Last day in Brasil

We are sitting in the lobby waiting for our buses to leave for a visit to the Brasilian side of Iqausou Falls. It is a nice cool day after a night-long rainfall. We are still thinking of the beautiful fellowship experienced at the Presbyterian Church in Iquusou. They were filled and overflowing with the members and visitors from the community. What a wonderful experience...His Kingdom right here in Brasil.

Argentina

Today we are in Argintina, walking along nature trails in the Iguacu Falls ---among the largest water falls in the world. These are breathtaking and I look forward to adding video clips I've been able to capture as we followed the trail.

I've stopped worrying about healthy eating---might as well since I'm eating everthing in sight. They tell me papaya in the mornings takes care of all dietary problems. I'm living proof because I've enjoyed every bite of food, without consequence!

We do drink bottled water--and the plumbing is an interesting story for another day.

The music in the little church in Iguacu Falls was beautiful. Many of these people speak English. Again, as with all other concerts, the sanctuary was full, every seat including the balconey and out in the court yard. The people all had such sweet smiles and really enjoyed the music. Lyrics were displayed on PowerPOint slides behind the choir making it possible to understand the gospel message being sung throughout the concert. The babies danced and clapped their hands and all the adults tapped their feet, as well as clapped their hands. Once again, the orchestra was hugely appreciated, especially the beautiful brass the filled the room with music.

Busy singing and eating in terra do Brasil

We are singing in many schools and churches. There are so many beautiful homes here, and also some very sad poor places. In our church last night, the first thing I see on the wall behind the pulpit is a huge word Cloud! All the words are in Portuguese, of course.

This mission team is fantastic---and the music is beautiful, but I think the people who are listening are the greatest thing about the trip so far.

Igreja JCL - Bairro Alta

Today's concerts included an elementary school, a middle school, and Igreja JCL - Bairro Alta. I've never seen so many children per square foot in my life. They squealed throughout the concert and didn't really understand who we were or what we were saying---but the orchestra was a big hit with everyone. The trambone seemed to be their favorite!

At Igreja JCL - Bairro Alta, I've never seen such joyful faces as the 100 or so Brasilian faces that smiled back at us as we sang for them during the evening concert. All the churches have been so grateful for our visits. The pastors and the congregation are hugely appreciative. Our combined English and Portuguese version of Standing on the Promises brought tears to their eyes as they joined in the final chorus. Now I understand the universal language of music. We shook a lot of hands at the end and tried to communicate with broken English, hugs, and very kind expressions of appreciation in Portuguese. It might have been a little like Pentecost because we clearly understood each other at the end.

I was able to capture an image from the service tonight at First Baptist Curritiba. Focus for the service was a celebration of what appeared to be about 350 men who had attended a national men's conference somewhere in the country. The men are "the priests of their home" said the preacher and the pastor is "the captain of the ship, keeping us all on course". Each choir member was given a small radio with earbuds for listening to an interpreter while the sermon was being being preached. Altogether there might have been about 5,000 people in the congregation tonight. Note all the hundreds of people gathered below the choir. These are bringing their gifts and tithes to the front of the church. At one corner of the room is a new autombile ---driven in through a large unfinished doorway. One of the families had donated this to help with the building program. Another family had donated a family heirloom. FBC has a five year building program but builds only as the money is offered, as is the custom in Brazil. The santuary is far enough along in construction to provide space for worship, but has several more years work to be completed. Even at this early stage, it is a beautiful building. The people were very hospitable. Earlier today, we has lunch served in a private dining area while the rest of the church (about 1500 people) ate in the regular dining room. Lunch is served each Sunday for $5.00 U.S. currency.

This morning we sang to the English speaking church from this same congregation. We celebrated the Lord's Supper as the Pastor stood at the alter and offered the bread and juice to about 500 people. It was a beautiful sight from the choir loft as the people streamed to the front of the church. The Pastor, Jim Davidson, also leads the choir for the main congregation. His wife Rosemary, works with Jim for many of the ministires.

We also visited the memorial site for the Ukranian Church of Curitiba. The building is no longer the meeting place for the church, but has been coverted to a beautiful park. Once again, the North Carolina Baptist Singers gathered in the building to sing the Doxology.