our departure for Marquito´s family's beach house for her to rest up here. Please pray for a quick recovery.
Next week, on Thursday 21 September, we are exploiting the presence of Bec and Tom to have an evening for students on Postmodernism in the Universities – a general chat about the shifts taking place in European and Brazilian Universities and how Christians need to handle them. Tom will open the subject up, and then we will have an open debate. A good number of MEUNI people have already expressed interest: please pray for a good evening.
The University Chapel
We are still not in the Chapel, and may not be. Are the building repairs taking place there due to last one week or six months? Why are existing users being told one week, and new users six months? WHAT IS GOING ON?
In the meantime, we are still in the flat. The last two weeks have had low congregations, with many people travelling for the end of semester break. (This should have happened in June/July, but the need to catch up with professors' strikes means that everything is running late: situation normal.) Even so, a low Sunday can still mean 20 people, and with a number of visitors threatening to come this coming Sunday, we may be in for a Sardines' Service.
We will be in Genesis 14, God Willing. This chapter which deals with the theme of a war fought by the people of God will need careful handling in the Brazilian situation. It is striking how this cultural difference affects preaching: war is a relatively easy metaphor to use in the UK, but here it is an area for great care. (And perhaps should be in bellicose England?!)
Monday, September 11, 2006
Taybar and Patty's Wedding
Thank you for your prayers: the journey to and from Lages went well, the wedding itself was a great celebration, and we were back in time for a good Peregrinos meeting. The only glitch in the day was that Bec and Tom were delayed at Congonhas airport, São Paulo, and arrived over an hour late. Given their state of tiredness and ours this did not help, but we still talked till late once we got home with them.
The photo showing money being counted has to do with a tradition at Brazilian weddings. The groom's tie is sold off, in pieces, to the men, and the women put money in one of the bride's shoes. In this way is the honeymoon sponsored! On this occasion the guests came up with just over 700 reais; a sizeable sum. The informal portrait was taken on the way back to Florianópolis: we provided the nuptial taxi.
There are more photos of the wedding here.
Thank you for your prayers: the journey to and from Lages went well, the wedding itself was a great celebration, and we were back in time for a good Peregrinos meeting. The only glitch in the day was that Bec and Tom were delayed at Congonhas airport, São Paulo, and arrived over an hour late. Given their state of tiredness and ours this did not help, but we still talked till late once we got home with them.
The photo showing money being counted has to do with a tradition at Brazilian weddings. The groom's tie is sold off, in pieces, to the men, and the women put money in one of the bride's shoes. In this way is the honeymoon sponsored! On this occasion the guests came up with just over 700 reais; a sizeable sum. The informal portrait was taken on the way back to Florianópolis: we provided the nuptial taxi.
There are more photos of the wedding here.
Friday, September 08, 2006
Tomorrow, God willing, we will go to Lages for the wedding of Patty and Taybar. Patty is Elisa's big sister; Taybar is one of the pastors at the Renewed Baptist Church, Blumenau. The two sisters started to come to the Peregrinos back in April, and Elisa was the first new member in the period of growth we have experienced. We already knew Taybar a little through MEUNI, but the friendship and contact has grown, leading to Andrew's involvement in the CEFORM, which Taybar runs. Taybar ministered the word to the Peregrinos in July. The girls have been a great encouragement to us over the year, and we look forward to Patty's wedding, although not to losing her!
Lages is the furthest inland we have ever been in Santa Catarina; even so, only 3 hours drive. We are taking Mila and Vinícius, and returning with Elisa and the happy couple! Please pray for the wedding, and for safe journeys for all guests. We plan to stay overnight, returning for the Peregrinos' meeting (Genesis 13), and, afterwards, to pick up Bec and Tom at Florianópolis airport.
Taybar and Patrícia
Patty and Taybar with Greyse and Rafael, also regulars at the Peregrinos.
Patty (2nd from left) with her three flat mates: Evelyn (Adventist Church) and Mila and Elisa who are both members of the Peregrinos.
