The Gospel in Brazil

One Cake, Eight Bouquets, and Sixteen Rings

2009-05-28T08:39:00.000-07:00

What has one cake, eight bouquets, and sixteen rings? If you guessed a group wedding ceremony with eight couples you win the prize – a free wedding photo!

It’s fairly common among working class families in Brazil for young couples to complete the civil obligations of a wedding, with the official certificate and the courthouse “I do’s”. However, because a church ceremony and reception can easily cost several month’s wages newlyweds will often put the church wedding off for a while. And sometimes “for a while” just never seems to come.

On Friday, May 1st eight couples from the church in São Lourenço were finally able to walk down the aisle and it was a beautiful sight to behold. Our sisters Sandra and Daisy had the idea to do the group wedding. Together with several other sisters (and some help from the brothers) they planned the ceremony, organized the decorations and arranged the reception. The ceremony and reception were held at a local school auditorium. An event that would have been too costly for any one of the couples on their own served as a night to remember for all of them together.

Sixteen men and women, some of whom may have wished they hadn't a number of times over the years said "I do" once more before their friends and family – and for most of them – before their children as well. There were some couples that have been an example to us all. And there were some marriages that hadn’t just been on the rocks, but had been broken seemingly beyond repair. All were held up with hope and love – and I believe with all my heart they aren’t just going to make it, they’re going to set an example for all to see.

Ever wish your kids could have been there on your wedding day? Well, fourteen beaming sons and daughters watched as Mom and Dad walked the aisle and said their vows. It was one of those moments only Jesus could put together.

The youngest couple, Cesar and Gilberta have been married for three years. The oldest couple, Izidio and Mocinha would celebrate twenty two years of marriage that same week. Bio Nascimento did a masterful job with the message. I was so proud of him.

Gilberta, Cesar, Bio, and Dayse & Dara

The whole event was a testimony to Bio and Dayse, Mozart and Marilia, and Bira and Giovanete’s leadership of the church in São Lourenço. To me it wasn’t just a wedding ceremony, it was a tribute to a church that has really come of age and to men and women and whole families whom Christ has transformed. Most of all, it was a tribute to the power of the Gospel and the love of Christ. It made me long to see the smile on Jesus’ face when His bride walks down the aisle. She’s looking more beautiful every day.

(I don't think the teachers or students would have recognized this public school auditorium.)

The couple's waltz. (Izidio & Mocinha, celebrating 22 years of marriage that week entering the dance floor on the right.)

Thanks for a special anonymous gift from friends in the States!

Thanks for all your prayers. God is doing great things through you!

2009-01-30T10:32:00.000-08:00

"En-joying the Joy of Jesus"
by Dennis Downing

Jesus said "I've told you these things for a purpose: that my joy might be your joy, and your joy wholly mature." (The Message). Jesus wasn't kidding. Kingdom service is just what the word implies - service. But it is always fulfilling and very often brings with it a measure of joy you won't find doing anything else.

The Boa Vista church in Recife has an active outreach ministry to the homeless and needy. On a Saturday before Christmas a group of Boa Vista teens and young people held a special day I called "Saturday in Heaven". Over twenty children from a local orphanage gathered at the Boa Vista building to experience and en-joy the joy Jesus promised us.

Tug-of-war, team jump-rope, soccer, arts and crafts. You name it we did it. And along the way we got to share some powerful lessons about the Good Shepherd who always goes after the lost sheep and the Carpenter from Nazareth who showed some fishermen how to bring in a catch greater than their wildest dreams.

One of the things that struck me that day was how the children, despite the nametags they all wore, would come up and grab your hand and say "My name is Roberto" or "My name is Michaela". I wondered later on, could that be so we would remember them in case there was some distant possibility we might want to adopt them? Whatever the reason, it was a powerful yet touching introduction to each of these children of the King.

A lesson about Jesus walking on the water

Snack time is always welcome!

There was one name I heard pronounced that day more than any other. And rightly so. He brought us there. He united us. He put that very purpose on our hearts. And he gave us that special joy - and it really was a joy overflowing. Jesus. What a name. Roberto. Michaela. Miguel. Believe it or not, there was even a John Lennon. Whatever they came to know Dennis, Paulina, Joshua and Wilson, they found out something really special about Jesus.

Edson and a new buddie

Paulina and a new friend

It was our purpose and is our prayer that every one of the children from the orphanage went back to their temporary home with another name in their hearts. He's the One who wants to adopt them in a way nobody else on earth can. Pray they will know Him and find their place in the Home he's prepared for us all. And may you en-joy the joy of Jesus.

It may not be Heaven, but it'll do for now

40 Days of Prayer for the Living Stones

2006-03-22T06:34:00.000-08:00

We are just over half way through the 40 Days of Prayer for the Living Stones that God is raising up in the city of São Lourenço.

We are praying especially for those for whom nobody else is praying and for whom it seems everyone else has lost hope. Some of us were once like that. But Jesus didn't lose hope for us! Please join us.

These are some of the Living Stones God has already raised up in São Lourenço. Imagine how many more He can bring to glory and what a great spiritual house He is making. Your prayers are tearing down strongholds and building up Holy walls!

"This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds." Then he adds: "Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more." Hebrews 10:16-17

Once the law was written on stone, as hard as men's hearts. But God desires to write it now on men's hearts and in their minds. Please pray for the men and women in the city of São Lourenço, Brazil.

Spiritual Retreat during Carnaval

2006-03-07T07:37:00.000-08:00

Over 220 men, women, and children, members and visitors gathered for four days of fun, fellowship, and Bible study during the Carnaval weekend. We met at a retreat site close to Olinda, near Recife.

The theme for the retreat was “The More Important Things” focusing on Jesus’ words in Matthew 23:23.

Here’s an English version of the retreat’s poster:

We sure wish you could have been here. But, since you

couldn’t (we understand), we’ve organized some photos of the retreat so you could see what a great time we had.

Dominoes is a favorite among brethren in the Northeast -

We also had some great volleyball…

The dodgeball game drew a lot of teens…

And all around the fellowship was great!

We also had some great teaching. Here is Regis teaching a group of adults -

Bio teaching the teens -

And each night we capped it off with some great evening worship -

We want to thank everyone for your prayers. Thankfully, as far as we know, all the Christians in this region had a safe and healthy Carnaval week and for those who were able to make it to the retreat it was also a very edifying one.

Grace and peace to all,
Dennis