Belo Horizonte

Belo Horizonte is a city of contrasts

with favelas (slums)

right next to more wealthy homes

throughout the city. 

The majority of people live in apartment buildings

because it is safer

and we just happened upon

neighbours enjoying a chat together.

Another wonderful Sunday

We had been told about the Feira Hippie (Hippy Fair) held every Sunday on a main street in the city of Belo Horizonte. Eugenio invited us to join him and his wife Carol last Sunday.

 

 It was a gorgeous day and we started early to miss the crowds.

What a good idea that was. Thanks Eugenio and Carol.

Such a variety of stalls at the market. Like the guy who made traditional musical instruments

and made us into his very own band 

which he conducted.

We tried some local food called pamonha - a sweet corn mash wrapped and boiled in corn leaves, and then cut open and served on corn leaves.

We bought two - one 'salty' (we would say savoury) and one sweet - the first with a mild pale cheese added on top and the second with sweetened condensed milk and the same cheese.

 

There were buskers to appreciate,

 

interesting sights to see (!) 

 stalls to visit,

stallholders to engage with,

people to watch 

and music to be enjoyed.

  Thank you Eugenio and Carol for a great morning out.

Then we headed to Carol's parents' home for lunch. Such generous hospitality. Thank you, Edilson and Regina.

Then it was back to camp for a bit of a rest before church. We went to Thais' and Lucas' church and were warmly welcomed.

And after church it was back together for supper with these special young people - the kitchen staff at the camp. Over these last almost four weeks we have become good friends. Surely they are part of the reason we are in Brazil at this time. We thank God for them and for the gift of being part of their lives.

Mocidade Para Cristo (YFC) 65th Birthday Celebration Part 2

The National Conference for Brazil was held at the MPC/YFC camp near the city of Belo Horizonte.

Each morning we were summoned to breakfast by the bugle.

We were treated to good preaching with the emphasis on the importance of prayer in all things,

to good

and interesting food

There was a flag raising ceremony and flags were hoisted and flown to represent MPC Brazil, the Brazil national flag and the flag of the state of Minas Gerais.

The major ministries of MPC were highlighted.

Deborah told us about Escola da Vida - School of life, which is active in 130 cities around the country. We should know more about this in a few weeks when we have been involved in São Luis in the north of Brazil.

Frank and Eugenio told us about Conexões - Connections - the mission sending arm of MPC Brazil

Camilla, a gifted young woman in finance, told us about the importance of financing a ministry well

- the ministry of resources.

Because this young woman is so gifted and loves her job, Camilla works not only with MPC Brazil but also with the South American Regional team and The Americas Area team. Its so wonderful the way God gifts us all in different ways so that together we can be His team.

Neciula is the passionate young woman who heads up the coaching department.

 She asked me if I would say a few words about coaching and I was really happy to do that because coaching has changed the way I have been able to help others along their journey.

 Eliana interpreted for me.

 Coaching is the process of coming alongside a person and helping them to discover for themselves, what it is God wants them to do and how they might go about that.

I had brought with me a number of certificates for people who had completed Coach training with Chris and Linda Harding, the Aussies who head up the YFC International Coach training program. I was privileged to present Ivison with his certificate.

Samuel and Chris and their children were prayed for as they prepare to go to Russia as missionaries with YFC in December,

and it was great to meet with others from the international MPC community - here from Columbia, Uruguay, Australia, Brazil and Mexico - love the diversity of the YFC family.

Mocidade Para Cristo (YFC) 65th Birthday Celebration Part 1

Last week MPC/YFC Brazil celebrated 65 years whilst also enjoying their Annual National Conference together. 

 

It all began with registration on Wednesday when the team - 'equipe' in Portuguese - welcomed people as they arrived and designated rooms.

 .

The team worked very hard all week serving us so willingly. Nothing was too much trouble for them.

 At the end of the dining room was a very large poster where people had the opportunity to say:  'What YFC means to me....' (A MPC para  mim e.......) This is an incredible movement in this nation, delivering programs with the message of the love of Jesus for young people in 130 cities!

 From one senior leader: 'Literally the school of my life'

and from another: ' the place where I can participate in what God is doing.'

On the front wall of the chapel (capela), was the YFC International slogan: 'Geared to the Times, Anchored to the Rock' and the recognition of 65 years in this nation.

 The first night was super cold - the coldest experienced here in 41 years! There is no heating in the Chapel and so, as we arrived for the opening evening session, each of us was handed a tiny drink bottle filled with VERY hot water to use as a hot water bottle during the evening. It helped A LOT. 

We were treated to excellent music throughout the conference from 5 YFC musicians who have worked together to provide really great music for YFC for many years.

Brazilian worship songs are all their own and not translated from other cultures.

 

 Although I didn't know all the words of all the songs, it was great to be able to sing along and understand many of the important words in the songs and know that these people worship the same God as I do using very similar words.

Over the five days a number of people were recognised for their years of service with MPC Brazil  as staff 

or volunteers,

 

  as past board members

or as missionaries to this ministry from the US.

 The pastor who preached on the day Marcelo, the National Director, accepted Jesus as Saviour, was appreciated, 

and Marcelo's older brother who first took him to an MPC/YFC rally when he was a teenager.

 And Marcello himself was honoured for his 35 years as National Director of MPC/YFC here. An incredible leader under whose leadership this ministry has flourished.

We all prayed for him along with his family and the present board members.

If I add too many photos to a blog post, the quality is greatly reduced and so I will post Part 2 in a day or so.