A Final Word

Those of you who know me, know that there is no such thing as a final word! Once again, I am here in the air conditioned internet cafe, and Seth and Kenny are suffering somewhere in the sky or an airport. I will stay here for an extra week in order to meet with leaders and pastors, have some sit down evaluations, as well as times of encouragement and prayer for future worship leadership conferences and small missions teams. In less than 24 hours I have seen the great benefit of the extra time. Just because the team has gone home, you can't stop praying for me! In days to come, I hope to use my personal blog, so feel free to check it out. Again, thank you friends and family, and thank you, Jesus for the privilege of serving You.

Going Home

To any and all of you who made it possible for these people to be in Brazil for our first ever worship conference, we give a big "Obrigado!" It was a great success. We accomplished all of our goals and so much more. An even bigger

"PRAISE THE LORD!"

is in order. Thanks for all your love and support, and especially your prayers. I hope we can convey somehow when we get back home just how many ways the Lord answered them and blessed us and your Brazilian brothers and sisters. Your partnership with us and them will help so much to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ and to plant churches here in northeastern Brazil. Believe it!

Too much to tell

From top to bottom and left to right (see below):
Today we went to Guadaljara for the Birthday Party For Jesus. What a treat to see so many poor children hear the gospel and receive sacks of gifts from people in the U.S. For many it will be the best part of their Christmas. Thanks to every person who purchased and bagged the gifts, sent money for the party and carried the trunks. We thank the Lord for the blessing of watching them open each one with such excitement...The worship has been glorious and lots of fun. It's been one of those "you had to be there" experiences... Seth has made many new friends, but especially Maninho. He plays several instruments, all very well. The Lord really used the whole team to encourage him in his desire to use his talents the way God intends. Gary Wright preached this morning about being filled with the power of Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Maninho was one of many who stood with tears falling to recommit to a fresh walk with the Lord...The quilting class was a huge success! Sue had at least a dozen women in and out, who not only tied and put binding on two quilts (for the two pastors/wives who recently had babies), but also made bags and purses. You should have seen it! Our worship and music conference became a worship and arts conference...We have made so many wonderful friends. Our goodbyes will be very sad...Seth shared his testimony, focusing on how God has led him to Barclay College to study missions, instead of taking a scholarship to a big school to play music. His new Brazilian friends anxiously gathered around him to lay hands on him and pray that God will bless his fuure...The playground is having the finishing touches put on it as I write. Yesterday we all gathered around it and laid hands on it, too! We asked the Lord to find a way to get it finished. Even I had some doubts about if it would be done before we left. But, God did find a way! A special touch...Kenny had no idea when he bought the canopy that the colors of the Brazil flag are blue, yellow and green. All he could say when we discovered what happened was, "it was a God thing!" The castle wall was built this week by three Brazilian men. Soon there will be a walking bridge from the wooden playground to a castle that will match the wall...Our speaker for the week, Wes Davis was truly annointed for the task here. Everyone was challenged and blessed...There's those crazy sewing ladies again. We had a hard time making them stop!So...what can we say but "Praise the Lord!!!" Two messages with no pictures...Don says hello to Bobbi...and Seth's lips are plum wore out. Look for more pics in the next few days.
Thanks for your patience.

Pictures at last!

Whew!

That and "wow!" are the words that come to mind right now. It's very hot, but nobody is complaining because on the inside of our hearts we are on fire. God has supplied many needs, and is blessing in every way. We are not doing anything new, just singing, worshiping, teaching and making friends with the Brazilians (a few 20-30 year olds, and a whole bunch of 15-20's), but in those things God is doing a great work. Your prayers are being answered. We are moving ahead in this conference with a bare-bones schedule that is constantly changing, but what is happening among us is truly something special, and God is using every North American to minister to the South Americans. In the process we are being ministered to big time! What a treat. Thank you for praying. Your prayers are making it possible. God bless you all. Is anyone out there reading our blogs? Very little response. But that's okay. Just know we are doing more than well.

Just a quick note...

It's very late, and we have had a full day. Everything came together so well today. I could not begin to tell you how blessed we have been. Seven women came to Sue Brawner's quilting class and had a ball. This could end up being a dynamic ministry opportunity for these churches. The musicians down here are amazing. They absolutely love Seth, and the ministry of the word by Wes Davis has been just what we all needed. The purpose of the conference is being met. Thanks for praying. Kenny is exhausted. Keep praying for him. There is much more. Don't have time.

The Americans are coming!