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
Tomorrow is Republic day - a Public Holiday throughout Brazil. The school next door took a moment this morning to sing the national anthem. The flags are of Santa Catarina, Brazil and Colégio Energia respectively. I guess a British school wouldn't dream of doing something like this, and a US school would have the kids much more smartly to attention and not taking the mick!
Leo, a student who lives just a couple of blocks from us, car-shares with me for my two evenings each week at IBE. One of the plusses is that I can take pictures while driving, which is often a desire, because we go at sunset time. The above picture is a view back to the houses of the Prainha, above the tunnels. And below, the bridge.
Saturday, September 02, 2006
Tuti's Sixtieth Birthday Lunch
Today our dear friend Tuti celebrated sixty years in style, with a lunch for family and friends at a hotel restaurant at the north of the island. This lady is a pillar of the Baptist community in the city, a real friend, a constant encouragement, who loves the old gospel and the old Book. She was part of our English group at the First Baptist Church, has attended Andrew's classes at IBE and takes a lively interest in the Peregrinos, albeit from outside!
Her birthday lunch was a fitting occasion. From the reading of a good humoured piece on the great change that a sixtieth birthday brings, to Tuti's recital of a poem learnt as a teenager about thankfulness for life, to the singing of a classic hymn on grace, (those present managing solid harmony with no rehearsal whatsoever) - here was the mix of humour, energy, naturalness and spirituality that we associate with this gracious lady. May God bless her and her family!
Tuti and husband Sadi are among the regular Brazilian visitors to this blog, mainly for the photos, though they both read and speak English very well. We therefore include a collage as an extra birthday present: photos from a walk in the park: the life of spring making its presence felt as August draws to a close.
Tuti and Sadi
Photos from an end of August walk in the park
There is still an autumnal feel in the shot of the hummingbird at bottom left, and in the soft Paineira tree down, floating on the pond at the top right. But the other pictures show the incredible vigour of the subtropical spring, with new growth evident everywhere, including in the massed caterpillars swarmed down a branch and into a silk-sewn leaf nest for mutual protection. This species reacts to loud noises with a coordinated, convulsive movement of the little black horns, giving the impression of a much larger creature in rapid movement.
Today our dear friend Tuti celebrated sixty years in style, with a lunch for family and friends at a hotel restaurant at the north of the island. This lady is a pillar of the Baptist community in the city, a real friend, a constant encouragement, who loves the old gospel and the old Book. She was part of our English group at the First Baptist Church, has attended Andrew's classes at IBE and takes a lively interest in the Peregrinos, albeit from outside!
Her birthday lunch was a fitting occasion. From the reading of a good humoured piece on the great change that a sixtieth birthday brings, to Tuti's recital of a poem learnt as a teenager about thankfulness for life, to the singing of a classic hymn on grace, (those present managing solid harmony with no rehearsal whatsoever) - here was the mix of humour, energy, naturalness and spirituality that we associate with this gracious lady. May God bless her and her family!
Tuti and husband Sadi are among the regular Brazilian visitors to this blog, mainly for the photos, though they both read and speak English very well. We therefore include a collage as an extra birthday present: photos from a walk in the park: the life of spring making its presence felt as August draws to a close.
Tuti and Sadi
Photos from an end of August walk in the park
There is still an autumnal feel in the shot of the hummingbird at bottom left, and in the soft Paineira tree down, floating on the pond at the top right. But the other pictures show the incredible vigour of the subtropical spring, with new growth evident everywhere, including in the massed caterpillars swarmed down a branch and into a silk-sewn leaf nest for mutual protection. This species reacts to loud noises with a coordinated, convulsive movement of the little black horns, giving the impression of a much larger creature in rapid movement.
Duck on post. Did it fly up? Is it stuck? Is it laughing at us?
Friday, September 01, 2006
We went shopping at Havan for the first time, to buy a present for Taybar and Patty's wedding. Havan is a large shop just beside the express-way that links the island's bridges to the BR101 north-south motorway. It sells lots of things. This strange figure stands in front of the pseudo-classical portico. 27°35'46.59"S 48°36'1.57"W
