Soon it will be that time of year again when I can smell the rivers of North America all the way from southern Brazil. As the cool autumn rains change the temperatures of the water, stirring up the leaves and strengthening the current, the Salmon and Steelhead miles out in the Great Lakes began sensing that it is time for their journey. For the great Salmon it is a journey to his death, but for the Steelhead, his brother, who comes on the heals of the Salmon, it will be to spawn, winter over in the river, and then return to the Great Lakes that next spring.

There is nothing more exciting than working a fly through a ripple after a big Steelhead or Salmon. It really takes several years to learn their ways, master your gear, and develop your method. Both the fish and the river are very wise, but nothing that time and patience can’t instruct you. And then the reward after the catch, firing up the grill and feasting after a long days work. My family enjoys a rich heritage of years spent in the outdoors, hunting and fishing for wild game. My brother and I were recently reminiscing on those days.  He now is taking his boys out to do the same thing.

Much can be learned from fishing.  I remember spending days and days on the river and not one fish. In fishing, patience is the greatest of virtues!  Die hard Steelhead fisherman are even known to fish the icy waters of December, in hopes of catching that beautiful purple rainbow with blackened dorsal fins from his dormant winters nap. The most rewarding part of hooking into one this time of year is that it thaws your frozen line, nose, and purple fingers. Nothing is more invigorating than running down the river, chasing a wild Steelhead that could very easily snap your brittle line if he wanted to. Skill is needed in understanding currents, the geography of the river, your own gears potential, and most important, where you are placing your feet on the slippery rocks of the river bed.  Nothing is more chilling than winter water in your waiters. When this happens it’s time to go home and set in front of the fire.

So, here I am in the middle of an urban jungle, Porto Alegre, Brazil, easily dreaming about how my hand fit around that cork handle, the click of the real, working my way up the river in search of a King.  Well, those were great days that are not real hard to “catch and release” when I consider the dear souls of men and women, endangered by the fall, hopeless, helpless, with no one to call.  A lot was learned on the river that keeps me here close to the bank, in hopes to see that one come home who so long has wondered far from the Father of Lights. Keep praying for “tight lines” here in Porto Alegre as we fish for men with that Irresistible “pattern” of the unfathomable Love of God. It’s a bug that never lets you go!

PS – Don’t worry; I am trying to find some good places to fish here in Brazil! We still have to eat!! J

This is a Steelhead caught on the Manistee River, Michigan

This is a beautiful little steelhead caught in upstate NY

Check out the response to our conversation class today downtown Porto Alegre. 

www.hopeenglish.wordpress.com

We had good interest and promises to come back for our next meeting on September 13.

Pray for a new opportunity called Hope.  We have planned a once a month open source english class for brazilians who want to improve their conversation ability and pronunciation.  We want to give back to the many Brazilians who helped us with our Portuguese throughout the years by offering free conversation in English.  Already we have seen an intrest.  Douglas, an English major, is the coordinator for this ministry.  Check out the web blog for the new ministry.  www.hopeenglish.wordpress.com  Our first meeting will be on August 9 at 3pm.  We will be meeting at the public market place downtown Porto Alegre. 

“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!

“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!

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).

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.

Our church plant continues to go well. We had a returning visitor this past Sunday named Ana. She is searching and said she would be reading the book of John this week searching for God. The others are faithful and return each week hungry for the Word of God. This Sunday we are going to show a creation/evolution DVD along with the study. Pray for God to work in hearts.

We continue to look for a location to meet in. We found a second floor office that has a good view of the main road. We are checking to see if they would even allow us to rent it for a church.

Everything has it’s beginning…God spoke and it was so in the creation of the world and we have already seen His hand at work in the city in the start of the new church.

God saved a couple named Gustavo e Lisandra who He is beginning to use mightily for His name.  We are meeting now every Sunday morning at 10.  Each week it seems we have a visitor.  We are sharing and discussing the vision of the new church as well as studying the book of Romans together. 

We continue to look for a place to meet.  We don’t know how long we can meet in our home.  We have looked at several locations but with the falling dollar the rent is way too high.  One hopful place is a second floor office space.  Continue to pray for wisdom in our search and the the Lord would provide in His perfect time and way.

We are getting excited.  This Sunday morning we will be gathering at 10am for our first meeting. Please pray with us!  We will gathering to pray and study Gods word.  We have put together a presentation that shares our vision for the new church.  We pray that God will move in hearts to form a core group that can add to our vision as we look to be an obediente church serving the city of Porto Alegre in the Gospel ministry for the Glory of God.  

We look forward as well to May 12 when our friend Chad arrives.  Pray that we have a great two weeks.  We have much planned and hope that he can go away blessed to have been with us here in Porto Alegre.  Pray for our safety as we work around the city.  Tonight we put stickers on about 500 bridge tracts.  We will be doing some distribution and evangelism in the downtown area and the city parks near our home.  He will be speaking as well on the two Sundays he is here.  Pray we can make some contacts for the new church plant. People are always interested to hear English interpreted.