Bio Nascimento—Ministry and Family

Christmas of 2011

2011-12-23T12:12:00.000-08:00

Dear all,

Although Christianity and Judaism are not the same religion, Christmas and Chanukah share a very common trait: Lights.

May during this season we renew our convictions that [our] light can shine in the darkness and bring hope upon mankind.

"The Light shines in the darkness,

and the darkness has not overcome it."

"Even so let your light shine before men;

that they may see your good works,

and glorify your Father who is in heaven."

The Nascimento family wishes a Merry Christmas

and that your light will shine in 2012.

-------------------------------

Visit the link below to see photos of our church special Christmas to some poor families in the vicinity.

https://picasaweb.google.com/117575192645370291148/NatalDaVida2011

2011-12-12T09:36:00.001-08:00

Good Monday morning, everyone!

First of all, Dayse and I would like to express our sincere gratitude to those who have prayed for our family, in particular Dayse’s father. His behavior has got better in these last two weeks, thus Dayse and Carla (Dayse’s sister) are more at easy. Thanks a lot!

Here follows some highlights in our ministry:

* On November 5^th, we held our first support group meeting for divorced sisters in Christ. We realized that not only we had a significant number of divorced sisters among our brotherhood, but they have not received psychological support or biblical comfort as members of the church. All of them were married to non-Christians. Pray with us that this meeting was the first of many.

https://picasaweb.google.com/117575192645370291148/SeminarioMasculino2011

* Have you noticed that maybe your spouse, or your children, or your workmate don’t have the same temperament as yours? Well, last Saturday we had Jerry Heiderich from the south of Brazil ministering to a group of about 50 men. He helped discover their own temperaments, weaknesses and virtues, how to cope with different temperaments, and what temperaments are yours opposite. It was a long but fun and informative afternoon. Jerry also preached at our congregation on the importance of forgiveness on Sunday. Next day, at the church downtown, he taught on how to have “healthy” fights with your spouse! Praise God for Jerry’s classes and wise words.

https://picasaweb.google.com/117575192645370291148/SupportGroup

Prayer List:

1. That our family health issues make our ministries stronger.

2. May God grant Dayse and I love to raise our daughters into good Christians.

3. Wisdom for Mozart, Bira and I (my coworkers), so that we may lead the church into a growing and mature Body of Christ.

4. For the construction process of new building.

5. Safety on roads here.

May God bless each of you with his Shalom,

Bio and Dayse Nascimento

2011-10-24T14:17:00.001-07:00

Nascimento Family Report — October 2011

Dear friends, supports and brothers in Christ:

* Dayse and I want to thank all those who prayed for Jasmin’s surgery. The surgery went well and more than one month later, the doctor took off her cast. She is walking a bit clumsily, but her feet look straight. Over time she should walk perfect and next year she must resume her physical activities, Lord willing. God has heard many prayers!

* At the beginning of October I attended a spiritual renewal promoted by Continent of Great Cities (http://www.greatcities.org/). This has been my second year and without a doubt one of the top best Christian activities I have ever participated. I had a chance to take a break from my regular, busy schedule and reflect on what I do. This year’s theme was “Living in Rhythm” [with God]. It is so easy to get out of focus and become mechanical. The speakers stressed the importance of holiness, right communication with others, and that the minister must develop a life of contemplative communication with God through solitude, prayer, and Scripture reading and meditation. I want to thank the CGC organizers and I wish all missionaries and ministers could participate.
https://picasaweb.google.com/117575192645370291148/ContinentCareConnection2011

* Last week I started a personal Bible study with Adriano Gomes. He’s a son of a pastor but who could never find God or connect with church. Pray that I may get to his heart the graceful and genuine gospel of Jesus.

* Teaching — here are some of the classes I’m teaching throughout the week and I ask your prayers that I may be effective and true in these lessons: The Book of Judges (Monday nights); lots of sad stories but incredible lessons; World Religions and Christian Cults (Tuesday nights); Biblical Wisdom Dealing with Emotions (Wednesday services); and a Men’s Group (Thursday nights).

* We continue to support small and struggling churches in the interior of our State.

We decided recently to adopt only one church, so we can give better attention and help.

* Additional Prayer Requests:
1. For my mother and father-in-law’s aging illnesses;

2. That the church in São Lourenço may find her vision/purpose from the Lord;
3. Wisdom for Bio to have better time management;
4. Strength for Dayse as she juggles family, ill parents, and ministry;
5. That our daughters may discover the Lord through us and His church.

May the God of peace and grace bless you.

Bio and Dayse Nascimento

2011-08-15T14:11:00.001-07:00

Dear friends and beloved ones in Christ,

First of all we would like to thank our good Lord for those wonderful and relaxing days with your friends in US (NM and TX) and with our spiritual family at OHC. A heartfelt thank you to all those who prayed for us, served us meals, spent time visiting with us, emotionally and financially supported us. Again, it was a wonderful time for my family and I.

>>> Furlough 2011

We also would like to highlight a few latest news in our ministry:

During the month of July, the church in São Lourenço had a very fun and productive VBS. See photos in the link below:

>>> VBS in São Lourenço

Last Saturday (6) I taught at the church in Curado, where we offered a one-day seminar on how to serve better during church worship services. There were men from several churches in Recife area. It was a fun and instructive afternoon.

>>> Serving Better at Worship

Last Sunday (7) another soul surrendered her life to Christ in baptism. Pray for Iris as she grows in Christ and for her daily walk with Him.

>>> Iris' Baptism

Below you will see a short but important list of prayer requests:

1. Pray for my father-in-law whom we suspect has Alzheimer and my mother, who is with dementia.

2. Pray for time management as I return to ministerial activities and preparing lessons.

3. Pray for Jasmin's feet surgery in September.

4. Pray that our churches may never lose focus of evangelism.

"Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved,

a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth."

in Christ,

Bio and Dayse

2011-03-10T05:43:00.000-08:00

Dear friends, brothers in Christ, and supporters:

It’s that time of the year when we come to ask you to pray at least once for that same prayer request. Officially yesterday started our national wide exaggerated version of Mardi Gras (Carnival). It’s the time of the year when people give full vent to their craves and fierceness.

Please, pray that the Lord will protect those brothers who still have to keep their routines, going out to work amidst the city in agitation.
Please, pray for those will be attending “spiritual” retreats.
Please, pray that our light may shine in this pitch-darkness.

Shalom to all,

Bio and the Nascimento Family

PS: An aftermath note: the church camp went alright. Thank the LORD we had no accidents and we had a very edifying atmosphere. Thank you for all your prayers.

