YFC/MPC camp where we've been living

YFC has a most wonderful facility here in Brazil

with a great swimming pool

 

 a large chapel (capela) for worship and meetings

  and a smaller chapel (capelinha) for smaller groups.

There is an outdoor space for campfires 

 and some wonderful artwork, 

  

often done by the wife of the YFC National Director.

The kitchen has excellent facilities, thanks to the financial and physical support of some American people over many years,

and a great little herb garden out the back of the kitchen.

Pat's and my room gets little sunshine all year round and can get a bit cold in winter, but it is wonderfully private and away from most of the noise at busy camp times. 

Our last day here has been a balmy 27° and so we know it would be an awesome location in summer.

We have had all we need - Pat on the bottom bunk

 and me in the double. Advantages for each of us.

And we were so thankful for a working shower after the first couple of weeks. Can you see the water and power up there together. They call this a 'widow-maker'!

Flying in a couple of hours to São Luis. Hoping to blog again soon, but one never knows!

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.

Brazil here we come

It all began on Friday afternoon when Pat and I both flew to Sydney for a weekend of 'bonding'.

On Saturday we spent the afternoon around Sydney Harbour.

 It certainly earns its reputation as the most beautiful harbour in the world. 

Stunning.

 We took a ferry ride to Mosman and back and took many photos

and of course we saw the magnificent Opera House 

and we visited Kader Attia's exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art. You might like to check it out a bit more by clicking here

 

Today was the last day of VIVID Festival of Light, Music and Ideas and so we hung around until dark to see it. 

It changed the look of the Opera House.

  

Sunday was a relaxing day with a drive to Cronulla and Kurnell and lunch with Chris and Linda Harding, our wonderful hosts.

 Chris and Linda have been part of the YFC family in Australia and internationally for many years. Host and hostess with the mostest at Hotel Harding.

Thank you both for all you did caring for Pat and me and praying for us as we headed off on our big adventure. 

Waiting at Sydney airport now to fly to LA on our way to Belo Horizonte, Brazil. 

Next blog post Brazil!