Church last weekend

 It's not easy for Pat and me to get to church every Sunday in Brazil for varying reasons, but last weekend we made up for it.
 

 My host Flavya (Pat and I are staying in different homes for the next 5+ weeks) wanted to go to a youth service that she likes to attend some Saturday nights and so were invited to go along.

It seemed to be a converted factory space with dicey acoustics and loud music, but those people love Jesus.

The pastor and congregation were very friendly, but, of course, we understood very little of what was said.

Bikes were parked inside at the back

and lots of the congregation joined in praying after the service

and chatting as they ate supper.

On Sunday morning it was a very different experience.

We went to Johnny and Flavya's church. Johnny is the regional director of YFC in São Luis and plays the drums in this church. Flavya attends here too.

This building is 131 years old and architecturally gorgeous and well maintained.

Johnny is on the left at the drums

Once again we were welcomed from the front and felt included.

A couple of the hymns really spoke to me. The first was one that I am not familiar with, but we sang about the fact that we are created to worship. Liked it very much.

And then one of my all-time favourites. 'How Great Thou Art'

This is the last verse.

When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation

And lead me home, what joy shall fill my heart!

Then I shall bow in humble adoration,

And then proclaim, "My God, how great Thou art!"

And the final chorus. 

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,

How great Thou art, how great Thou art.

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,

How great Thou art, how great Thou art!

Love it! I am always blessed to be able to sing some of my favourite hymns and songs in English alongside people singing it in another language - a taste of Heaven.

 In the evening we went to another church that Johnny has started in a very poor neighborhood. Such a cute little building all spruced up and white and very different from everything around it.

Pat shared some of her story while Jefferson translated,

  and afterwards Jefferson tried a selfie on my camera of all those present.

Such varied church experiences and all Igrejas Presbiterianas!

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.

Sunday in Brazil

We arrived in Brazil last Wednesday early in the morning and took a few days to get into a new Brazilian sleeping pattern and find our way around the campsite where we're staying (more photos in a future blog)

On Sunday we decided we'd walk down through the bush/jungle/woods (??) to the river at the bottom of the campsite, still on YFC property. My YFC friend Deborah from the US had recommended the walk and we were not disappointed.

Some of the parts along the path were pretty challenging and so we older ladies (!!) had to go carefully.

We saw many interesting things along the way like this, is it a lichen? on several of the trees.

 

and this tree with tessellated bark,

lots of interesting 

spider webs 

 

and different plants.

On our way down to the river we also came across the worship circle on our way through the 'bush'.

We came to the river and walked across to the other side.

It was a glorious clear sunny day 

(no, those are not gum trees, although they do look like it from here)

 

and so we found some rocks to sit on and enjoyed reading in the sun

and praising God for His beautiful creation and for the opportunity to be enjoying it in Brazil.

I'm pretty sure we'll be going there again.