2011-02-23T17:07:00.001-08:00

Grace and peace to all:

Vacation is over, the girls are back to school, and ministry is in full gear.

Below you will see some highlights in our life/ministry and several prayer requests:

l My ministry in this first semester of 2011 will have a greater focus towards public teaching. I will be teaching every day of the week except Fridays at different places and on various themes: Minor Prophets, the Book of Daniel, Riches in God's Eyes, Proverbs, English through the book of 1John, etc. Teaching at the Escola da Bíblia (Book of Daniel) is one highest peak of my week. Please, pray that I may have discipline to prepare myself for each class, and wisdom and strength to give my best.

https://picasaweb.google.com/Bio.Zugzwang/CursosEscolaDaBiblia_20111#

l Djalma and Edilson were baptized on the same day and added to the family of Christ nearly at the same minute, like Esau and Jacob. Their baptisms were different of others though. First, they are grownup head of family men, who will bring along with them wives and children to church. Second, the whole process of reaching them out, opening the Scriptures, baptisms, and discipleship are being conducted by members of the church. There is no involvement at all of any leader! This is a great sign for us.

Pray that these men may grow in the imitation of Christ and that the church may grow in her independence and maturation.

https://picasaweb.google.com/Bio.Zugzwang/EdilsonEDjalma_Baptims#

l We have a ministry in our church called Hope Project. Through it we send 12 poor children from our congregation to a private school, where they have a chance to a decent education. At this part of the country, the public school system is very inefficient. This is an individual ministry where members from our American sponsoring congregation sponsor one child for US$ 600/year or only US$ 50/month. If you’re interested in joining this visionary ministry, please, feel free to contact us. I can arrange a Skype conversation to explain you father details. PLEASE, pray that the previous sponsors will continue on their commitment for 2011 school year and that others will step up into this ministry.

l In January we had a high moment for churches of Christ in Northeast of Brazil—The 25^th Christian Congress. This year's theme was “Being Like Jesus”. Sermons from the Beatitudes were very appropriate for the current context of our churches. The event was held on a very beautiful green area of Recife, yet the best part was the fellowship in seeing brothers and sisters we long hadn't seen. Pray for our churches in this part of the world.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_GkeaaNEJw&feature=youtube_gdata

http://congressocristao.com/

We hope and pray that Jesus Christ is growing in you as your only Lord.

Best regards in Him,

Bio and Dayse

Hannah, Yasmin, and Dara Nascimento

Provérbios em PDF

2011-01-20T18:02:00.000-08:00

Arquivos em PDF com temas e breves reflexões de Provérbios.

Click Aqui

2011-01-06T02:33:00.000-08:00

Dear friends and supporters:

We hope that your Holiday Seasons was surrounded by family, relatives, friends, and specially God’s peace.

Once again we would like to share with you some highlights in our ministry and family here under the equator line. These highlights are in chronological order.

· Towards the end of every year we have our Dream’s Day. It’s a time we take to share our visions of how our church should be, in what areas we need to grow. This year we rented a nice place, and after some leisure time we had a round table of sharing our dreams and casting out visions for the future. It was edifying.

http://picasaweb.google.com/Bio.Zugzwang/DreamDay_Nov2010

· Paula was the last person in São Lourenço to be baptized and saved in Christ in the year of 2010. Please, pray that Paula and many other young Christians will grow in their faith and that our evangelization won’t lose momentum next year. In evangelizing we find purpose for our Christian walk.

http://picasaweb.google.com/Bio.Zugzwang/PaulaSBaptim#

· Did you know that our daughter Jasmine loves dancing ballet? Well, last December she participated in a public performance. We were so proud of her!

http://picasaweb.google.com/Bio.Zugzwang/YasminBallet#

· One of the high moments in the church is our “Natal Dá Vida” (Christmas Gives Life or Christmas of Life). Every year we collect donations and near Christmas day we give one food basket to a homeless person from São Lourenço da Mata. This year we did it a bit different—instead of going out to reach them, we invited them to a special service, handed the food basket, brought them a message from Jesus to their souls, and fed them with a meal at the end. Each year we want to improve this ministry. We realize that feeding their bodies is nothing without giving them a chance to feed their souls and get to know Jesus.

http://picasaweb.google.com/Bio.Zugzwang/NatalDaVida2010#

May the presence of God go with you in each of your steps throughout 2011.

Blessings,

Bio & Dayse, Hannah, Yasmin, and Dara NASCIMENTO

2010-11-01T16:59:00.001-07:00

Dear friends and supports in Christ,

here are some of latest news we would like to share with you:

(1) Last weekend a group of ten brothers from São Lourenço traveled into the interior of our state. We had the purpose to visit and encourage two congregations that have been there for more than 15 years. In each church our quartette sang old and news songs, and Mozart and I brought messages encouraging the brotherhood to keep on evangelizing.

These churches are small and striving to keep their faith in a world of business and temptations. In fact, there are in my count ten churches spread throughout our state. Only four of these churches have buildings of their own and leaders guiding the flock. These four churches are the ones with some steadiness in their faith. Nevertheless, they are all relatively small and in need of encouragement---some more than others of course.

Since last year we have visited all but one of these churches. It seems the Lord is opening a new ministry. We have plans to visit another church beginning of 2011, Lord willing. Keep this new ministry in your prayers, please.

http://picasaweb.google.com/Bio.Zugzwang/IgrejasInterior_Out2010#

(2) Children's day at São Lourenço. We had our children's day on the afternoon of Saturday 9 of October. It was a lot of fun.

I relearned it's rewarding and fun to make kids have fun and see them happy! Check out some of our pictures:

http://picasaweb.google.com/Bio.Zugzwang/ChildrenSDay_Oct2010#

(3) Keep praying for our construction --- We are in our last stage of the first building. We willing to complete it before the end of this year, Lord willing.

http://picasaweb.google.com/Bio.Zugzwang/ChurchBuildingConstruction4#

(4) Dilma Rousseff is our new president and our first female president. During her campaign there were all sorts of rumors that in her presidency she would compromise deep Christian beliefs such as abortion. A couple weeks ago she made a public statement that she would respect family values and freedom of religious public expression. Please, pray she will be good for the Brazilian people. I fear that people in "absolute" power might corrupt absolutely.

Please, remember---your prayers on our behalf will always be our most important support.

Pray that my family will keep on following Jesus.

Pray that I will live a wise and holy life for Jesus.

Pray for my mother's old age difficulties.

Pray that the Church of the Lord in São Lourenço will be a light to this broken world.

Shalom to y'all.

