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Added August 25, 2002

Cansado?

I have been on several of these trips. I know what to expect - you fly all night, usually there is some sort of delay on the airline connection. There always seems to be some sort of problem. Then you arrive at the airport and have to go through customs - I am always apprehensive. Now (after 911), you have to go through extra security checks. So, it always seems that the flight to or from Brazil is stressful. When you fly back, you can look forward to a little rest. Flying to Brazil, you know that when you get there, then you will get busy.
So, you generally leave in the afternoon, fly all night and then stay up most of the next day - generally at least 36 hours with little or no sleep. And that is the way that we start these trips - sleep deprived.
As you go through the week, it usually doesn't get much better. On this trip, Steve, Jim and I traveled 45 minutes to the site where we ministered and it was 45 minutes back. To make everything work, we got up at 6AM and didn't get to bed before midnight or later - usually later.
So, to be honest, throughout the week, I am usually tired, bordering on exhausted. It has been interesting to notice how this affects the visits.
I have been privileged to work with some great interpreters. For the previous three years, Deborah was my transltor. Even when she is tired, she does a great job. For this year, Juliana was my interpreter - she was cut from the same stock as Deborah. During a visit, I have never heard either Deborah or Juliana complain - even when I know they are exhausted.
What is it about the visits that allows us to be effective even when we are tired? I don't know what the answer is for the other folks, but I can give my ideas about myself.
I have observed that I am often tired and apprehensive BEFORE the visit starts. Sometimes, it is a struggle just to keep up with the rest of the group as we walk to the visit. Thank goodness that the Brazilians walk slow - otherwise, they might leave me behind. But, as the visit starts, the anticipation starts. This is another opportunity to see God at work - another chance for the Holy Spirit to speak to someone through me - another situation where Jesus can minister to a needy soul. The excitement begins.
As the visit continues, there is usually something that happens to encourage me. Maybe one of the folks that we are visiting will nod, or maybe they will look me in the eye - maybe the person that hasn't been paying attention will suddenly open the tract and start to study it. The responses differ widely, but usually something happens - sometimes one of the believers on the visit will spontaneously share their testimony or the person will ask a probing question. Sometimes all the distractions will go away - sometimes the distractions will intensify - in either case, depending upon the situation, it can be evidence that the spiritual struggle is intensifying. During the visit, I get a front row seat - I get to watch this spiritual struggle as it develops. It is exciting to watch people as they make decisions that will affect their life for eternity.
I draw energy from those around me - maybe I give some of that energy back. As I think about it, what could be better than being surrounded by people who have been touched by the words that I said? What is better than sharing Christ with folks and seeing that they are interested enough to do something about it?
It is true that I go through the week in a state of exhaustion. Almost everyone realizes this - many of the church members will look at me and say "Cansado?". (That is Portuguese for "Weary?" or "Tired?".) Yes, I am tired - but, I know that when I need the energy, then it will be provided.

Here are some Brazil links that you may find interesting:
Adilson's Home Page (Deborah's father) - it is all in Portuguese and has some of the songs that he has written.
Brazil: www.countrywatch.com
www.vivabrazil.com
Portuguese - English On-line dictionary
Babelfish On-line Translator

This picture was taken at Colonial Hill Baptist Church on August 11. We had finished the report service and these are some of the folks who have gone to Brazil in the past.

click on the image for a larger picture

Glenn, Jan, Mollie, Carol, Britt, Jim
Julia, Allie Beth, Britney and Evelyn


Corcovado with Sugar Loaf in the background


Campinas

Click on the map for a larger and more detailed map of Campinas
It shows the location of each MacDonald's

The following two pictures were given to me by Vicki:


I am not sure what is going on in this picture - looks like Jan is wrestling a crocodile. It also shows that we do take a little bit of time to relax after the week of evangelism. And what better way to relax than wrestling a statue?

(Someone mentioned that they didn't want others to see this picture but why did they pose for the picture if they didn't want it to be shared?)


Cowgirl Elsa

Amarillo Report Service Thoughts

The Amarillo group gave their report on August 18. Vicki, Jan, Sheri, Starla, Steve, Dale and Glenn gave reports. Matt and Stan were unable to attend the report service. One of the themes that seemed to run through the testmonies was that God taught something significant to each person that went on the trip.
Vicki spoke about the importance of telling everyone that God loves them. Jan talked about the need for unity - if we are unified, then we can do great things. In her testimony, Sheri told about the difficulties that she had, these seemed to be especially frustrating on Wednesday. Starla related the challenges of working with the vehicle that they used for transportation. It had no reverse, no horn and the window would spontaneously 'roll-down' - plus, the hatchback would open after going over big bumps. Steve talked about some of the challenges that he dealt with. Dale spoke about the 'legalism' that he ran into and the frustrations caused by it. Glenn finished up with a victorious report about a young man who made a decision - even though the witnessing situation was less than ideal. However, he had a lot of prayer support.
Something that was very interesting about the Amarillo report was that Glenn had invited a couple of Mormom missionaries to come to the report service - and they were there. Pray that God will use this report service to show these young men the truth about God - especially that we are saved by grace, not by works.
As I listened to the reports, it seemed that at some point during the week, almost everyone became frustrated or disappointed or depressed about some situation or another. For the most part, it seemed that God also helped everyone to work through the particular situation that they found themselves in. Most agreed that it was a stressful situation but it was good to go through and learn more about God.

Letter from Pastor Barreto to Evelyn

Evelyn received this email from Pr. Barreto and I thought that it was a great letter and thought that others would be interested in it also. It is a great compliment to Evelyn and others on that team ---
Dear Evelyn Barnett:
The Central Baptist Church in Mage has been missing you.
It was really wonderful to spend those days by your side. God has taught me that He can use anyone no matter the age that person may be. You seemed to be so weak but I could find a tremendous strength in you. I am quite sure that your life has been under God's control.
We have been working on those visits since you left. It makes me happy to see some of those who received Jesus as Savior come to church and attend the service. Every time I stare at them, I remember you, Matt and Dale. I am thankful for your lives.
I will try to let you know how things are going here in Mage. I guess you would be glad if you could keep track of the changes that you started in our lives.
I do hope God keeps on pouring his blessing upon you. By the way, it was not difficult at all to keep an eye on you as the others asked me to. I would say it was a great pleasure as well as a blessing for me.
Love,
Pastor Elias da Silva Barreto

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