Week 40

The number forty reminds me of the forty years the Hebrews wondered in the desert. It reminds me of the hot scorching sun they had to endure, I imagine.
It's summer here and it's very hot some days. At noon time during summer in the Northeast of Brazil, when you’re outdoors, all you long for is a shade. You want to park your car under a refreshing shade of a leafy tree. You want to wait for someone under a blessed breeze of a tall tree. God’s creations are multifunctional. A tree not only produces fruits and gives wood. It also refreshes you. But you can only learn to appreciate that purpose living under the scorching sun of a desert.

“Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree”
(Genesis 18:4)

Week 38

After months studying the Bible with Sergio, he told me he needs more time to think. Sergio became a follower of Christ while in his teenage years. The strong influence from peers and the tempting world life style led Sergio astray. After serving in the Army, he completed stopped attending church and confessing he was a Christian. After his son was born, Sergio and his wife Isabela realized they had a big responsibility in his hands---to raise his young son into a good man in a tough world. No better place than in the church and in God's ways.

Although Sergio hasn't professed yet his commitment to Christ and return to the church, we have started a new series of biblical studies. This time his wife Isabela is participating and we're studying the Book of Romans in family.
In the meantime, Sergio is making up his mind.

* Did you know that the first synagogue of all Americas was here in Recife?
Check out the links below:
http://www.archaeology.org/0203/newsbriefs/synagogue.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kahal_Zur_Israel_Synagogue
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/922773.html
http://images.google.com.br/images?hl=pt-BR&safe=active&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:pt-BR:official&hs=IhU&q=kahal%20zur%20israel&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wi

Shalom Aleichem!

Week 36

Last Sunday 30, the church in Curado celebrated its seventh anniversary in a new building!
It made Dayse and I so jubilant to see a church we helped to plant growing and achieving new stages in her life. There were more than 200 people in this special "birthday party!"

Please, pray for the family in the last photo below. I'm studying the Bible with husband on the right side. He's almost ready to commit his life to follow Jesus. But God is doing his work.

Shalom to you all,
Bio and Dayse