Outreaching Is Essential

What a wonderful weekend we had sharing the Gospel.  Please come back to read what God did this past weekend at the Park!

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A Voice Crying in the Wilderness
from the Commentary on Isaiah by Eusebius of Caesarea, 260-340 A.D.

 

‘The voice of one crying in the wilderness, prepare the way of the Lord, make straight the paths of our God’.  This makes clear that the events spoken of in the prophecy are to take place not in Jerusalem, but in the wilderness.  By this is meant that the glory of the Lord will appear, and the salvation of God will be made known to all flesh. 

This prophecy was fulfilled historically and literally, when John the Baptist preached the saving advent of God, in the wilderness by the Jordan, where the salvation of God was in fact seen.  For Christ and his glory became known to all when, after he had been baptized, the heavens were opened, and the Holy Spirit came down under the appearance of a dove, and rested upon him. This was the Father’s voice heard in testimony to the Son: ‘This is my Son, my Beloved; listen to him!’ .

These things were said because God was about to come to the wilderness which had been impenetrable and inaccessible for a whole age.  For all the nations were empty of the knowledge of God: access to them had been prohibited to all the men of God and the prophets. 

That was why that voice ordered a way to be prepared for the Word of God, and the pathless and rugged wastelands leveled, so that at his coming, our God might find the road clear for his advance.  ‘Prepare the way of he Lord’: this is the Gospel preaching, the new consolation, the ardent desire that the salvation of god come to the knowledge of all men.

‘Get up to a high mountain, O herald of good tidings to Zion,
lift up your voice with strength, O herald of good tidings to Jerusalem’

These words fit in very well with the meaning of our first quotation.  They make an appropriate reference to the preachers of the Gospel, and announce the coming of God among men, after we have heard of the voice crying in the wilderness.  It is fitting that after the prophecy about John the Baptist, the preachers of good tidings be mentioned.

Who then is this Zion, except she who earlier was called Jerusalem?  For she too is a mountain, according to that passage of scripture, ‘The mountain of Zion, where you made your dwelling’, and the Apostle says, ‘You have come to Mount Zion’.  Does this perhaps refer to the band of apostles, chosen from among the former people of the circumcision? 

This Zion and Jerusalem is she who receives the salvation of God.  She herself is placed on high on the mountain of God, that is on his Only-begotten Word.  To her he gives the command to get up on a high mountain, and preach the word of salvation.  But who preaches the good tidings, if not the band of those who make the Gospel known?  And what is meant by making the Gospel known?  Preaching to all mankind the coming of Christ on earth, and preaching it first to the cities of Judah. 
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And now this is the revelation of our age, that we must further level the mountains and hills that remain.  That until Christ returns, preach to every creature, the good news of His redemption which is available to everyone who is willing to request forgiveness of sin. . . . . . .

Second Bible Study: Two Saved

We had our second Bible study today with two visitors showing up and both gave their lives to Jesus! Praise the Lord!!!

My wife and I managed to do some song service music together along with my kids.  It was difficult at first but we managed to create an atmosphere of worship that God could move in.  God is so wonderful to us.

There were some people missing, but we are not going to give up on them.  Please pray for us as we try to break ground in this wonderful country.

1 Timothy 6:12 - Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. ESV

Words of Wisdom

In Brazil, people don't make a lot of money.  The average wage earner in our city makes about R$1,500 to R$2000 Reals a month.  That's about $633 to $844 USD.  This isn't bad considering other countries where the average is about $30 to $70 USD a month.  What hurts Brazilian people the most is that the cost of living is very high.  Most people in Brazil live on credit.  Payments that can be made over a period of time.  You can make payments on virtually anything (clothing, electronics, food).  Unlike the U.S., where Americans are guaranteed a minimum wage, housing and food benefits, not to mention a free cell phone, most Brazilians cannot pay the high price of goods. Everything is payed in payments.  You can pay a partial payment, short span payments, like 6 to 10 payments per month, until paid in full.  This is because of the high taxes on goods.