Bio and Dayse Nascimento

--
שלום עליכם
.:: Bio Nascimento ::.
http://bionascimento.blogspot.com/
http://picasaweb.google.com.br/Bio.Zugzwang

2010-10-02T12:01:00.000-07:00

September Highlights

May this letter find you enjoying God’s grace and peace.

Besides the daily routines, in the month of September there were some highlights we’d like to share with you. Also, you will find some prayer requests we’d love you would bring them before the Father.

Church classroom building

Our first building designed for class purposes is close to conclusion. We are now at the last stage of setting up doors, plumbing, light bulbs, etc. Everyone is so excited that each age group will finally have their space to study God’s word and more comfort for their particular activities. Moreover, we expect to double our attendance when both buildings are completed.

http://picasaweb.google.com.br/Bio.Zugzwang/ChurchBuildingConstruction4#

Spiritual World classes

This training class on Tuesday’s nights is one of the largest groups I think I had. We’re not only studying about angels, demons, and spiritual warfare, but other topics that might engulf under the Spiritual World umbrella. People have been very encouraged about the importance of prayer in their Christian walk.

http://picasaweb.google.com.br/Bio.Zugzwang/SpiritualWorld#

Bible Bowl 2010

Our brothers Daniel and Janaina Palk from the church in Boa Viagem organized and promoted once again the Bible Bowl—a biblical completion, this year on the Book of Exodus 1-20. It was a joyful morning of fellowship with many young people that came from churches all over Recife. It was also a great opportunity for the kids to memorize and learn the Scripture. Many kids from São Lourenço scored well at this tournament. Please check the link below.

http://picasaweb.google.com.br/Bio.Zugzwang/BibleBowl2010#

Prayer Requests

That I may live a holy and wise life.
My mother’s health is weaker. Pray that we may find good caretakers for her in this stage of life.
Our girls’ spiritual awakening and growth towards Christ.
Dayse’s adjustment to her new job as a librarian.
The new buildings: may they achieve its utmost purpose—Kingdom growth and God being glorified in the mouth of many.
Tomorrow (October 3rd) is mandatory Election Day in Brazil. May God send us good and righteous men to govern our people.
In November we will promote another Men’s Seminar for all the churches in the metropolitan area of Recife.

May God multiply his peace upon each of you.

Bio and Dayse Nascimento

2010-08-30T14:31:00.000-07:00

Lou Seckler in Recife

Last weekend we had the visit of our brother Lou Seckler from Abilene, Texas. Lou is originally from São Paulo and he was one of the first converts by the very first missionary team that arrived in Brazil in the 50’s. He taught a seminar on “Shared Leadership” and brought two edifying messages at the downtown church and at São Lourenço. Lou has an itinerant type of ministry like what the apostle Paul did in the NT times, visiting churches throughout Brazil, discipling members with potential, and encouraging the churches to have vision. He is a man with a lot of wisdom and experience in ministry.

May the Lord bless his desire to serve wherever the Spirit leads him.

Please, see photos at the link below:
http://picasaweb.google.com.br/Bio.Zugzwang/LouSecklerAugust2010#

Regards in Jesus’ name,

Bio Nascimento

2010-08-25T09:24:00.000-07:00

July/August 2010 Report

[as of August 7, 2010]

Hello everyone, I hope summer was a good refreshing time for you!

This was our last week of vacation. Vacation for me was basically staying in the house with family, since work means the opposite!

During the [American] summer of 2010, we had Alisha and Annika as ACU interns in our house and helping the church in São Lourenço. Besides their incredible love and talent with children, Alisha and Annika have a heart for missions. They were so flexible with culture and they have a strong desire to learn the language a bit every day. I pray and hope they will return to Brazil and God will open new doors for them.

I started teaching once again Genesis, The Primeval Story (chapters 1-11), at the “Escola da Bíblia” ministry downtown Recife. This section of the book is so intriguing and sparks questions of all sorts. It’s amazing to see how God is so good and was so active in the history of mankind during those eons. We had a good group in the first class. We use those classes downtown to both instruct the members of the churches and mainly evangelize the community. We have had good results, praise God.

All the churches of Christ in the metropolitan area of Recife has this yearly wonderful Sunday called “Dia da Família” (Family Day). This year it was on August 1st and we had more than 800 members gathered. It’s a great day to visit with brothers and sisters we have seen in long while. Régis, an elder from the church in Boa Vista, brought an inspiring and powerful message on who were the people that Jesus stopped to pay attention. The church in São Lourenço was in charge of cleaning the place after the event. After the job was done, we hung out for a while to have lunch and enjoy our own fellowship!!

The Sunday school building at São Lourenço is progressing according to schedule. Next will come the auditorium, God willing. Your prayers regarding this chapter of our church history in São Lourenço are most welcome. Talking about prayer, below you will see a list of prayer requests you can intercede before the Father on our behalf:

1. Wisdom to manage my many little things-to-do;

2. A constant pursuit for holiness;

3. Dayse’s well adjustment in her new job;

4. That Dayse and I may instill the fear of God in our daughters;

5. My mother’s health;

6. Discipleship ministry I’m involved; and

7. For the kids in Hope Project.

Check out the pictures from the events above:

http://picasaweb.google.com.br/Bio.Zugzwang/AfterVacation#

May God multiply his peace upon you all.

“Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.

If anyone imagines that he knows something,

he does not yet know as he ought to know.

But if anyone loves God, he is known by God.”

Bio and Dayse

Hannah

Yasmin and

Dara Nascimento

2010-07-15T09:25:00.000-07:00

Visiting and Encouraging Churches

in the Interior of the State of Pernambuco

About one year ago, a local minister invited me to support his ministry in visiting and encouraging small churches in the interior of our state. Last week we had our second trip through three different churches. In fact we visited four cities, but one of them doesn't have a church yet. I presented a short seminar in two of these churches about "The Spiritual World." In two of these churches I preached and encouraged the brothers to continue evangelizing the lost. I tried in the seminar to create in the brotherhood the awareness that evangelism is more than numbers, reports, and competition. It's more about snatching people away from the claws of the enemy and bringing them to the Light of Jesus. Many churches in the interior are small, lack motivation, and solid leadership. It's easy for the members to fall away or lose focus of their mission.

In this trip we had two ACU interns (Alisha and Annika), the Boyce family, and four brothers, Wilson from Boa Vista and three from São Lourenço. It's so much better to work in team. Check the link below. Unfortunately I only took pictures from one church and the beautiful landscape in its vicinity. I will try to add more pictures sometime later.

