Brazil 2015

Pastor Mike and Wayne made it last Wednesday and immediately jumped into the action. Both spoke to small groups that very same evening. Over the next three days, Wayne was able to speak to good groups of business men and women at all three churches, Mogi das Cruzes, Suzano and Sao Jose.  Some great questions came out and he was able to share from his heart and was very relatable as he shared the path that God has taken him during his career.

The rest of us made it on Friday. Josh and Caroline were able to work with the teens on Saturday night. They had a great time renewing friendships and making new ones!

Pastor Mike (Sao Jose and Suzano) and Randy (Mogi morning and evening) each spoke twice on Sunday.  Josh, Caroline, Randy and Kathy enjoyed a traditional Brazilian lunch with Jaciel, Hosannah, Bruna and their family. Some of you will remember Jaciel and Bruna as they sang at Grace earlier this summer. What wonderful food and conversation!

Sunday evening Pastor Mike, Wayne and Randy were able to spend some time with Willis Stitt. He is the original founder of the ABECAR camp. He and his wife still live on the property and they are the parents of of Julie Tarrataca, Pastor Leandro's wife. Their time with Willis also happened to coincide, but not so coincidentally, with the viewing of the World Series. Willis is originally from Kansas and we discovered he is a Royals fan and also had a TV feed covering the World Series. Together, we watched the Kansas City Royals triumph over the Mets to take the World Series for the first time since, well, 30 years. The same amount of time Pastor Mike has been at Grace! God's timing and provision was perfect.

Since Mogi is now 4 hours earlier than COMO, it was a very late night and the team slept in on Monday. We travelled to Sao Paolo to visit St. Paul's Cathedral https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catedral_Metropolitana_de_S%C3%A3o_Paulo. You might have to translate that page.

We enjoyed a traditional dinner at a Brazilian Churrascaria. Wow, great food and WAY too much! After the dinner we took Wayne to the airport for his return trip home. We got word today he made it safely!

Pastor Mike and Pastor Leandro had a very stimulating debate regarding the authorship of the book of Hebrews on the ride home. Both men presented compelling arguments for either Paul or Barnabas. You will have to ask Pastor Mike his opinion next time you see him.

Pastor Mike started his Church History classes today. There were 72 people listening to the presentations via Periscope!

Josh, Carol, Kathy and Bruna are working with the Making a Difference kids program during the day. One set of children arrive in the morning and are here through 11:30, with another group spending the afternoon. It makes for a very busy day!

Kathy had her first women's group tonight at Sao Jose with Carol interpreting. She speaks at Suzano tomorrow night and Mogi on Thursday. They haven't returned from the trip to hear the report, but we know God is faithful! The ladies here have really taken to Kathy's desire to learn Portuguese. Carol has been a tremendous blessing to Kathy as they have been able to practice the presentation to make sure all the ladies hear the message that God loves them all!

After helping with the Making a Difference program, Josh and Caroline went with Kathy and Ericka to Sao Jose to renew friendships and spend time with some close friends.

Randy spent the day working with Junior Tarrataca on IT items. A number of specialty IT items found their way to Junior's toolbox and they planned how the rest of the week will go. God is working in marvelous ways and it doesn't appear that we will be moving any IT equipment. Praise the Lord for this blessing! They have a number of websites that need some work and Randy and Junior will be working on getting those sites cleaned up and running smoother.

Tomorrow will be a busy day as Wednesday night Nucleo Groups will also provide an opportunity for nearly every team member to develop closer relationships with small groups in each of the churches.

Pastor Leandro and Julie Tarrataca, Leo and Milana along with Pastor Denis, Ericka and Thomas have been fabulous hosts! We have enjoyed a lot of laughter and great conversations with each of them. They have made us feel quite at home!

Please pray that God's Will continues to be clarified for us each day and that we are faithful to bring the messages from the kitchen to the table without making a mess. :)