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Brazil was an amazing experience. I arrived in Rio de Janeiro and then
flew an hour north to the city of Vitoria. I did not realize that Brazil is
actually an hour ahead of our time in Georgia. Thus, the flight to Brazil
did not involve any jet lag because of time changes. It was just a long
nine and a half hour flight. As I flew over the mountainous countryside,
I was struck by the awesome beauty of the rolling, old mountains
covered in dense vegetation and sparsely populated regions. Upon
landing at the beautiful coastal cities of Vitoria and Villa Vella, it
became apparent that large concentrations of people pack the coastline.
These two cities would be our base of operations for the trip.

Pam Kitchens was the missionary who was instrumental in setting up
the trip and my opportunity to teach at the seminary in Vitoria. Pam is
the founder of Missions of Integrity. We both spoke of how amazing it
was that God would take two childhood friends from a small rural
Georgia town, separate them for years and then bring them back
together to minister in a foreign country. I suppose the lesson is clear:
never underestimate the design and plan of God. Pam recently
graduated from LRU with her Doctor of Ministry degree, and I was her
advisor. Pam’s ministry in Brazil centers on church planting and
constructing first unit buildings for beginning congregations. I
commend her ministry to you. www.missionsofintegrity.org

Teaching at CETEBES was a delightful experience. The students were
bright and eager to learn. Teaching through an interpreter is always a
challenge. However, the Lord blessed, and my interpreter was able to
translate my “Southern” into Portuguese. We had over 80 students in
attendance each night. They were extremely responsive to the Following-
Leader material. In addition, I was able to preach in two churches and
speak to over 50 Baptist pastors. I have received an invitation from the
school to return November 2009 to teach Practical Pastoral Theology.

The picture above is that of the famous Christ statue that stands on a
mountain dominating the skyline of Rio de Janeiro. After ministering in Brazil,
my heart is moved with gratitude at the opportunity to train indigenous pastors
to reach their own people so that Christ can become not only just a statue on a
mountain, but a living Savior in their hearts. Thank you for partnering with us
as God continues to open more and more doors of ministry opportunities.
We love you all.

For more Brazil pictures click here