Churches and Landscape

Right now I'm enjoying my little niece Alana.
The Nascimento family is on vacation until the first week of August

Shalmo upon you all.
Bio and Dayse Nascimento

2010-06-26T18:05:00.000-07:00

Day of Training

Today was a special and different day.
In the morning a group 20 men who are supporting leaders of two churches (São Lourenço and Curado) met for an early traditional breakfast in a city 1 hour away. During the meal and in the midst of a lot of fellowship, we had two short lessons about doing church: the necessary sacrifices to make ministry grow and the spiritual motivation we must pursue in order to keep going. It was a wonderful moment of unity and learning.

This afternoon another group of men from São Lourenço met to watch a video on qualities of efficient leadership. Again, it was the same formula: fellowship, laughers, and learning.

We believe it's the time we need to prepare solidly the men who will keep our churches growing and expanding---men from our own congregations! Check out some pictures:

http://picasaweb.google.com.br/Bio.Zugzwang/DiaDeTreinamento#

Please, in your prayers tonight add this vision of leadership preparation. .

Pray also for the cities I mentioned in my last blog, which were devastated by the "monsoon type" floods. Now many of those cities are under the risk of epidemic diseases.

Shalom
Bio N

2010-06-23T18:14:00.000-07:00

Last week torrential rains and flash floods destroyed many cities in the south of our state Pernambuco, and Alagoas, a state below us. The churches here are mobilizing to help the population there. Literally entire small towns were wiped out. Several bridges connecting to these cities were also taken by the sudden flood. Talked to a lady tonight from one of the cities and she's suggested the possibility of human mistake: perhaps a dam's door was opened more than is should! People received warning to upcoming waters in within 3 hours, and it came.

Please pray that our efforts will reach out to those in despair.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/world/latin_america/10372362.stm

http://fotografia.folha.com.br/galerias/101-chuva-em-alagoas#foto-2206

Shalom always,

- Bio Nascimento

2010-06-15T11:30:00.000-07:00

The excitement in the air is heavy! In within one hour Brazil will be playing against North Korea, a country without tradition in soccer. It's our first game in 2010 World Cup. There is no reason to believe that we will loose. Even still the excitement and the anxiety is so great. People are driving home fast. Buses are crowded. Fireworks in everyplace. Many are wearing shirts with our national colors (yellow and blue). Patriotism is so high like no other time! Soon everything will stop and everyone will be in front of a TV set. Early this morning it struck me the thought--when Jesus returns, will our excitement will be so great and will we be festive? OR, will it be a day as if Brazil lost to North Korea? Noooo!

http://fotografia.folha.com.br/galerias/13-torcedores-brasileiros#foto-290

------------------------

It's not quite correct to compare different virtues. Either/Or is a typical and dangerous fallacy. But let's try it still. What is more important for Christians, knowledge or relationship? Church exists to foster health relationships. Jesus died to reestablish relationship between the Father and the world. The Bible explains how connection was lost in this relationship. The Spirit dwells in us to guarantee this relationship.

Nevertheless, I get the impression that knowledge is more important than relationships in our midst. We value knowledgeable people, well read people. Here's not an apology to ignorance, which is a sour expensive price we pay sometimes. "Where ignorance is bliss, 'tis folly to be wise." Let's insist again: what would be more important, be an old scholar with all the right answers but lonely, or a guy who only graduated from high school but has a large family, a beloved spouse, and a long list of dear friends? Right knowledge is better than comforting friendship? I'm glad we don't have to choose one in spite of the other.
We can have both.

I guess God is about relationship. Knowledge is just a data in the way.

"For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. 11 More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation."

"knowledge puffs up, but love builds up."

"Love never ends. [...] as for knowledge, it will pass away."

- Bio Nascimento

2010-05-21T19:50:00.000-07:00

Exactly last Friday Christopher Boyce, Ubirajara from SL and myself visited the cutest little town in the interior of Pernambuco. I never seen this little Taquaritinga do Norte, but it's up there in the second highest pick in the state and the average temperature throughout the year is just 18º C. That's awesome for our daily 30-38º C in Recife. Incredible little place to visit. We were visiting little churches in the area, preparing for two ACU interns who will live with us for 2 months, this Summer.

One of them seems to be seriously considering missionary life. Maybe in Brazil? Be in prayer, we're really preparing for these two girls. They will assist our churches this Summer as they get to know the language and the culture. May the Lord Jesus work in their lives.

Shalom to you all,

Bio and Dayse Nascimento

2010-05-03T17:22:00.000-07:00

The Holy Spirit is moving different people at different places. He is raising them to evangelize. There is an urge here among many that evangelism cannot stop. Lost souls cannot go without hearing the Gospel.

Last Saturday I spoke to a youth group from the downtown Church on "I can't shut up!"

Many times the world intimidates us, tell us to shut up, be quite, but can't in face of the great news and truths we hold. Based on Act 4-5 and Eph 6.10-20, we had a good afternoon of conversation and mutual edification about the need to evangelize the lost world.

Please, see some of the pictures below:

http://picasaweb.google.com.br/Bio.Zugzwang/NaoPossoCalar_SeminarioJovemBVista#

2010-04-29T06:57:00.000-07:00

Yasmin is my shy little daughter. Last night during our Prayer Service, while we were collecting prayer requests from the brotherhood, she surprisingly raised her little finger and said, "I have a request—that Brazil may win the World Cup!" Ha, everyone was so opened mouth. That request! Coming from Yasmin???

----------------------------------

In recent years I have noticed an escalating new tread among the churches of Christ I serve and am involved. I have observed among some brothers a desire for power control. Unfortunately some have gone far to the point of losing their own faith. This tread is present in both lay people and clergy. There is a difference though between biblical leadership/ecclesial authority and power control. Biblical leadership has at its core the willingness to serve, to humbly serve, whereas power control is tight domineering. It seeks prestige. It wants to be served. It’s self-serving. Power control is selfish. It doesn’t consider if the neighbor is in need or that he/she thinks different. I believe that this mentality has crept in into Christianity from the political domain. Those after control model from the political environment and atmosphere or maybe from Army lifestyle.
After these models, what kind of leaders shall we become?

Again, just let us not lose focus that at the core of Christianity is humble service. Even the disciples in Mark 10:42-45 (ESV) were tempted to think along with the world in terms of power. But Jesus earnestly reminds them: "You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
Ora et Labora!

2010-04-20T20:08:00.000-07:00

Last Sunday 18 we had our seventh conversion. Filipe (22) was baptized three months after his wife. He is the seventh person to turn his life to Jesus in 2010!

Filipe practiced a common occult Afro religion in Brazil for about two years. He abandoned it, but recently while we were studying the Scriptures, he started having dreams inviting him to return to that old dark path.

