David gave a description of the day-today, so how about a description of the church? Osias is one of the pastors of a local church, and our week is colored by fellowship and meetings. Every day somebody´s over to hang out or watch a World Cup game or for some other reason. Several home groups meet at various times and places. Sunday morning meetings are either nearby in Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro, or half an hour away in Jacarepeguá—this makes it easier for the 350 church members spread about Rio to meet. I learned more last year about the importance of greeting other believers, getting to know them, sharing lives with them—and these guys excel in all these areas.

Every other Wednesday (or every?) a group goes to a nearby plaza to evangelize. Tonight, for example, about eleven of us went out and ended up conversing and praying with a man and woman. I was provoked by, well, how comfortable these witnesses were to talk lovingly but unambiguously about that precious gospel. I could only understand 20% of the conversation—but a few sentences Ingrid said to the woman came to me loud and clear—those few sentences about how God sent his only son as a sacrifice for our sins, to save us and give us new life.

And isn´t it amazing? The God here is the same God there. The gospel I heard in the United States is the same one transforming lives in Brasil.




Dave and I couldn´t quite syncronize.


Dave meets Mister Shake. And is conquered by him.

All this was last Sunday night at Chaika, a classic hang-out eatery in Ipanema--now one my top-five favorite places to eat. I´ll try to post a couple more pictures in the next couple days. . . . até mais!