After a half hour of trying over and over again, my picture for this morning won't load. Sorry. This a big day. It is 11:00 right now. Tele and I leave in a few moments for Recife to greet the rest of the Americans. We won't be back until at least 6:00. Please pray for our very short time to prepare their weary minds and bodies for the next four days. We have a lot to accomplish, including posting on the blog, which takes a whole lot more time than it should. Please be patient if you don't see anything for several days. That means we have our hands full of ministry - so PRAY FOR US.

TUESDAY PICS

As you can see below, we are either working very hard, or having some fun now and again. Ricardo, who speaks English is Kenny's new best friend. He is making trips to the hardware and lumber yard possible, runs the Brazilian crew, and helps with carpentry. Ricardo was the first convert here many years ago, has successfully planted one church, raised up leaders there and is in the process of planting a second as he pastors both. An amazing man with a wonderful testimony! You should come visit sometime. He'd be glad to share it. What a blessing to work side by side with men of God like him.
Pray that Kenny, Seth and Ricardo can finish what they started! That is Kenny's main concern. My prayer request for the day is that we will all obey the Holy Spirit's leading as we go into this conference "blind" in many respects.

Boa tarde!

Good afternoon! We are learning some Portuguese, and so are you. If you like that, you can say, "obrigado" ( a male saying "thank you") or "obrigada" ( a female saying, "thank you"). Once again, I am here in the air-conditioned internet cafe, while Kenny and Seth are "sweatin' for Jesus" over at the seminary. This cafe is a miracle from God - a long story I can't go into here. World Renewal Brazil owns and operates it first and foremost as a place of ministry.

As I sit at my terminal I look out of a 4'x16' window to the world of Carpina, on a heavily trafficed road, connected to a very busy gas station (complete with 15 fully uniformed employees who wait on each customer's every need!). People who come in here use the internet, contract various printing jobs, hear about Jesus, and help to plant more churches with the profits. What a deal! 70-80,000 people live in Carpina. At most 10% are Christian (most nominal), but within a days drive of here over 400 towns and cities do not have one evangelical church. So, the harvest is ripe in NE Brazil, and that is why WR Brazil exists - to plant churches. At present there are 13.
You can see by today's pics that we are either working hard, ordering lumber and parts for the playground...or once again having a little fun.

Misc...

As I write this, Kenny and Seth are busy finishing the tearout of a good portion of the porch you see them standing on with Heather Moraes, director of the International School. After much talk about size and type of structure, some good Brazilian hardwood is being delivered this afternoon. That makes Kenny happy! This playground will be a big plus in the growth and development of the school. Pray that he will have the time and help he needs to meet his goals. There are four or five Brazilians who are helping, only one of which speaks English. But praise God, progress is being made! I am doing what I can one step at a time to prepare for the conference, which starts Thursday after lunch.

Seth doing his thing. I was so proud of him. He jumped right in and started to play with four guys who speak very little, if any English. Their reaction to his playing is always big smiles and nods of approval. This is Sunday morning at the Acacias Community Church. At night we sang, spoke at Timbauba, about 45 miles away. We arrived late, and I had to coax Seth into joining the band who had already started, but he agreed, and the reaction was just the same - especially from the 10 year old drummer and bass players -big smiles and nods! Kenny's testimonies were a great blessing in each service. I did "Zacheus" without being able to check the sound or the powerpoint in Portuguese. The Lord helped us all to be a blessing, and to be blessed beyond words. All of these guys play most of these instruments very well - amazing! And my new Martin guitar is a big hit. It has spent more time in other people's hands than my own - another blessing from God!

See what I have to put up with! The guys affectionately call me "Dad" and Seth is "Bones." We haven't figured out a good name for Kenny yet. They are both like a couple of giggly junior high girls. What else is there to do all night on an airplane but have a good time? Truthfully, our fellowship has been good, and we really feel like a team. I see the Lord using Kenny and Seth as they do such a good job of making friends and relating to people. They are making this trip so easy for me. Their love and support means a lot.

How to Leave Comments

For some reason I can't seem to coax this blogger system into showing the "Post a Comment" and the end of each posting when viewing the main page. However, if you click on the underlined title of the blog posting (e.g. Bom Dia!) it will bring up only that posting and at the bottom will be a place to leave comments.
Enjoy....

Bom Dia!

