banhocheiroso

Encontro da Fé Reformada - Goiânia - 2006

This year's conference was a real party. Perhaps through preaching less and listening more, Andrew got a lot out of it. Hearing Iain Murray four times was the highlight: soft-spoken, balanced, sane, evangelical - it was so good to be with Iain and Jean again. It was also a good conference for the sense of close cooperation and friendship with Mauro and Jôer, for the chance to hear and meet Ricardo Barbosa for the first time, for wonderful fellowship with Débora and Gil, with whom we stayed, for a flight on a light plane, for an excellent meeting of the Council of Colloquium - we are thankful for every bit. Thank you for your prayers.

The journey out was also interesting - striking views flying into São Paulo. Sorry for all the aerial shots, but we know some people like them!


The port of Santos - two cruise ships just visible down below.


The Bandeirantes memorial at the start of the motorway of the same name, São Paulo.


A rain shower falling exactly on the city centre of Goiânia as our plane comes in.


Fine modern architecture in Goiânia. The Cultural Centre. Oscar Niemeyer at his curvy - and spiky - best.


Not so fine architecture in Goiânia. How the other half live. There are not many slums in the city, but some are pretty rough. We don't often post this kind of photo - but we need to remember and remind each other of this side of life. Gil and Débora's church, at Jaó, does some work here.


The only caterpillar I have ever seen eating grass. Just didn't know they did. Why aren't there more grass-specific caterpillars? These guys were common round Gil's house.


Some friends of ours live in Goiânia but have a farm in Mato Grosso, 8 hours drive away. A light plane saves much time, and Jacó took Andrew for a quick flight round the city. First time ever in a single engined plane. At bottom right: Jacó and son, Marco Aurélio.


Connecting the First Presbyterian Church to its school, this is possibly the only zebra crossing in Brazil that consistently works. Cars stop. Not quite sure why. Given the general standard of driving in Goiania it is tempting to think that it is miraculous.


Friday Night Conference Congregation


Conference speakers: Andrew, Ricardo Barbosa, Iain Murray, Mauro Meister, Joer Correa Batista


Saturday lunchtime was the first meeting of the Council of Colloquium, of which Andrew is glad to be a member. An excellent lunch at Luciano and Luciene's home, and an excellent round the table conversation led by Luciano. Visit the Colloquium site (in Portuguese) here.


Gil, in one of his less lucid moments. Now everyone will be able to undestand why we have such a good friendship.


Débora and Cora


End of stay: Gil and Débora, Iain and Jean Murray, and Cora, just before the Murrays left for the airport.