On Thursday 22, one of the deacon's son was baptized. He's the eight person! Albert is only 15 but he was very sure of his decision to follow Jesus. His parents were jubilant.

Please, pray that we will take good care of all these spiritual babies. Pray that the enemy won't take away the seed in their hearts.

---------------

Every Saturday morning I'm taking Biblical Hebrew classes at the local State University. It's an attempt to refresh the biblical knowledge I got while at ACU. But the fun part of these classes is that it's ministered in a secular environ by a Catholic Jesuit priest. It's interesting to see how systematic he is in his approach to understand this ancient language. He learned it on his own. He pays attention to every linguistic detail. It reflects his training. However, this ex-priest, I believe, lost sight of the overall picture. The end of studying biblical languages is the message, it's the theology we dig from the text.

Shalom to you all,

Bio and Family

Easter Campaign April 2010

2010-04-05T13:06:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday and Sunday (April 3 and 4) we had our Easter Campaign. It was a blessing. We have 16 contacts who requested visits for prayer, counseling or personal Bible studies. Yesterday we had more than 170 people (adults and children)! Dayse believes we had more than 50 kids. We had a special preacher who brought a powerful message of Reconciliation in Christ. And, at the end of our service I baptized a lady who has been visiting us for a couple months (sorry there is no picture). In addition to that, our Sunday school building construction is progressing. Please, see links below:

http://picasaweb.google.com.br/Bio.Zugzwang/ChurchBuildingConstruction3#

http://picasaweb.google.com.br/Bio.Zugzwang/EasterCampaignApril10#

Tomorrow night Dayse is undergoing surgery (hysterectomy). She is calm and everything seems to be falling into place, but it’s still a surgery. We know this type of surgery can bring later side effects. Pray that the surgical team will do its best. Pray that Dayse’s recovery is complete and smooth. Pray that Dara will understand that mommy is in bed and can’t play for a while! Pray that I will be able to manage her house/ecclesial chores.

I appreciate your prayers on our behalf.

For the King,
Bio, Dayse, and the girls.

2010-03-24T11:22:00.000-07:00

I work with poor people in the outskirts of a large metropolitan area. The church should exist where people are. The landscape is hilly and there are kids everywhere playing soccer. There are bars at every corner and men attend them all day long. Drugs are easy to find and girls show off with minuscule shorts. Creativity lives in the outskirts many times. It's also easy to find cows, donkeys and mutt dogs sharing the roads with horse wagons, buses, cars and trucks. For the surprise of many, you will still see modern and fancy cars of those who got rich but never left their communities. The streets are narrow and full of holes but busy.

Last Saturday afternoon going from one personal Bible study to another, I came to the realization that I'm happy working where I work. I'd rather work here than downtown or at a affluent barrio. Downtown is empty, lifeless, only concrete and businesses. People have no time for God. At a rich barrio, people are sort of lifeless too, they don't need God. What is God for, if money can buy me "anything?" Here people are kind. They smile and wave to you. If you stop and ask about God, the world, and politics, they will chat with you a good while! They are open. One simple logical argument and one open Bible verse will suffice to convince them that there is a God (most of the time, hahaha! Complicated arguments and theories fly over their heads. They are simple. What they want to see your living, your live testimony. And that's enough.

Church Site Construction

2010-03-10T10:44:00.000-08:00

A Historical Marker

Last Sunday (March 6) we opened a new chapter in the history of the Church in São Lourenço.

This church has been blessed with a good growth in the last years. For a good while our current building for worship couldn't accommodate this new generation. Besides, our youth, teens, and children groups never enjoyed a comfortable and spacious place.

Last Sunday we finished, by God's grace, half of the construction of our Sunday school classrooms. There will be room for everyone! Instead of hiring expensive bricklayers, we decided to save money doing ourselves an important part of the construction—the first and second floors. We have in the church many skillful and diligent brothers who were up to the task. It was a weekend of hard work, a lot of sweating under our scorching sun, but also a lots of fellowship and laughter. We finished this part of the mission.

We ask you to please include this major project in your prayers.

We still have to complete this building and start the auditorium, which will be a separate unit.

We dream of completing it all by the end of the year, Lord willing.

Visit the links below and share with us this glorious moment:

http://picasaweb.google.com.br/Bio.Zugzwang/ChurchBuildingConstruction2#

http://picasaweb.google.com.br/Bio.Zugzwang/ChurchBuildingConstruction1#

2010-02-25T17:56:00.000-08:00

It's rather strange to say we're having fun studying Qoheleth (Ecclesiastes).

I know, I know the book is pessimistic, fatalistic, or even hard to find its place in the canon. However, we're having fun! Let me clarify, the class is participating and contributing so well into the study of this OT book that the atmosphere is positive.

See photos below of this current class and "Escola da Bíblia's" headmaster Régis.

Shalom to all of you.

2010-02-11T03:26:00.000-08:00

Week 6

Wow, the year has started faster. So many little things have happened that I didn't have time to post recently. Here are just some quick highlights:

* The girls have started school, in a new school. They are adjusting well. For Hannah and Yasmin, the new school is more demanding, more homework, more work for Dayse at home. Dara has also started schooling this year. She looks so beautiful in uniform!
Later I will post some pictures.

* At the downtown "Escola da Bíblia," I started teaching Ecclesiastes (Qoheleth). This book is challenging at several levels. As the students and I look closely at Qoheleth's pessimism, apparent beliefs, and skepticisms, students start wondering how this book got into the canon and how come it is inspired. Oh, yes, the canon is large enough to accommodate literature for those in despair and disorientation--just like Job and Ecclesiastes. At the end, it's a constructive book. Later I will post some pictures.

* Next week is Carnival here. It's time for people to go ape, naked, and wild in Brazil.
Sorry to say for those reading, the media don't announce anymore official numbers, otherwise, tourism would decline vertically. The church found a nice house out in the boondocks. It will be a good spiritual retreat, we pray. Please, pray for members' safety who won't be able to attend and have to stay, mainly because they have to work during Carnival week. Pray also for the safety of those who will have to commute to the camp retreat. Our team this year is The Holy Spirit in the NT.

*

May God's peace be upon you all.
Bio and Dayse Nascimento

2010-01-27T12:06:00.000-08:00

Week 4

Mozart and Bira, my coworkers in São Lourenço, are on vacation. They sure deserve a good break and time with their families.

