An E mail from Theresa Gordon.... News from the frontlines Sunday, June 18, 2006
As you already know, we made it in to Brazil safely with just one delay in Miami. That was really to our advantage because our wait time was in the US versus in Manaus. Hotel accommodations are fine. We are transported by Alsenie and her husband Abujji in the VW Cumvee (of course, Aaron helps out also). The cumvee could be compared to an adventure ride considering that there are pedestrians, bicyclists, and other vehicles all over the road-I have not figured out the right of way yet. The cumvee is really quite comfortable. We don't need air conditioning because we go fast enough to keep the air circulated.The first night here was spent at Ethan's birthday party. The theme was Pooh. As we told you, it is a really big celebration. Met many of Aaron and Tiffany's friends from church and in the community. Aaron took the opportunity to share the gospel with the people there. One cultural difference concerning birthday parties-you do not open the gifts in front of the guests-you wait and take them home with you to open, and you do not put your name on the present-so you don't know who gave what. Other than that, it was pretty much the same.Our second day was spent with the guys meeting/planning/and working out the last minute details of our sojourn here and then lunch at Aaron and Tiffany's. New treat-pineapple sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar, wrapped in tinfoil heated on the grill. During our running around that afternoon, Rhonda had an opportunity to witness to a man who was involved in spiritism. That evening we went to an area in Rio that had undergone major flooding to help serve soup. One of the local pastors had put this together. This pastor, Ivan, has a desire to plant a purpose driven church in this area. It is amazing how God prompts and places similar desires in multiple people to confirm His will. Aaron has had that same vision for the area. Aaron showed part of the Jesus film and then did a presentation called "paint talk"- a presentation of the gospel. Many responded. At the end of the evening, Ben and Justin took "lessons" in expressive dance from some of the dance team that had performed during worshipped. You will have to ask them about their ability. It's interesting, language can sometimes be a barrier, and then again, sometimes it is not. The streets of Rio are decorated with streamers and flags in green and gold in celebration of the World Cup. In fact, things will pretty much shut down on Sunday for the game.Saturday morning the team divided and those going to Taraccua met with area leaders and Andy led the training for small groups. The folks here are already acquainted with the idea to some extent. They had excellent input. This also gave us practice in using our translators. By the way, we met in a frame building beside Alsenie's and Abujji's home. Tin roof with plank floors and open windows. It served the purpose. Alsenie and Abujji use thisbuilding for meetings and church services just like this.I met a lady at this meeting with a sad story to tell. She told it to me in Portuguese, I listened in English and somehow we communicated. I checked with Aaron later. Somehow or another I had understood her.Saturday afternoon and evening we went back to the area that the team had been in last year. It was amazing to see the children recognize Rhonda. We then went door to door (or yard to yard) and visited with the folks. We had two kids accept Christ at the first stop. A man and his wife accepted Christ at the next one. And that was just on our team--not counting the decisions on Andy's or Aaron's.Remember the saying about the planting and harvesting. The group last year did a lot of planting and we got to harvest right off the bat this year.We had our first small group last night. It went well. There was laughter and a lot of testimony concerning scripture. Our translator, Marcus, hung right in there with us. I don't think we messed him up too bad. We ended that small group getting to witness to the couple that hosted us. They are not saved. Know all the details, they are just waiting until they have some things in order. Their names are Marcus (not the translator) and Dora.This morning we went back down to the same area. Alsenie and Abujji have a weekly Bible study for the children. Emily and Justin led out in the games and story time. Aaron and Tiffany were invited by their neighbors to come watch Braz/Aust soccer game with them. So, of course, we all went too. The food here is good-a little different, but good. Interesting, it didn't matter what language you spoke when you were excited about the score or a play. It sounds the same in any language. We leave tomorrow morning for Taraccua. The 300+miles trip will take 1-2 days w/8 persons in and on a Toyota quad cab 4wd truck. We are taking in our own bottled water as limited transportation into the area makes availability an issue. Cooked food will be safe but unsure of costs...last week a tomatoe cost about $3.50US. We will also be taking minimum supplies and will depend on buying what we need as we need it. Please pray for God's provision of what we require and success in sharing the home church strategy.All for now. More upon our return. Theresa
