We have been counting down our return by the number of “sleeps” we have in Aracaju. We have only one more tonight and then we begin our trip. We had a good day of meetings yesterday and great fellowship with some of the leaders in the church last night. I’m still struck by the friendliness of the people here and only wish we could communicate better. We finished our meetings today and will spend tomorrow getting ready to leave and visiting the market. I’m ready to go so pray that our flights work out and we make it back OK.

The pictures attached are: lunch after church on Sunday with several church leaders and missionaries, Randy next to cashew fruit, Everett preaching on Sunday and me teaching on Sunday.

We have been counting down our return by the number of “sleeps” we have in Aracaju. We have only one more tonight and then we begin our trip. We had a good day of meetings yesterday and great fellowship with some of the leaders in the church last night. I’m still struck by the friendliness of the people here and only wish we could communicate better. We finished our meetings today and will spend tomorrow getting ready to leave and visiting the market. I’m ready to go so pray that our flights work out and we make it back OK.

The pictures attached are: lunch after church on Sunday with several church leaders and missionaries and Randy next to cashew fruit.

What an invigorating and exhausting day. It started very early (4:15 Texas time) and lasted several hours. Church in Aracaju was uplifting. The brethren love to sing and have such joy. It was great to see their smiles and receive their hugs and good wishes. After church there was a graduation ceremony for 7 students who completed the School of the Bible course. Then we had lucnh with several members of the church at a nearby restaurant with more fellowship and joy in getting to know some of our brothers and sisters better. Many of them seem surprised that I remembered them from our previous trip and I hope to explain to them before we leave that they had a profound impact on me.

After lunch Randy, Angela, Everett, Idalicio and I loaded up in Randy’s little Fiat and headed to Malahdor to meet with the church there. Today, 9 members were present and we met in a school room they use. Everyone there was related to each other so we joked about it being a real church “family.” Afterwards, we were invited to Senor Antonio’s house and farm. He grows a root that they make flour from and use in many foods. The root is poisonous unless processed properly so I was able to see their setup. It is not very mechanized and during their harvest, they work from 5am to 7pm 5 days a week. I was also able to see a kaju (cashew) tree. I had forgotten that cashews were also poisonous until processed. I ate jocku fruit (not so great) and watermelon (not very sweet) and saw many beautiful plants and other fruit trees. They insisted we stay for dinner and were so hospitable.

Driving to Malahdor and back, I saw more poverty. Small, small homes with dirt floors and drapes for doors. It is sad to see the conditions so many live in yet the Brazilians seem to be fairly enterprising people and ever friendly.

We are finishing the night with Everett and an exploding shower door. As he was getting out of the shower, the door shattered and glass is everywhere including in his hands and arms. It is quite a mess and we are waiting for someone to come up – hopefully someone we can communicate with.

I am worn out after today but have been edified. I thank God for this time. It is hard for me and my family at home but it is a tremendous time that strengthens my faith and my desire to serve the Almighty.

We are preparing to head out for church in just a little while. Yesterday was spent with Randy in meetings discussing the past experience and future plans for the church. It was a good day but we have so much more to do. Today is packed with church (I’m teaching class and Everett is preaching), a graduation ceremony for students from the School of the Bible, a lunch with small group leaders at the church and then we head off to Malyador (about an hour away) for church service and time visiting with the people at that church. Malyador is a church that grew from the work at the School of the Bible and has even hosted a School of the Bible class in their church.

None of these buildings have a/c so I am praying that I will make through without too much trouble. I saw another Santa at the Jardins mall last night. The material for his outfit was odd looking but I think something to help keep him cooler.

I hated to hear the Eagles lost Friday in such a heartbreaker. I wanted the team to win but especially hoped good things for my friend Kyle. He’s a great guy with an incredible heart and I hurt for him. Boyd won so we will be following one team a bit deeper into the playoffs. It must be good luck from the waterboy!

I’ll try to write more tonight when we get back.

We arrived yesterday very tired and weary. About 20 members of the church were awaiting us at the airport when we arrived. It was great to see their smiling faces and receive their welcoming hugs. The ever-present language barrier is overcome through the looks on their faces and the warm feeling you receive from them.

We got to the hotel, unloaded our things and grabbed some lunch at the mall. I didn’t expect to see Santa wandering around but there he was. The mall is ringed with icicle lights on the outside which is a little humorous considering the weather here now (hot and humid). We finally got some sleep which was a wonderful thing.

