Sunday in Brazil (not to be confused with the train)

Today we spent the day going from church to church having worship services with different small groups. We started with the congregation in Boa Viagem this morning. We held a nightly meeting the last time we were here so we knew most of these folks. It was good to see everyone again and "catch-up" thru a mix of English, Italian, Latin, Spanish, Portugese and LOTS of hand gestures. At one point I found myself listening to German. This congregation is 12 years old and needs to appoint elders. Rick preached on the subject and then we divided men and ladies and had classes. There was lots of discussion (with an excellent interpreter in the ladies class, Priscilla, who attended York College in the States.)

Ladies class

Old friends: Gilmar is engaged.

New friends: Annie really wants this to be a romance.

After worship at Boa Viagem we went to lunch at a "meat on a stick" place. A Brazilian steakhouse. It was much better than Pizza Hut. (One night we were supposed to go to a steakhouse and the rest of our group decided they'd rather go to Pizza Hut.)

Next we went to a small town about 1 hour from Recife. There is only one family of Christians there and they are new Christians. The oldest son moved to the south and was converted. When he came to visit last year he converted his mom and then this year his aunts and dad. Some of the preaching students and Boa Viagem members go out and worship with them in their home every week. The Silly Bandz were a hit even though they had no idea what they were.


The ladies of the house.

Up on the housetop...usually they meet here but it was too rainy so we met in their home..also on the roof.

Tonight we went to a service where several (I think 5) congregations are meeting together. They meet in a central place on Sunday night about 30 minutes to an hour from their towns in all different directions. Not every week but fairly often. There were probably 30 people there and 12 of them were our group. They had a reception type meal afterwards with cake, small savory treats and coke. We left the Pousada this morning at 8:45 and got home at 10:30 tonight and all the time in-between (except for an hour for lunch) was in the car or worshipping.
I am tired and also appalled at Justin Bleber (spelling) fans. : )

This is the before. There were about 30 people here for worship.

This is the after.

This one knew exactly what the Silly Bandz were and asked for more.


We met this parade as we were leaving. They wanted money for this picture.