As you already know, we made it in to Brazil safely with just one delay in Miami. That was really to our advantage because our wait time was in the US versus in Manaus. Hotel accommodations are fine. We are transported by Alsenie and her husband Abujji in the VW Cumvee (of course, Aaron helps out also). The cumvee could be compared to an adventure ride considering that there are pedestrians, bicyclists, and other vehicles all over the road-I have not figured out the right of way yet. The cumvee is really quite comfortable. We don't need air conditioning because we go fast enough to keep the air circulated.The first night here was spent at Ethan's birthday party. The theme was Pooh. As we told you, it is a really big celebration. Met many of Aaron and Tiffany's friends from church and in the community. Aaron took the opportunity to share the gospel with the people there. One cultural difference concerning birthday parties-you do not open the gifts in front of the guests-you wait and take them home with you to open, and you do not put your name on the present-so you don't know who gave what. Other than that, it was pretty much the same.Our second day was spent with the guys meeting/planning/and working out the last minute details of our sojourn here and then lunch at Aaron and Tiffany's. New treat-pineapple sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar, wrapped in tinfoil heated on the grill. During our running around that afternoon, Rhonda had an opportunity to witness to a man who was involved in spiritism. That evening we went to an area in Rio that had undergone major flooding to help serve soup. One of the local pastors had put this together. This pastor, Ivan, has a desire to plant a purpose driven church in this area. It is amazing how God prompts and places similar desires in multiple people to confirm His will. Aaron has had that same vision for the area. Aaron showed part of the Jesus film and then did a presentation called "paint talk"- a presentation of the gospel. Many responded. At the end of the evening, Ben and Justin took "lessons" in expressive dance from some of the dance team that had performed during worshipped. You will have to ask them about their ability. It's interesting, language can sometimes be a barrier, and then again, sometimes it is not. The streets of Rio are decorated with streamers and flags in green and gold in celebration of the World Cup. In fact, things will pretty much shut down on Sunday for the game.Saturday morning the team divided and those going to Taraccua met with area leaders and Andy led the training for small groups. The folks here are already acquainted with the idea to some extent. They had excellent input. This also gave us practice in using our translators. By the way, we met in a frame building beside Alsenie's and Abujji's home. Tin roof with plank floors and open windows. It served the purpose. Alsenie and Abujji use thisbuilding for meetings and church services just like this.I met a lady at this meeting with a sad story to tell. She told it to me in Portuguese, I listened in English and somehow we communicated. I checked with Aaron later. Somehow or another I had understood her.Saturday afternoon and evening we went back to the area that the team had been in last year. It was amazing to see the children recognize Rhonda. We then went door to door (or yard to yard) and visited with the folks. We had two kids accept Christ at the first stop. A man and his wife accepted Christ at the next one. And that was just on our team--not counting the decisions on Andy's or Aaron's.Remember the saying about the planting and harvesting. The group last year did a lot of planting and we got to harvest right off the bat this year.We had our first small group last night. It went well. There was laughter and a lot of testimony concerning scripture. Our translator, Marcus, hung right in there with us. I don't think we messed him up too bad. We ended that small group getting to witness to the couple that hosted us. They are not saved. Know all the details, they are just waiting until they have some things in order. Their names are Marcus (not the translator) and Dora.This morning we went back down to the same area. Alsenie and Abujji have a weekly Bible study for the children. Emily and Justin led out in the games and story time. Aaron and Tiffany were invited by their neighbors to come watch Braz/Aust soccer game with them. So, of course, we all went too. The food here is good-a little different, but good. Interesting, it didn't matter what language you spoke when you were excited about the score or a play. It sounds the same in any language. We leave tomorrow morning for Taraccua. The 300+miles trip will take 1-2 days w/8 persons in and on a Toyota quad cab 4wd truck. We are taking in our own bottled water as limited transportation into the area makes availability an issue. Cooked food will be safe but unsure of costs...last week a tomatoe cost about $3.50US. We will also be taking minimum supplies and will depend on buying what we need as we need it. Please pray for God's provision of what we require and success in sharing the home church strategy.All for now. More upon our return. Theresa
posted by "Deus esta conosco" at 7:06 AM
1 Comments:
God is so good! It is amazing to hear all that He is doing in and though you guys. I also wanted to say Happy Bithday to Justin. I don't know if you will read this but It is amazing to think that while most people are thinking about what they are getting your thinking about how much you can give as is the rest of the team. God is going to bless you guys socks off and you can quote me on that. We love you guys and are lifting you up like crazy.
Ian
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