On day 4 we made the 3 hour drive to Aguas de Lindoia for the conference of the Association of Biblical Counselors of Brazil. Now for Brent's perspective ...
Today we spent traveling inward to a mountain city known for its mineral springs. I don't know if we will have a chance to check out those springs or not. The drive to the mountains was really beautiful. Eucalyptus trees covered the rolling green hills as we twisted our way upward through the many curvy roads. Our team enjoyed good fellowship along the way.
We are staying at this hotel. I believe this link shows you where we are in Brazil:
Tonight the conference started. We have met up with FBC missionaries, Randy Richner and Bill Moore. Dan Wickert spoke on counseling individuals with medical diagnoses. Steve spoke on Developing a counseling center in your local church and helping your church develop a heart for counseling. I speak tomorrow on the heart to all 250 people here.
It seems as if fewer people have any knowledge of English the further we get a way from the big city.
I have not been exposed to any weird foods today. Had some great fish at lunch and a lot a good fresh fruit throughout the day. That's about it for today. Heading off to bed. ... Brent
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Brazil 2011 Days 3 from Brent's perspective
Before Brent's perspective, we all have enjoyed the food and fellowship of the brothers here. Steve, Dan and I all had a wonderful time in the worship service Sunday night in Brother Flavio's church, Faith Baptist Church of Sao Jose.
Now for Brent's perspective ...
I have learned the Brazilian phrase for "What is this?" So, whenever I am with Sacha and Anna and Pedro (their 2 year old), I point to something and ask Pedro, "What is this?" I figure that is what my children did to me to learn the language of English, so that is what I am doing to 2-yr old Pedro to learn some Portugese. I have learned the words for airplane, penguin (the easiest one--it is just "penguin") up, down, shoe, hand, milk, juice, and water, cup. I will be good shape if i ever need some milk in a sippy cup in Brazil and a toy penguin. :)
Last night, our Brazillian hosts took us out to a Brazillian Pizza place called Goldens. This was not a pizza "joint" but a very fancy restaraunt. Customers don't simply order a pizza and share it. The waitors constantly visit the tables with different pizza's and ask if you want a slice. With each different visit by the waitors (which occured about every 30 seconds), our Brazilian host had to explain to us what each type of pizza was. Among the selections were Filet Mignon Pizza (Pastor Viar's favorite), Broccili and Cheese Pizza, 4 cheese pizza, 5 cheeze pizza, Mozzarella pizza, Sun dried tomato pizza, the classic pepperoni pizza and so many more that I can't remember. When we finished with the main course of pizza, we then proceeded to the dessert--more pizza! They brought strawberry ice cream pizza, chocolate ice cream pizza, just chocolate pizza, white chocalate pizza, guava pizza, Strawberry and chocolate pizza, and many more that I again can't remember. Apart from those amazing pizza dishes, a salad bar was included having some uniuqe selections. Apparently a really expensive delicacy in Brazil is "the heart of palm trees." As I understand this food, within the center of certain palm trees is a substance that when prepared had the texture and color of something like tofu but was in a cylinder shape. To me it did not have much flavor. I had some tiny boiled eggs that come from a little bird. The eggs taste like boiled chicken eggs but they are not bigger than a quarter.
This morning Pastor Viars and I taught in Sacha's (Alexandre Mendes ) church. David Selvey and Dan Wickert were at another church. Sacha was one of the top graduates from our first seminary class. I spoke on our purpose in life--being the visible representative of the invisible God. Pastor Viars spoke on the beauty of God's grace. The two topics complimented each other very well despite the fact that Steve and I did not plan it. The Brazillian believers were very receptive. For me, I typically do a lot more interaction with the audience when I am teaching. Obviously that is a challenge in a different language. But with Sacha as the translator, I believe God enabled us to overcome some of the curse of the tower of Babel and minister God's word effective. The Brazilian people came up to Steve and I afterward and gave us many thanks. And they attempted to communicate with us. I was surprised at how much we are able to communicate. ONe of the individuals (Rafael) asked me to make sure I tried chicken hearts if I ever came across them during my time here. Chicken hearts is one of Rafael's favorite foods. I told him I would. Yet, I hoped that I would never come across them.
After church today, guess what?! We went to eat more-just what we needed. Next to Italy, and Paris, I have been told that the area of Sao Paolo Brazil has the world's best food. This time for lunch we went to a "barbeque" place. Its not USA barbeque, with spicy tomato based sauces. Brazilian "barbeque" means grilled and seasoned beef. And, like the pizza place last night, the waitors brought seasoned, grilled, beef cuts to your table on swords about every 30 seconds. Again our Brazilian host had to explain what each one was. If we said, "yes," to the waitor, he would carve off a slice of the portion on his sword and place it on our plate. We had Top Sirloin, Sirloin, Tender Sirloin, Bottom Sirloin, Strip Loin, Rumpsteak, Hump steak, Lambchops, spicy sausage and guess what CHICKEN HEARTS. I have to confess I have a hard time eating something that looks exactly like a miniature heart. But I gave my word. I took alittle piece of the heart-I think it was the bottom left ventricle:). The flavor was not bad, but the texture was not something made for the American tongue. It was rather chewey and rubbery. I did not eat any more. My favorite cut of Brazilian barbeque meat was "Alcatra" - Top Sirloin.
Tonight, the place that David and I were supposed to go and teach at did not have a translator. So, I am staying in my room and resting. Tomorrow we travel into the mountains of Brazil (about a three hour drive) to attend and teach at the Biblical Counseling Conference there. That's about all for now.
.
Now for Brent's perspective ...
