Panaquatira Day

I wasn't ready for the wonderful surprises in my great day out with Patricia and Alicia, when they invited me to go with them to the weekly meeting of the pastors of the Igreja (Church) Batista International.

I met these two gorgeous ladies (mother and daughter) last week, because they are from the church that partnered with YFC for Escola da Vida last week. 

  What a wonderful idea it is for the pastors of this movement to meet weekly 

for prayer, encouragement and refreshment 

in this very peaceful setting some distance from the city of  São Luis.

They spend the morning reading the Bible together, talking through any issues they are facing as a church and pray for each other.

I was asked to share about what I do as a Senior Servant.

It was also an opportunity to tell other pastors about the Escola da Vida program and how the local church can be a part of the ministry.

 While the 'business' was happening with the pastors, the ladies in the kitchen were cooking up

 some of the most delicious food I have eaten in Brazil. This was a beautiful fish dish

and the pastors were eager to line up for lunch.

We all had the opportunity to chat over lunch

 and enjoy each other's company

 

and spend more quality time together.

And after lunch, the Brazilian rest in the rede (hammock), for some, before we headed back to the city.

Thank you so much for including me, Patricia and Alicia. It was a special day out with you ladies.

A lovely day out

Lidia picked me up in time to go to lunch at her house.
Lidia is Johnny's assistant at YFC in São Luis.

We took photos of each other

while we were eating lunch. Lidia's suggestion. She loves to take photos.

We had a long lunch as we chatted about lots of things and then we had a nap - as is the custom here in Brazil.

I had my nap on her parents' bed while her mum had hers in the hammock - rede in Portuguese (pronounced hedgie) - in Lidia's room.

After our nap and shower, we headed off to the supermarket to buy some things for her mum.

 It wasn't very different from many supermarkets in Australia,

except for some of the things that can be bought there. Lots of these things in the bakery section are quite unlike anything we can buy in Australia - very traditionally Brazilian. Lidia bought some tapioca balls.

The people helping at the checkout were wearing T shirts that said in Portuguese 

"Can I help? It is a pleasure to serve you."

Nice touch.

 When we arrived home Lidia's dad was having his hap in the rede in the living room

and we had some afternoon tea. We ate the tapioca balls from the supermarket, cheese, avocado, some tiny and delicious bread rolls,

 some carrot, orange and honey yogurt,

and pimenta jam. 

Now that was a new experience for me, but I liked it and went back for more!

Lidia's mum joined us at the table for a chat. Lidia was our interpreter.

A bit later Lidia and I looked through some photos from Escola da Vida last week and chatted on her bed for a while. Such a relaxing time together sharing life.

Her mum and dad were relaxing in their redes

and watching the news on TV.
What a comfy option.
Brazilian houses here in the north have rede hooks in the wall at just the right height. A very well defined part of their culture.

Then we all had dinner together before Lidia took me home.
Such a lovely day together with a gorgeous young woman.

Thanks so much, Lidia. You blessed me.

Escola da Vida - School of Life

The flagship program for YFC in Brazil is Escola da Vida - School of Life. This program is run in secondary schools in over 100 cities throughout Brazil. Last week we had the privilege of taking part in EDV at a school in São Luis. Lots of preparatory work is done with the school principal, staff and a supportive church. They become team to present the program to the students. We were told that this was a particularly good combination. It certainly looked that way to us.

I need to mention that school in Brazil happens either in the morning, or the afternoon. (I gather it is to do with population and resources). As this was a high school there is also an evening school for those who cannot attend during the day for whatever reason. So three groups of students attend school on any given day.

For the EDV program, the students come in their year levels, for about an hour each day, and for the first four days of the week they hear presentations by quality presenters. The subjects chosen by this school were:

drugs, sexuality, self esteem, vocation and family relationships.

School of Life

Principles that transform

Johnny is the leader of YFC in  São Luis and

 

he is a gifted presenter who engages the students so well.

Kelvin is a pastor who was a street kid and drug addict and spoke so

captivatingly with them about both legal and illegal drugs.

There is a wonderful team of volunteers who come each day to support the program 

 

and build relationships with the students.

 

On Friday, all the year levels came together to the final presentation in the school 'gym'. 

The partner church provided great music that engaged the kids.

And, along with other parts of the program, a gifted guy performed a brilliant drama 

 

 depicting five young people with different lifestyles/personalities

who each came to realise that God was inviting them into a personal relationship with him. I have never been more greatly moved by a presentation than I was by this one. Pat felt the same.

At the end of the evening session on Friday it was photo time - many of the team who had taken part during the week.

The partner church was a short walk from the school. These people were fantastic and such a gift to the YFC team and the students. They welcomed us, provided lunch and dinner for us each day, were part of the entire program by providing some of the speakers and music and coming along to the sessions during the day. And they want to be part of another school program in the future. Yay!

 

 On Saturday we all met together at the church for lunch, debrief and prayer to close a wonderful week.

The Escola da Vida T-shirt explains that "When you change everything changes".  You don't need everything else to change so that your life will change, you can be the change.

Great job MPC São Luis.

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!