Today we begin meeting with Randy spending time evaluating what has happened over the past 4 years and where we go from here. It will be long days of discussion, thought and prayer. We will also meet with the Ledbetters and some of the church members during the week. Tomorrow we will meet for church and also go to Malyador to meet with another small congregation that has been started through the efforts in Aracaju.

Keep us in your prayers.

I’ve always enjoyed westerns and always like hearing the lines like I used in the title. If you know me though, you know I avoid riding at sun up whenever possible. Fortunately, we fly out around 3:00 tomorrow afternoon which gives me a little time to pack in the morning (because I just can’t seem to get it all together yet) and have lunch with my wife before getting to the airport.

Today is 40-something and rainy. I’m going to 90 and humid. It’s two different worlds, two different languages and cultures but we are there to be focused on one thing. I am looking forward to being with Randy and so many others in Aracaju who made a profound impact on me. At the same time, I am sad to be leaving my family behind even for a week.

I will do my best to blog a little while I’m there. We will mainly spend our time in meetings so it won’t be too exciting but I’ll try to keep you posted.

Keep praying!

I had a good idea for a blog last night and really, really wish I could remember what it is today. It’s just gone. I had crafted the blog in my mind and today, “poof”, there is nothing there blog worthy.
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Basketball starts tonight. I’m coaching several 5th graders and the intensity level goes up a few notches. The rules are almost like real basketball with full court presses, steals anywhere on the court and all the fun stuff. We are behind some of our counterparts on practice time so it will be interesting to see how we progress. It’s also the first year that we don’t have to play all players equal amounts. I’m wrestling with that as I want to let everyone play and grow but I also want to be competitive and win a few.
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Just a couple of days until flying off to Brazil. Keep Everett and me in your prayers please.
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Chili dog man, consider that while my arms may seem shorter than yours, my shoulders are also 4 inches or so above yours. I realize I need 5 foot long arms to appease you but it’s just not practical.

Yesterday’s Bible study was the parable of the good Samaritan, a story we’ve all heard. As I heard it again, I thought of it as story that I know and love but easily forget as I approach the world. Do I really stop to help my neighbor? Sure, I’d stop and help my Christian brother…if I don’t have anything else planned. Sure, I’ll help the guy across the street…if it wasn’t raining. Sure, I’ll help the individual who would do me harm…if I didn’t hope some bad things would happen to him.

The story starts with the greatest command, to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. The second is like it, love your neighbor as yourself.

I am constantly reminded, because of my own failings, that if I were to show the love that I receive from God to those around me, the world would be an infinitely better place. What if everyone showed each other the love God shows us? What if everyone showed the patience and forgiveness that God shows us? Would we harbor ill feelings against people who have wrong us? Would we be more thoughtful of those who need us? Would our hearts feel more peace and our actions show more joy?

God, give me the strength to love like you love, to be patient as you are patient and to forgive like you forgive. Give me the courage to be more like Christ every moment.

For some reason I haven’t been able to log on for two days. Technology can be very frustrating.
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My trip to Brazil is rapidly approaching as I keep thinking of and forgetting things I need to do before leaving. Please keep me in your prayers that I will navigate the next few days with some level of sanity, that the trip will be safe and most of all, that God will be glorified in Brazil with the work we do.
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I’ve been reflecting of late about another journey I am making. I grew up “in church” and have always known God and what I should do yet looking back, I feel like I only knew those things at an intellectual level and did not experience it at an emotional and spiritual level. Over the past few years, I think I have truly come to know God much more intimately. It has been a journey that has led me to more peace, more hope and more understanding for how loving God is if we allow Him to live in us and through us. I now know and feel God’s mercy and grace for a sinner like me and I feel it at the core of my being.

I know my journey has miles and miles to go yet they are miles I look forward to traveling with great anticipation.

Thanks to Rick and Dennis for your comments. I appreciate your thoughts.
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Today is election day (unless you voted last week like I did) and tonight I’m sitting in front of the TV waiting for the results. I’ve been very interested in politics over the last few years and even had a buried interest at one time of being a participant in the process. Over the last two or three years, I have become jaded to the process and have lost a great deal of trust in people who are in the political arena. I’ve seen good people who I feel gave in to pressure from bigger interests and I’ve seen others who have left the arena before giving in. Until there is a major change in how the campaign process works, I don’t think there will ever be an improvement in the political landscape.
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I get to come home tomorrow. Two nights away is about all I can take. I’m thankful for my wife and her ability to keep everything going when I’m away. I hope my children behave extra good when I’m gone and am thankful when they do. I miss being home and look forward to being there sometime tomorrow.