Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Crossing the road - we see very few seriously big spiders - this was the first in all these years in South Brazil. But it is impressive when you can spot a spider while driving at speed. We stopped and went back to take a photo. Alex, an English friend of ours, drove over one the other day. He said that, as well as the shock of being able to clearly see its legs while driving at 80 mph, there was a distinct double thump as his tyres squashed it.
Visitors
Glenn and Winifred Every-Clayton, at Praia Brava, Florianópolis
When we moved to Haywards Heath in 1987 we needed to come up to speed with the missionaries that the church already supported. One couple with whom we always got on well were Glenn and Winifred, who work in Recife, up in the North-East. We have stayed in touch with them over the years, but have seen less of each other since we came to live in Brazil than when we were in England. However, they recently come down to Santa Catarina for a conference, and we met up for a day in Florianópolis.
Visitors Urbano, Ruth and Samuel Vitalino on Joaquina beach
Samuel Vitalino, of Recife, now pastoring in Teresina, Piauí, has become a great friend over the last years. His visit to attend a family wedding was a real encouragement, especially his stunning preaching in Lamentations. Always a joy to see him and his family; on this occasion represented by mother and brother.
Baptisms
We have recently had a baptism, of Amanda, and hope to have another soon, of Giovanna, and possibly another person. Please pray for these new additions to the church.
Amanda
Amanda's baptism
Giovanna
Os Peregrinos
The day Taybar and Patty arrived and were received as members in a church assembly.
IBE - Graduation
IBE had its third graduation for Bachelors students in December. Andrew was invited to be "paraninfo" - the teacher who comes alongside as a friend and guide, and who speaks at the graduation service. It has not been an easy period at IBE, but these invitations are always an immense privilege and responsability. The students specifically asked for a "sermon" - they got Mark 12 - the coin and the resurrection. On te one hand, agianst pharisasim, we need a spirituality that knows how to give to God what is God's AND to Caesar what is Caesar's. On the other hand, facing the liberal threat (in the college too) we need to know and trust the scriptures and the power of God.
ABU
The year ended for the ABU group with a party at Victor's flat, with Secret Santas and all. A good time was had by all.
Os Peregrinos
The day Taybar and Patty arrived and were received as members in a church assembly.
IBE - Graduation
IBE had its third graduation for Bachelors students in December. Andrew was invited to be "paraninfo" - the teacher who comes alongside as a friend and guide, and who speaks at the graduation service. It has not been an easy period at IBE, but these invitations are always an immense privilege and responsability. The students specifically asked for a "sermon" - they got Mark 12 - the coin and the resurrection. On te one hand, agianst pharisasim, we need a spirituality that knows how to give to God what is God's AND to Caesar what is Caesar's. On the other hand, facing the liberal threat (in the college too) we need to know and trust the scriptures and the power of God.
ABU
The year ended for the ABU group with a party at Victor's flat, with Secret Santas and all. A good time was had by all.
ABUB /IPL National Training for Student Leaders and Staff Workers, Vitória, Espírito Santo.
We have both been invited to participate in the UCCF /IFES equivalent organization’s countrywide leadership training programme this month. Because of its strategic importance, we decided to go for two weeks of the 3 week programme. Please pray that we may be used through this event to equip student leaders, who will be from all parts of Brazil, to communicate the gospel with doctrinal soundness and cultural relevance. Pray especially that where the ABU groups are weak and currently ineffective, there will be increased confidence to evangelise their contemporaries. The vast majority of so-called evangelical churches in this country do not have a clue how to relate the gospel message to the lives of students who are bombarded with socialist, especially Marxist philosophies in almost all disciplines. We repeat our request for you to pray that church leaders will wake up to this responsibility.