Think about it, if you were making R$1500 to R$2000 Reals a month, and your house or apartment is R$1200 Reals a month, electricity is R$125 a month, plus you have to pay water and gas, groceries, fuel for your vehicle . . . you get the picture.  Things add up pretty quickly.  Most people have extended families living with them to make ends meet.  It's not too different from the states, but when you consider the cost of goods over here you will understand why people must live in a payment plan lifestyle.

Brazil does have a type of welfare system, but most Brazilians cannot live off the system that's in place.  It's just not enough.  If you can't work, the government gives you about $R600 and that's it.  Medical is free but you have to eat, buy clothing, and if you have kids, things for school.  So you are going to have to find a way to make more money.  Clothing here is expensive.  Well, everything is expensive.  There are no thrift stores in Joinville.  I wish there were.

Clothing made in Brazil can cost anywhere from R$30 to $R50 for a polo shirt of thin material.  Sneakers cost around R$70 to R$150.  And women's clothes,  forget it!  For a printed blouse you can expect to pay anywhere from R$35 to R$100 made of thin material!  And to remind you, this is all made in Brazil.  So how can one afford to live in such a high cost of living!  Well, you find a way.


Let me add this disclaimer, begging is rare,  at least in Joinville.  People here get creative to make ends meet.  They will sell crafts, juggle on the streets, or like my friend, who makes some of the most beautiful wire artwork, bend wire and create wire art of ants, spiders, scorpions, and my favorite, "Le Penseur", translated "The Thinker".

Meeting him was a true joy.  He spotted us while we were walking downtown looking for stuff for the apartment.  I noticed the artwork while walking down the sidewalk.  I was amazed on how well his pieces were made.  Then he started telling us that he noticed we were different from many of the families who walk down his path.  He said that he could see that we were a close nit family because of the way we were walking together and having conversation with each other.  "Very rare!" he said.

Then he started asking me if I heard about the ant in Proverbs 6:6.  "The Bible says", he started saying, "Look to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise!"  Then he asked if we knew why God says to look to the ant.  He goes on to recite verses 7&8.  "It has no guide, overseer, or ruler, yet it stores its provision in the summer, and gathers its food in the harvest."  "God meant for people to be productive and not be lazy."  "God blesses hard work."  What words of wisdom.

 
He went on to say how there is a God in Heaven who loves us.  We invited him to our home Bible study.  He was very happy and so grateful for this invitation.  I do hope he comes.  Please pray for him.  Brazilian people are very resilient and resourceful.  Most don't take handouts.  They believe in hard work.  God can use these kind of people.  And he will.  Please pray for them.  I call them "Street Artist's."  We are working with a few of them.  Telling them about the love of the Savior.  Many of them have been written off by the religious world.  But God is faithful and loves them.  Please pray for them to come to know Jesus!       

Our Story

Our First Bible Study

We had our first Bible Study on Friday night the 14th of this month. I made some flyer's, old school, and gave them to the people whom we've met since we've been here.   That's over 20 people.  We also invited some teenagers that we met at the park.  That's over 25, actually.  There was one kid that spoke English and I challenged him to come to interpret. He said, "Cool!"  We had lots of responses.  We also had one text from a young guy named Nathan who texts, "I would love to come."

Well, I got ready. My wife and I bought refreshments and a dry eraser board. And wouldn't you know it, no one showed up.  But we still had Bible study.  I thought, "I can still put in some practice."  It went great!  My kids were impressed.  Their so cool!  My wife said, "It was a good idea to still have a family Bible study."  It's always good to show kids, especially yours, that the "Show Must Go On."

Now, not to make excuses, their were people who did want to come, but were getting out of work late, traveling, parent issues, couldn't get a ride, you know.  This has cause me to rethink time and day for the next study.

On Sundays everything is closed.  So I'm going to reschedule Bible study on Sunday nights at 6PM.  This will be a good transition solution when we start actual services.


Things like this happen and you can't expect quick results all the time.  Though we all wish it would.  But doing a work for God takes a lot of work.  Diligent work!  Please pray for us.

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Come back for a post I'll call,
"The Worst Day In Brazil."