We celebrated Thanksgiving with our staff family yesterday. We had most of all the trimmings: turkey, dressing, cranberry sauce, etc... We watched football. It was a two-week old game recorded on a VHS tape, but still football. Mostly it was just nice to be with one another and to share the day together.
Maybe a new tradition started yesterday. We played Tiger Woods Golf. I guess when you don't get on the course in years and years, Tiger Woods can seem just as good as the "real thing". We had a good time. The game even lets you design a player to look like yourself (yet hopefully that doesn't play like yourself in my case).
I guess if I ever overdid it in the States on Thanksgiving, I overdo it here and then some. When you eat beans and rice everyday, and you arrive in that kitchen and stare down that long line of mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, spinach casserole, dressing, etc... It's hard to say no.
Also in almost everything, if I'm excited about something I want everyone else to be excited with me. That's just not possible with the Brazilian staff here. They enjoy it. They love to see everybody, but they just don't "feel" it. They had to develop a taste for the strange plates we put out and they don't understand that sitting around on the couch and watching football is part of the ritual. It's hard for them to get it.
I hope everyone's Thanksgiving was nice wherever you are.
Saturday, November 27, 2004
little treasures
Tomorrow (Saturday) we are having a leaders' training with our students. We are using our upcoming 20-day retreat at the beach (http://www.saquarema.rj.gov.br/) as an opportunity to develop our students. We have 20 something leaders that will live with and lead other students during the project but we are calling them to see the need for leadership now.
Tomorrow as I give the training I'll be talking about all the little things that find their way into our heart and seem to push Jesus aside. Following the trail of our participation in events and whatnot to our expectations, we can usually unveil what idols lie hidden in our hearts.
Our prayer is that we can see Jesus as the treasure of our hearts and ourselves as jars of clay. And in seeing Jesus that we can be broken and then influence as true spiritual leaders.
Tomorrow as I give the training I'll be talking about all the little things that find their way into our heart and seem to push Jesus aside. Following the trail of our participation in events and whatnot to our expectations, we can usually unveil what idols lie hidden in our hearts.
Our prayer is that we can see Jesus as the treasure of our hearts and ourselves as jars of clay. And in seeing Jesus that we can be broken and then influence as true spiritual leaders.
Tuesday, November 16, 2004
al e lemão
Alberto and I have been studying the gospel of John since I returned from the States. And just today I got a message from him thanking me for the time we’ve spent together and telling me that he prayed today. Just praying is a big step for Alberto considering his struggled a lot with God’s existence.
It’s been funny because Lemão and I have been studying John as well. We study the day before Alberto and I and our conversations have been so similar. Lemão has been investigating a relationship with Christ since 2003 and has been a great spark within our community. Recently he’s also been coming to the church. Pray that we could seek to know Christ together.
It’s been funny because Lemão and I have been studying John as well. We study the day before Alberto and I and our conversations have been so similar. Lemão has been investigating a relationship with Christ since 2003 and has been a great spark within our community. Recently he’s also been coming to the church. Pray that we could seek to know Christ together.
potty training
Today was Simon’s first day in underwear. We started his potty training today. So far only one accident. Whenever he has success he comes running through the office saying, canny hots (candy hearts). He gets two after each time going to the potty. So he may be toothless within a few months, but he’ll be trained.
Simon is talking a lot. Since our trip to the States he’s been growing like a weed. I’ve peeked in on him a few times at night while he’s sleeping and it’s just amazing how big he’s gotten. He’s so funny. He sleeps out of the covers sprawled out on his back with his legs spread out.
He has enjoyed sharing a room with Braden (we put them together when we got back). So much so that he spent the other night under Braden’s bed!
Simon is talking a lot. Since our trip to the States he’s been growing like a weed. I’ve peeked in on him a few times at night while he’s sleeping and it’s just amazing how big he’s gotten. He’s so funny. He sleeps out of the covers sprawled out on his back with his legs spread out.
He has enjoyed sharing a room with Braden (we put them together when we got back). So much so that he spent the other night under Braden’s bed!
os tesoureiros
This past weekend we had our kick-off leaders’ training retreat. Our hope is to not only prepare the leaders for our 20-day beach project in January, but also to encourage them in their leadership within their families, our church and our campus community.
Two guys that I’m disciping are participating this year in the training. Rafael and Wandson. I met Rafael in June of 2003 and earlier this year we started studying the Bibleand praying together. This is going to be a big project for Rafael as he’ll get his first experience of helping others grow in their relationship with God.
Wandson and I have been meeting together since 2000. Wandson lived abroad this past year in Paris doing an internship with electrical engineering and just returned. One of the most interesting things about Wandson is that he lives with us. Pray that this experience could help these guys grow closer to Christ and gain a vision for helping others.
Two guys that I’m disciping are participating this year in the training. Rafael and Wandson. I met Rafael in June of 2003 and earlier this year we started studying the Bibleand praying together. This is going to be a big project for Rafael as he’ll get his first experience of helping others grow in their relationship with God.
Wandson and I have been meeting together since 2000. Wandson lived abroad this past year in Paris doing an internship with electrical engineering and just returned. One of the most interesting things about Wandson is that he lives with us. Pray that this experience could help these guys grow closer to Christ and gain a vision for helping others.
portuguese music
For the past several weeks I’ve been recording our night services at church. I know that few of you would be interested in the sermons… 45 minutes of Portuguese, but I think you’ll enjoy the music. At the site you can download the songs in an mp3 format. Here’s the address:
IPS
IPS
big fish
Braden caught a fish the other day with our friend Jimmy while we were at Staff Stimulus. All his friends had a big time watching him reel it in. The meeting took place at a small city about 2 hours from Belo Horizonte. The hotel fazenda (farm hotel) where we stayed had a big playground, horses, and paddle boats for the kids. Not to mention a pool.
Things with Braden’s school are going well. He’s learning to write. The other day he practiced writing our address, so maybe soon he can start sending some letters. He’s learning lots about the Bible, history and he’s even starting to read 3-letter words.
Amy and Braden just finished reading The Apple and the Arrow, a story about William Tell and the birth of Switzerland (historical fiction). Braden loved the part about William shooting the apple off his son’s head.
Things with Braden’s school are going well. He’s learning to write. The other day he practiced writing our address, so maybe soon he can start sending some letters. He’s learning lots about the Bible, history and he’s even starting to read 3-letter words.
Amy and Braden just finished reading The Apple and the Arrow, a story about William Tell and the birth of Switzerland (historical fiction). Braden loved the part about William shooting the apple off his son’s head.
Monday, November 15, 2004
brokenness
Once a year our staff team goes out of town for a time of encouragement and renewal. This year Neal Gooch, the director of the Campus Outreach Johannesburg ministry, came with his wife Jen and shared about stirring up a fresh pot of the gospel.
What we learned was that the more we treasure Jesus, the more we’ll be broken over our sin. If you asked the staff as a whole, brokenness probably summarizes better than any other word what we are experiencing currently. I would still say that it’s a fragile brokenness. We are on the verge and feel the pull each day to run back and try and be strong on our own again. But the calling is clear – be jars of clay for him so that the treasure is what’s important.
What we learned was that the more we treasure Jesus, the more we’ll be broken over our sin. If you asked the staff as a whole, brokenness probably summarizes better than any other word what we are experiencing currently. I would still say that it’s a fragile brokenness. We are on the verge and feel the pull each day to run back and try and be strong on our own again. But the calling is clear – be jars of clay for him so that the treasure is what’s important.
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