[It’s funny that I have perceived from some people in church the misconception that ministers don't need vacation. Some naively think that vacation means our spiritual lives will cease. Others think, sine we are a different type of works (super spiritual), we don’t need vacation. That vacation is a secular concept. That the apostles never had a break or vacation—it’s an unscriptural practice. Maybe they reason that regular members don’t get vacation from their church. But how about a free time to attend different churches and visit distant relatives? It will take some time…] I hope Mozart and Bira have time to rest.

This week we made our donation to those in need in Haiti—water. We bought and delivered 330 bottles of water. It’s not much compared to the humongous need in that poor country. Along with the water, though, come our many prayers from everywhere here in Recife.

"For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased
to make some contribution for the poor among the saints at Jerusalem."

http://picasaweb.google.com.br/Bio.Zugzwang/HaitiAjuda#

2010-01-04T08:03:00.000-08:00

Week 1

What is ministry? Many times I spend good part of my days taking family members, especially my mom, to doctors' visits, and clinics, and hospitals. There are times I think I'm not serving the Lord.
"That this is not my ministry, what I've been called for!"
I think to myself.

Ministry comes from a Greek word (diakonia) that means "service; contribution, help, support; mission" (UBS Greek Dictionary). So, in a lato sensus, when I'm serving or helping people, I'm doing ministry. Ministry goes beyond church members. How have you ministered lately? What is your favorite ministry? Thus, every Christian is a minister, when he does something to someone with the intent of contributing to help.

Shalom upon you!

Visit our Sunday School Classrooms construction:
http://picasaweb.google.com.br/Bio.Zugzwang/ChurchBuildingConstruction#

2009-12-18T02:39:00.000-08:00

Week 51

* The Sunday school building has begun. At the link below you will see the outset of this major project. First we want to build the Sunday school classrooms, then the auditorium, Lord willing. Your prayers are appreciated regarding this major enterprise.

http://picasaweb.google.com.br/Bio.Zugzwang/ChurchBuildingConstruction#

* 2009 Christmas Campaign. This year we didn't collect as many food bags as last year, but enough to bless many families. There were altogether 81 bags. This morning (Saturday 19) we visited two elderly homes. One is run by the city and the second is at the back of lady's house, who on her own took the initiative to host elderly people left on the streets! None supports this second place. There is rewarding feeling when we help others in need.

http://picasaweb.google.com.br/Bio.Zugzwang/NatalDaVida_2009#

* A Privileged View of Recife for those who like panoramic sightseeing. Yesterday was our day off and we took advantage to visit these twin towers still under construction. Supposedly they are the tallest buildings in town and at the heart of the city, right by the sea. From there you can see all the limits of the metropolitan city of Recife. Beautiful! Dayse enjoyed it but with much fear. Check out her pictures at the edge of the top floor.

http://picasaweb.google.com.br/Bio.Zugzwang/TwinTowers_Recife#

2009-12-01T16:28:00.000-08:00

Week 49

Two recent good news to those who ever read my blogs. At least these blogs serve as memoirs of my work in the Lord in Saint Lawrence for the future.

* Josemir was baptized last Sunday morning. We studied the Bible for more than three months. We waited
   for his response and it came in the right time with a strong "Yes!" Last Sunday he was circumcised in Christ
   and had his old man buried.

* The Book of Proverbs class at the downtown "Escola da Bíblia" was the largest I ever had. It's fascinating
   how people have a deep thirst for the Wisdom of the OT sages these days.

http://picasaweb.google.com/Bio.Zugzwang/NovemberNews2009

God's shalom upon you, who visits my page.

2009-11-24T06:50:00.000-08:00

Week 48

* Two weeks ago we had our Men's Seminar. The topic was "Serving God in the Working Place." The number of attendants decreased this year, but on the other hand the interaction and fellowship among the brethren was greater than before! Praise God.
http://picasaweb.google.com/Bio.Zugzwang/MenSSeminar2009#

* This last weekend Mozart, some brothers from São Lourenço, and I visited four churches in the interior of the state. It was a fantastic trip. It was so edifying visiting those brothers. In spite of their church sizes and challenges, they showed much hospitality and love towards us.
May the Lord bless bless their efforts to grow and reach out.
http://picasaweb.google.com/Bio.Zugzwang/Missons_Interior_Nov09#

- QDBV -

2009-11-14T14:21:00.000-08:00

Week 47

Yesterday I spoke at a funeral. but this time it was different. The deceased woman was the mother of one our brothers at São Lourenço. As soon as Dayse and I got at the cemetery, we noticed there were many children. I counted ten children one time. There were present four generations. We questioned to ourselves, should children attend funerals? Should we expose them to the concept of mortality at the age of 10?
On one hand, we thought that was a too traumatic to see the corpse of a loved one that wouldn't ever come back. On the other hand, death as tragic at it is is part of life. Until when should we hide this reality from our children? At what age are they capable of assimilating that this beautiful life, full of beautiful people is yet not so beautiful, and it has an end for us all? Is this a healthy existential experience for such an early age? Too many questions, I know. I admit I don't an answer. I don't have a stance. The children though I saw yesterday screamed aloud. Their screams even left the adults disturbed and uneasy. The moments the casket was closed and finally when it covered with sand were so strong. They screamed, "Don't do it [throw sand]!" "Please, come back!" "Don't do this to her." Of course their understanding of death was still so attached to the physical world. No conception of supernaturalism or spirituality.
When it was all over, funeral and children's commotion, I noticed two boys who were so serene, standing next to me. Like angels. These were the boys of our brother in Christ. They faithfully attend church.

2009-11-04T10:47:00.000-08:00

Week 45

Dara is now allergy free!
Yesterday she drank her first cup of milk, a small portion though. Today she ate milk made cookies. All the tests showed her body overcame her allergy to milk protein and now she can start a slow process of milk intake diet.
We are all so jubilant! Please, thank our God for Dara, that she can now go to parties, eat cookies, have an ice cream, etc. just any other child.

- Thank you for your prayers thorough these years. See Dara with her last special milk cans.

-----------------------------

We say we want to know everything, but we can't know everything. We can't, because first of all our senses are imperfect, second our storage capacity is limited. Of course, some people have sharper and keener senses than others, and a larger memory capacity; but we're still limited.

I realized how this is true when I observed an architectonic feature of this church building below. It has been there for centuries, but only now I could observe the way it is designed in the back---it has three shaped triangles, see?. I lived in this neighborhood until I was 22, but never noticed this obvious feature.

Maybe this is a good argument and reminder that we need to read our Bible versions as often as we can. Have you ever had one of those discovery verses reading your Bible? You wonder, "I have never noticed this verse here! I read this book several times." Well, it has been there for centuries. We need to always reread our Bibles, in different versions, in different languages, and when we think we have known it all, read it again in the originals!

