Finados

Finados in Brazil is celebrated on November second. It is similar to Memorial Day in the states where people put flowers on the graves of their loved ones. It is a Catholic holiday. But it is different in that they also light candles on the graves to illuminate their way to heaven and pray for their departed ones.

In respecto the people I did not go to the cemetery to take pictures, but did today and some of the candles can still be seen.

The cemetery in Campo Verde is different than the one I have seen in Cuiabá. Notice the little "houses" built over the tombs with windows with curtains and of course, flowers. In the first picture you can see big "houses" in the background that are really graves.

In the center of the cemetery a huge cross with circles around the bottom where the put lighted candles as you can see in the close up picture.

This last grave is interesting of a seventeen year old boy who obviously was a good soccer player and fan so the grave is covered with a minature soccer field.

Adolescent Retreat - October 10-12, 2009

Nine adolescentes piled in Don and Zoe Peffer's truck and my car early Saturday morning for an hour's trip from Campo Verde through the small maountain renge to reach our camp, Jeová -Jiré which means "God will provide." There were 37 campers from the ages 11 to 15 from several churches in Cuiabá plus Campo Verde plus cooks, speakers, counselors, and workers. All total we had over 50 people at camp. Those from Cuiabá came by bus.

The mornings began with raising the national and Christian flags, then devotions in our cabins before breakfast.

After clean-up the first session began with the official opening of "Jet Cadets" (our adolescent program), a time of music and Bible lesson. The theme was "Wake Up to Life" and divided into varias areas of our life: social, physical, spiritual and mental. Several counselors including myself gave the Bible lessons each morning and pastor Ademar did messages in the evenings.

Besides the Bible sessions there were discussion sessions where the kids could talk about various issues with several leaders. During free time many kids spent their time memorizing Scripture verses. Prizes were given to those who memorized the most.

Each of the four teams earned points for memorization of verses, Bible competition, sports, and game activities. Also each team had to take turns washing dishes and pans after the meals.

It was a very enjoyable time for all of us. I praise the Loed four boys accepted the Lord as their personal Savior. I pray that the retreat will bring lasting fruit in the hearts of all who participated.

Which team can stick on the most balloons? Which team is the strongest? Which team can fill a water bucket the fastest through these half pipes?

Discipleship Certificates

This past Sunday, October 4, I was proud to distribute certificates to 3 adolescentes and 3 adults for completing the discipleship book. Two adolescentes were absent. The adolescents celebrated Friday night by making pizzas at my house (see previous night entry) and the adults and I went out for pizza Saturday night. In the picture from left to right after me is Eder, Zeli, Josivania, Cátia, Gislaine, and Alexandre.

Although they completed the book, they all want to continue studyin'g, so I am giving them a micro-mini course on a panorama of the Bible to enable them to understand better God's story and plan of the ages.

Please pray for them to put in practice what they have learned and to be faithful to the Lord and to the church.

Adolescents Making Pizzas

My special group of adolescents finished their discipleship course so to celebrate they had their choice of going out for pizza, ordering pizza at home, or making their own. They chose to make pizzas. They did all the work from making the dough to the finish. Eder even tried his hand at spinning the dough.

We all had lots of fun and enjoyed eating the pizzas as well. This group of kids are really special.

Team Meeting at Garimpus

Every year our International director visits our field to see our various fields and ministries. This year our team traveled a few hours to a small private hotel called Garimpu's in Jucimeira for two days in September. We had a good time of fellowship, relaxing, and meeting together. We also enjoyed the hot pools just outside our hotel room's doors. Overlooking the hot pools was this giant cowboy where water falls from his hands. Out director, Boxly Boggs in front between Bill and Kathy Miller and myself. Next to me is Zoe and Don Peffer, then Dianna and Wayne Penner.

Ladies' Retreat - August 22-23,2009

Last weekend, Zoe Peffer, Wellita, and I traveled to our camp, Jeová-Jiré four our annual ladies' retreat. This year there was 41 participants plus our speaker, Rosana, who came up from Dourados, MS. the theme was Heart and Soul - God Transforms Us. Everyone enjoyed her three lesson.

We also had fun swimming, games, biblical competition, and Bible memory. Some even memorized Psalm 27:1-14!

One fun competition was when each group had to make a dress from balloons and tape. Which one do you think is the prettiest? The yellow one was voted as the prettiest and used the most balloons.

CBC Team - Cotton Field

The whole two weeks with the team from Calvary Bible Church was wonderful. The night before they left we went to our camp to rest and discuss the experience. Everyone was exhausted and several relaxed in a hammock.

One of my favorite pictures is the team in the middle of the cotton field near by Campo Verde just before it was harvested. It reminds me that the the fields are unto white for harvest (John 4:35). The Bible says in Matthew 9:37-38: "Then He said to His disciples, 'The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest." As the team returns to school, college, and work, I wonder how many of these will become His workers in the unharvested fields.

CBC - Pasteis

One night we all went to the "pastelaria". Pasteis are fried dough that has been filled with varias combinations of meat (ham, chicken, ground meat)and /or cheese. There are over thirty types to choose from. They even make dessert ones filled with chocolate, banana, cheese, or guava. The best ones are banana, cheese, canela, and sugar. The whole team enjoyed trying them. The owners let us take pictures of them making them.

CBC Team - Espetinhos

Another cultural "food" experience was going down to the corner for supper for "espetinhos", meat cooked on small wooden skewers over charcoal and serve with a portion of manioc, rice, and vinegrette. Choices are sausage, beef, chicken, and sometimes cheese, or meat wrapped in bacon. it is a nice quick meal for just $1.00. It is cheaper than MacDonalds which we don't have here in Campo Verde.

CBC Team - Churrascaria Cambará

While the CBC team was here we tried to give them several cultural experiences at varias restaurants. One of the best was here at the Churrascaria Cambará where the meat is cooked over hot coals on spits and brought to the table where they slice off a piece right onto your plate. They roast varias cuts of meat inclucing filé mignon, the hump of the Brahma cow, ribs, chicken, chicken hearts, pork, lamb, and even pineapple, cheese, and garlic bread. Everyone was impressed as they could eat all your tummy could hold. Two of the guys really took advantage of the $10.00 meal. There was also many hot dishes, salads, and desserts.

CBC Team - Chapada

While the team was here we went to the Chapadas, a tourist are where there are many rock formations and waterfalls. It is also the geodesic center of the continent of South America. Here the group is standing around the marker where we had Bible reading and prayf for Brazil and the ministry.

We had lunch at resaurant overlooking the land that served local food. There was this beautiful tropical flower at the entrance of the restaurant.

The teens went swimming at one of the waterfalls befor coming home.