Good Morning. A quick update. We are here! Arrived only one and a half hour late on Saturday. Not much sleep on the plane. We participated in two worship services yesterday. Seth and I played and sang. Kenny gave his testimony. They are doing a great job, and the Lord is really using them to bring encouragement and blessing. Your prayers make a big difference. I see the Lord answering them at every turn. Preparation for the conference is underway, and momentum is building. I know the Lord has some special things in store for us. The people here thank us over and over again for coming. So, thank you for sending us with your love and your prayers.
We hope to send pictures later in the day. Kenny will get started this morning on the playground. It is a big project. Pray for wisdom. Seth will help him today, and he and I will keep doing the things we need to do to get ready for the weekend.

God bless you!

Photos of Team

Sue Brawner and Frank Penna

Kenny Smith

Seth Binford

Wes Davis

Gary Wright

Don Curts

Dan Downer

Updated Travel Itenery

Frank, Kenny, and Seth have the following flight schedule:

• 12/01, 7:05 am Leave Wichita to Atlanta
• 12/01, 12:33 pm Leave Atlanta to Miami
• 12/01, 7:30 pm Leave Miami to Sao Paulo
• 12/02, 9:05 am Leave Sao Paulo to Recife
  
  Return Home Trip....
  
• 12/11, 4:00 pm Leave Recife to Sao Paulo
• 12/11, 11:55 pm Leave Sao Paulo to Miami
• 12/12, 8:05 am Leave Miami to Atlanta
• 12/12, 11:06 am Leave Atlanta to Wichita (AirTran flight 683)
  

Some of the pastors and leaders we will meet in Brazil

TEAM MEMBERS (Where we're from, some of what we'll do in Brazil):

Seth Binford (Wichita, KS) - High school senior, saxaphone player
Sue Brawner (Arvada, CO) - Keyboards and quilting classes
Don Curts (Greenfield, IN) - Bass guitar and seminars on "The Artists' Heart"
Wes Davis (Riverton, KS) - Senior Pastor, Stoa Teaching Ministry, Main Session Speaker
Dan Downer (Greenfield, IN) - Media and Tech support for WRI, media seminars
Frank Penna (Wichita) - WRI Worship Team Director, guitar/vocals, seminar speaker
Kenny Smith (Wichita) - Master Carpenter, building playground equipment
Gary Wright (Greenfield, IN) - President of World Renewal International, seminar speaker


OUR PURPOSE/GOALS are to:

1. Worship the Lord with the Brazilians
2. Offer training, teaching, and encouragement
3. Take any ministry opportunities the Lord provides (street evangelism, Birthday Party for Jesus, etc)
4. Build a good foundation for future worship conferences

ITINERARY/SCHEDULE

Seth, Frank and Kenny
- Depart Wichita 6:07 am FRIDAY, Dec 2, through Chicago, Miami, Sao Paulo and Recife
- Arrive Recife 11:00 a.m. Sat Dec 2 (8:00 a.m. Wichita time)
- Travel to Carpina, headquarters for World Renewal Brazil, Northeastern Seminary (30+ Bible
college students) and the International School (3-6 grade)

SATURDAY, Dec 2
- Afternoon shopping for playground equipment and potential future musical instruments
- Possible street ministry/music
- Evening - Rest!

SUNDAY, Dec 3
- Sing and play at Carpina and Ameixas churches
- Begin plan for building playground equipment
- Possible street ministry/music in evening

MONDAY, Dec 4
- Begin playground project
- Work on Conference details
- Visit 1 or 2 churches/pastors/leaders
- Evening street ministry/music

TUESDAY, Dec 5
- Remaining team members leave Denver, Wichita and Indianpolis headed for Miami, etc.
- Continue playground, conference work
- Visit 1 or 2 churches/pastors/leaders
- Evening rest

WEDNESDAY, Dec. 6
- Playground
- Travel to Recife (50 miles) to meet other team members/Brazilians
Gary, Wes, Sue, Don, Dan, two Christmas Couriers from Indiana (?)
- Evening music practice/preparation for conference

THURSDAY, Dec 7
- Playground
- Morning preparation for conference
- "with ever increasing glory..." Worship Conference begins after lunch

FRIDAY, Dec 8
- Playground
- "with ever increasing glory..." Conference morning, afternoon and evening

SATURDAY, Dec 9
- Playground
- "with ever increasing glory..." Worship Conference ends at noon
- Afternoon - Birthday Party for Jesus (?)
- Evening in Recife for meal together

SUNDAY, Dec 10
- Visit various area churches

MONDAY, Dec 11 - Leave for home

TUESDAY, Dec 12 - Arrive home!