Brazilian Culture: The Birthday

“Today is my birthday and I would like to let everyone know how thankful I am to see the Lord’s blessings these past years…”  You will often here this type of declaration when a Brazilian celebrates his birthday.  Birthdays are BIG events here no matter what your age might be.

As Americans we were kind of embarrassed at first with all the hoopla on our birthdays, because after about your 12th birthday your pretty much emotionless when your big day arrives. At least I can speak for most Americans while there certainly are exceptions to the rule.  

Well here I go….Today is my birthday!  Sounds weird doesn’t it?  Today I received phone calls and notes from our Brazilian friends and church family wishing me a happy birthday.  Although of course we do the same thing in America here in Brazil about everyone of them will include an impromptu speech about all the things they appreciate about you and their wishes for many years of blessings, success, and happiness.  It is actually very special but at first it took time for us to learn to be just as excited about them on our birthdays.  If you don’t take them seriously they might think there is something seriously wrong with YOU.

It is not strange to see many times throughout the week extravagant parties where many friends are invited to celebrate birthdays. This has created a need for event centers all over the city. Both the rich and the poor take part.  Some save up money for these special events.  Already we have been invited to share the Word at such events.  Ones schedule could become very full with just birthday parties.  We have learned to enjoy it! For us it is an incredible opportunity to meet people and share the Gospel.

In closing, thanks to all who sent me a birthday greeting today.  Don’t worry if you didn’t!

The Fern and the Bamboo

The Fern and the Bamboo…..One day I decided to quit…. I quit my job, my relationship,  my spirituality.. I wanted to quit my life. I went to the woods to have
one last talk with God.

“God”, I said. “Can you give me one good reason not to quit?”

His answer surprised me…

“Look around”, He said. “Do you see the fern and the bamboo?”

“Yes”, I replied.

The Fern Grows Quick

“When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds, I took very good care of them. I gave them light. I gave them water. The fern quickly grew from the earth. Its brilliant green covered the floor. Yet nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo.

In the second year the Fern grew more vibrant and plentiful. And again, nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo”.

He said. “In the third year, there was still nothing from the bamboo seed. But I would not quit.

In the fourth year, again, there was nothing from the bamboo seed.
But I would not quit.

He said. “Then in the fifth year a tiny sprout emerged from the earth. Compared to the fern it was seemingly small and insignificant.

But just 6 months later the bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall. It had spent the five years growing roots. Those roots made it strong and gave it what it needed to survive. I would not give any of my creations a challenge it could not handle.”

He said to me. “Did you know, my child, that all this time you have
been struggling, you have actually been growing roots. I would not quit on  the bamboo. I will never quit on you. Don’t compare yourself to others.”

He said. “The bamboo had a different purpose than the fern, yet, they both make the forest beautiful.”

“Your time will come,” God said to me. ” You will rise high!”

“How high should I rise?” I asked.

“How high will the bamboo rise?” He asked in return.

“As high as it can?” I questioned.

“Yes.” He said, “Give me glory by rising as high as you can.”

I left the forest and brought back this story. I hope these words can
help you see that God will never give up on you.

A Bamboo Forest at Last

Never regret a day in your life.
Good days give you Happiness.
Bad days give you Experiences.
Both are essential to life.
Keep going…
Happiness keeps you Sweet,

Trials keep you Strong,
Sorrows keep you Human,
Failures keep you Humble,

Success keeps You Glowing,
But Only God keeps You Going!

One eye on the Bible and one on the News

Keep your eyes on the Bible

For the next three weeks I am teaching a block course at the Seminary on Dispensational Interpretation.  As I teach through the differences of Covenant theology and dispensational theology I am so glad once more that I beleive in the literal fulfillmente of OT prophecy.  Christ is coming again and Isreal and the nations are at the center of things.  Wow! It makes your hair stand up if you really understand the times.  What a day to be warning the people of Porto Alegre to “kiss the Son” (Psalm 2). Pray that we will continue to see dear souls become obedient to the faith. Looking up, for our redemption draweth nigh (Romans 8:18-25).

Seeing Good Growth at Hope

Mexican Food Sunday

We are going through the Gospel of Romans in our church plant and we are all learning together.  Ana has come back and still has not acepted Christ.  Continue to pray for her. 

Gustavo and Lisandra are growing in leaps and bounds. Gustavo is excited about his new job as a lawyer for Braziltelcom.  Brasiltelecom’s Judicial department is the second largest here in Brazil becuase of the all suits they have against them.  Pray that God will use him in the marketplace to be a consitant testimony and reach his friends with the gospel.  Gustavo and Lisandra finished book one of discipleship and are now going on to study “Sherpherding a Childs Heart” in preparation for thier new little one.  We will be studying together with them as well.  We found a DVD series in Portuguese that goes along with the book.  Pray that God will use the material to prepare them for children. We start that on Saturday night.

Douglas is excited about the new ministry we have added called “Hope Jovens”.  We will be meeting once a month with people who want to converse in English.  We have an event planned for August 9 and already a good group of unsaved folks will be coming.  We have planned the events until the end of the month.  We will be meeting in the public market downtown.  Pray that through this we can make some new contacts for the Gospel.

We have a lady named Patricia that has been very faithful each week.  She had been looking for a church that preached the Word for quit some time.  All of her uncles were at one time Baptist pastors and have now gone into the pentecostal movement. 

Pray for the Hope Baptist Church and the work of the Gospel in Porto Alegre.