2009-10-25T12:06:00.000-07:00

Week 44

- Last week the church in São Lourenço celebrated our Children's Day (Oct. 17). It was a fun afternoon with approximately 50 kids---most from the church and some from the neighborhood. While trying to take some pictures and give support to our teachers and entertainers, several times it crossed my head that those kids are our future, the church's future, if the Lord doesn't return before. Invest in them is to invest in a stronger church twenty years from now.

Thinking of that we decided to build first the Sunday School complex with seven classrooms. Our kids deserve our best! Building is not all though. Giving them good, healthy memories and solid biblical foundation is far more important.

Check the link below to see pictures of our Children's Day:

http://picasaweb.google.com.br/Bio.Zugzwang/DiaDasCriancasSL_Out2009?feat=directlink

- You know, our girls are growing so fast! Check out latest pictures:

http://picasaweb.google.com.br/Bio.Zugzwang/FamilyOctober2009?feat=directlink

- We are working to offer another Men's Seminar for the churches of Christ in Recife's metropolitan area. The theme for this year is "Serving God in the Working Place." Please, pray we will offer an edifying moment to our brotherhood, a moment to form men in the imagine of our living Lord Jesus.

2009-10-12T06:12:00.003-07:00

Week 42

Today is Children’s Day in Brazil and also Dara’s birthday! She is three years old and so full of life. Sometimes Dayse and I wonder whether we’re getting old for raising kids or Dara came with the energy of a boy.

Last Saturday (10) I performed a wedding for a dear couple of our congregation. I tried to make it romantic and with special wordings. After the ceremony, Yasmin came and said something that really touched my heart. She said, “Dad, when I get married, would you do my wedding?” Hope this is a sign we’re in the right track.

Last week I participated in a men’s conference in São Paulo by Continent of Great Cities. Without a shadow of doubt, this was one of the best, if not the best, conference I ever attended. The main focus was on our emotions. Ministers and missionaries can, jus like everyone else, carry hurts for years. These hurts directly affect their ministry. There was also a strong focus on sexual sins at any degree and on practicing spiritual disciplines, which we hardly hear of in our midst. I congratulate the CGC organizers for their initiative and sponsoring. I congratulate even more for setting the path to an area we among churches of Christ have generally neglected. As a so rationalistic group and right-sided seekers, when is it we pay attention to health emotions that come from a walk with the Lord? Sure enough we need to find the equilibrium between the two God given aspects of our humanity—reason and feelings.

2009-09-28T17:12:00.000-07:00

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)

2009-09-18T18:25:00.000-07:00

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!

2009-09-05T18:20:00.000-07:00

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

2009-08-21T18:49:00.000-07:00

Week 34

Last week I started another course at the "Escola da Bíblia," at the downtown church. This time I am teaching the Book of Psalms. Teaching the Pentateuch was a great experience.
The Torah teaches ethical values that instructs us how to live orderly and how to please God, whereas Psalms teach us how to cry, rejoice, and give thanks. The Psalter is a book of prayer and of tears before the Father, who understands so well our diversity of emotions.
There is a good number of students and some of them haven't found a church to worship.
-- Pray this course will be as fruitful as the past ones.

2009-08-15T19:52:00.000-07:00

Week 33

We had a wonderful couple’s seminar tonight. A fellow missionary with training in family and marriage therapy gave us a good lesson on how respect and cope with the spouse’s differences. Afterwards we had some entertainment and a delicious meal. There were around 30 couples and some were unchurched.

It’s wonderful to see His church active and growing.

Shalom.

2009-08-01T07:46:00.000-07:00

Week 31

This was our last week of vacation. We're missing dearly the church family in São Lourenço!

A couple months ago I participated in the incipient beginning of a small Bible group, that eventually would open for the neighborhood around one of our brother's house. But this time we started that group a little different. We mixed new strategies with old practices. The new strategy is to hand out interesting biblical fliers for eight weeks straight in the same streets by the same church members. At the end the families in those streets would be acquainted with our faces. Then, we would invite them to participate at a small Bible group. At this point we would no longer be strangers to them. That's somewhat the new strategy. It's simple and efficient. The old practice, however, was to have all the participating brothers to pray earnestly before we go out handing out fliers. We prayed for good health, good weather, fierce barking dogs, open doors, warmth responses, safety at night, and our own personal problems that could hinder the progress of the Kingdom. Unfortunately I had to leave the group. Last news I heard after the group started, there were 15 unchurched new guests attending the brother's house!

New strategy accompanied by the old practice of intercessory prayer brings about efficiency and good fruits. Bet on it.

2009-07-15T17:13:00.000-07:00

Week 28

Visiting friends and the Book of Isaiah

Last week I had the opportunity to visit the Oliveira family in Belo Horizonte, Southeast of Brazil. Garibaldi Oliveira was one my best classmates while at ACU. We both discussed all sort of new ideas and perspectives. We debated about the way we've been doing churches in Brazil. We reverently

reflected about our God. Well, this week we met and for hours we did the same thing! His family

among others was God's providence in supporting us while studying in US. During the same visit I had the chance to teach the book of Isaiah at a local training school for the Churches of Christ. Isaiah is such a rich book that it becomes hard to teach. Isaiah's artistic writing style and powerful message makes its teaching on the other hand a great pleasure.

(Tonight as the whole family was coming from a movie theater a young playboy threw his speeding car against us, hit us, and then ran. Thank the good Lord, I was able to regain control of the vehicle! There was only a sli

ght dent on the side.)

Ah, we're on vacation during the month of July.

2009-07-03T16:31:00.000-07:00

Week 25

This week we had our VBS. Dayse and several other women from our church did a tremendous job. For the two last days we had 70 kids! The kids from church and neighborhood played, heard about Jesus, had snakes, and more for approximately three hours. Again, our women did fantastic jobs. We're so proud of them! Some men participated only to offer support.

2009-07-03T16:28:00.000-07:00

Week 24

Thank you to each of you who prayed for my mother. This week she returned to her own apartment. Her staying at the Nursing Home was very good to stabilize her health, especially her high blood pressure. On the other hand, she was getting more and more depressed and forgetful there. She dearly missed her church friends, neighbors and closeness to our family. We thought it was wiser to have her back in order to keep her happy and in good spirits—and she is!
Keep her (Cenira is her name) in your prayers. She is still very forgetful.

“Let your father and mother be glad; let her who bore you rejoice.”

2009-06-19T10:50:00.000-07:00

Week 24

The green family.

At a friend's house our family dressed green. It was our green day for Earth Day. Actually it was just Dayse's idea for the family to take a nice picture. But the idea reminded me of something I studied in the seminary. Theologians try to pinpoint what is the center of the Old Testament theology. Theology books also talk about peripheral theologies, one of many is called Ecotheology. It teaches that we are connected with the natural world and that our actions affects nature, in terms of blessings or curses. There are verses in the Old Testament that demonstrate this symbiotic relationship, for example: Dt 11.10-17; 22.6-7; 28.12a, 23-24; Os 4.1-3. The God of Israel is Lord over nature and over us. No wonder why nature and I are so connected. We have the same Lord that sustains both. In the movie, “The Day The Earth Stood Still,” Klaatu (Keenu Reeves) says he came to save the earth from mankind. If man dies, the whole earth survives. This is a very contemporary ecological thought. We are destroying the earth. It makes some sense. Remember however, Jesus came to save man instead. Our Klaatu came to save mankind, so that man could survive—and earth too.

2009-06-11T18:57:00.000-07:00

Week 23

I don’t know if Herbert Spencer’s axiom “The Survival of the Fittest” is true to evolution in the animal kingdom. Yet, it sounds so true in the city jungle. It’s the urban survival of the fittest. In the city of Recife there is a hierarchical kingdom on the roads—the massive trucks don’t respect the buses, the buses don’t respect the cars, the cars don’t care about the motorcycles, the motorcycles don’t respect the bicycles. If you’re the pedestrian, watch out, you’re the weakest! It’s different in other countries, I know. Some are very orderly, others are totally chaotic. It’s mean and stressful. It’s dangerous and cunning. Here we are more toward anarchy. How’s the Christian to survive in such jungles?
“Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.”

2009-06-04T17:11:00.000-07:00

Week 22

The 2014 Soccer World Cup will be in Brazil!
Unlike baseball or football, soccer moves nations. It’s an international sport. Among the many cities where teams will play, Recife was selected. São Lourenço (Saint Lawrence) is part of the metropolitan area of Recife and it’s where we serve the Lord’s Kingdom. But guess what? São Lourenço (SL) will host some of the games. The city will even build its own stadium and a village to accommodate the players. It’s great for the city and I pray will be great for the growth of the Church. Nevertheless, the irony of all this is that SL has some of the most undeveloped places in the metropolitan area. The city’s hospital is less than a clinic. The schools are in bad shape and students miss classes because there are no teachers. Many are the roads unpaved and areas of danger during the raining season. Yet, we will host world soccer games! Politicians want sudden development. Last Sunday there was a huge party to announce the news—“Bread and Circuses” (panem et circenses).
“You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

2009-05-23T09:58:00.000-07:00

Week 21

When the humane enters the divine. Rob Bell makes an excellent and true point that “Everything is Spiritual.” He points out that behind everything big and small science has discovered the finger of God. Science has discovered the complexity of a Big Mind. Science is starting to think outside the box. It’s a very good movie/lecture to watch. In my readings of the Book of Daniel I have somehow noticed the opposite—the material and mundane can’t meet the spiritual and divine. Every time Daniel had a spiritual contact he collapsed and fell sick. For example: “The vision of the evenings and the mornings that has been told is true, but seal up the vision, for it refers to many days from now." And I, Daniel, was overcome and lay sick for some days. Then I rose and went about the king's business, but I was appalled by the vision and did not understand it” (8:26-27; see also Dn 8.17-18, 27; 9.21; 10.7-11, 15-18). It seems to be the opposite of Rob Bell’s point, as if the divine and the humane are two realities that can’t meet. Human beings can’t see the Holy and survive the OT states: Is 6.5; Ex 33.20; Jd 6.22; 13.22; Job 42.5. I think then it is no surprise that we can’t see the spirituality behind the material and mundane. We have to learn to transcend the body to be able to “see” the spiritual world. For some of us it will only be possible when we put on the new body. For some others will faint, like Daniel. And for a few others, they will be able to see and live. Very few ones.

2009-05-12T18:46:00.000-07:00

Week 20

A week ago, my mother fell in her apartment. Hours later the neighbors noticed she didn’t open the door that morning and called me. I ran there expecting the worst. She is 80 years old. She was alive but had been on the floor for almost 10 hours—there were angels guarding her along those hours. She was fine, no broken bones and no internal traumas. We had to find a new home for her, an elderly home, where people would take care of her 24/7. That was a hard decision to take; Dayse was taking such a good care of her. The good Lord led me to very good elderly home. Today her blood pressure is stable, she walks better and her emotional attitude is positive. Throughout this week I couldn’t help to stop thinking about the meaning and implications of “Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God commanded you, that your days may be long, and that it may go well with you in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.” Thank you ever so much to all those who prayed for us. And, may the Lord bless our parents.

Still in the same week, I had the opportunity to speak to a group of local servant-leaders about the many different translations we have in Portuguese. Our “João Ferreira de Almeida” translation (1654) is as old and traditional as the English KJV. Yet, I explained about the different philosophies behind translations we have now and the advantages of using these new Portuguese translations.

2009-04-30T05:44:00.001-07:00

Week 19

What's more important in ministry, your family's salvation or people's salvation? Ha! I wish that could be one of those easy answers with a "both." Is it worth saving the whole world and then having your wife and kids gone astray into the world? (“Nenhum sucesso na vida compensa o fracasso do lar.”) Last week I met a missionary couple in their 50’s, I guess. They always had a passion for missionary work but decided to postpone it. Their first priority was raising their children in the ways of the Lord. When the empty nest came, they started missionary work in several missionary fields. Was it worth missing the prior of their years at home and living a regular life? Family is a mission field, too.

2009-04-27T19:43:00.000-07:00

Week 18

I spent the past two weeks with my Christian “extended” family in Texas. My days were busy with visits, many visits---hours of talking about all sorts of subjects. It was edifying after all.

I could visit people I planed to and people I really wished to visit but ended up missing (sorry!). A paragraph couldn’t describe the many good experiences during this furlough, which went by way too fast. Praises to our God!
Nevertheless, visiting my second spiritual home (ACU),

I came to a new place on campus called The Labyrinth, a Christian Labyrinth. It was a cold, raining afternoon, and by myself. This labyrinth was very well designed to teach the idea that our Christian walk is complex, sometimes puzzling and disorienting, but surely it has a beginning and should have an end, if one does not turn astray by missing the Christian virtues along the path. If you have a chance to stop by Abilene, go to ACU Labyrinth and walk on it! Then at the end stop, contemplate, and learn.
http://www.acu.edu/news/2009/090108_labyrinth.html