I have learned the Brazilian phrase for "What is this?" So, whenever I am with Sacha and Anna and Pedro (their 2 year old), I point to something and ask Pedro, "What is this?" I figure that is what my children did to me to learn the language of English, so that is what I am doing to 2-yr old Pedro to learn some Portugese. I have learned the words for airplane, penguin (the easiest one--it is just "penguin") up, down, shoe, hand, milk, juice, and water, cup. I will be good shape if i ever need some milk in a sippy cup in Brazil and a toy penguin. :)
Last night, our Brazillian hosts took us out to a Brazillian Pizza place called Goldens. This was not a pizza "joint" but a very fancy restaraunt. Customers don't simply order a pizza and share it. The waitors constantly visit the tables with different pizza's and ask if you want a slice. With each different visit by the waitors (which occured about every 30 seconds), our Brazilian host had to explain to us what each type of pizza was. Among the selections were Filet Mignon Pizza (Pastor Viar's favorite), Broccili and Cheese Pizza, 4 cheese pizza, 5 cheeze pizza, Mozzarella pizza, Sun dried tomato pizza, the classic pepperoni pizza and so many more that I can't remember. When we finished with the main course of pizza, we then proceeded to the dessert--more pizza! They brought strawberry ice cream pizza, chocolate ice cream pizza, just chocolate pizza, white chocalate pizza, guava pizza, Strawberry and chocolate pizza, and many more that I again can't remember. Apart from those amazing pizza dishes, a salad bar was included having some uniuqe selections. Apparently a really expensive delicacy in Brazil is "the heart of palm trees." As I understand this food, within the center of certain palm trees is a substance that when prepared had the texture and color of something like tofu but was in a cylinder shape. To me it did not have much flavor. I had some tiny boiled eggs that come from a little bird. The eggs taste like boiled chicken eggs but they are not bigger than a quarter.
This morning Pastor Viars and I taught in Sacha's (Alexandre Mendes ) church. David Selvey and Dan Wickert were at another church. Sacha was one of the top graduates from our first seminary class. I spoke on our purpose in life--being the visible representative of the invisible God. Pastor Viars spoke on the beauty of God's grace. The two topics complimented each other very well despite the fact that Steve and I did not plan it. The Brazillian believers were very receptive. For me, I typically do a lot more interaction with the audience when I am teaching. Obviously that is a challenge in a different language. But with Sacha as the translator, I believe God enabled us to overcome some of the curse of the tower of Babel and minister God's word effective. The Brazilian people came up to Steve and I afterward and gave us many thanks. And they attempted to communicate with us. I was surprised at how much we are able to communicate. ONe of the individuals (Rafael) asked me to make sure I tried chicken hearts if I ever came across them during my time here. Chicken hearts is one of Rafael's favorite foods. I told him I would. Yet, I hoped that I would never come across them.
After church today, guess what?! We went to eat more-just what we needed. Next to Italy, and Paris, I have been told that the area of Sao Paolo Brazil has the world's best food. This time for lunch we went to a "barbeque" place. Its not USA barbeque, with spicy tomato based sauces. Brazilian "barbeque" means grilled and seasoned beef. And, like the pizza place last night, the waitors brought seasoned, grilled, beef cuts to your table on swords about every 30 seconds. Again our Brazilian host had to explain what each one was. If we said, "yes," to the waitor, he would carve off a slice of the portion on his sword and place it on our plate. We had Top Sirloin, Sirloin, Tender Sirloin, Bottom Sirloin, Strip Loin, Rumpsteak, Hump steak, Lambchops, spicy sausage and guess what CHICKEN HEARTS. I have to confess I have a hard time eating something that looks exactly like a miniature heart. But I gave my word. I took alittle piece of the heart-I think it was the bottom left ventricle:). The flavor was not bad, but the texture was not something made for the American tongue. It was rather chewey and rubbery. I did not eat any more. My favorite cut of Brazilian barbeque meat was "Alcatra" - Top Sirloin.
Tonight, the place that David and I were supposed to go and teach at did not have a translator. So, I am staying in my room and resting. Tomorrow we travel into the mountains of Brazil (about a three hour drive) to attend and teach at the Biblical Counseling Conference there. That's about all for now.
.
Brazil 2011 Days 1-2 from a new perspective
This is the second day impressions of our newest team member, Pastor Brent Aucoin.
In Brazil and having a great time with Alexandre Mendes and Anna and the believers here in Brazil. I tasted pig's ear with my lunch today. It had the texture of the fat part of bacon and a similar taste. Tonight we are going out for Brazilian pizza.
More importantly, I was suddenly overcome with an unexpected sadness today. After I taught some Brazilian brothers in Christ through a translator, they started to pray. They were affirming each other in their prayers but I could not understand nor unite my heart with theirs. I did not plan my response. It was a spontaneous and profound sadness.
Language is the medium by which we gain an intimate knowledge of another. Think about it. Through accurate and vulnerable communication, we invite others to know us. Apart from communication, there is no intimate knowledge of one another. Those who can understand this communication are getting a small piece of knowledge about me. And remember Christ is referred to in John 1:1 as the "word" which communicates to us intimate knowledge of who God is (John 1:18).
Thus for that moment today I felt isolated from my brothers in Christ. Separate. Unable to partake in fellowship even though I wanted to. I longed for the day when the judgment rendered at the Tower of Babel would be reversed and there would be no barriers in knowing one another as we have been known by God.
In Brazil and having a great time with Alexandre Mendes and Anna and the believers here in Brazil. I tasted pig's ear with my lunch today. It had the texture of the fat part of bacon and a similar taste. Tonight we are going out for Brazilian pizza.
More importantly, I was suddenly overcome with an unexpected sadness today. After I taught some Brazilian brothers in Christ through a translator, they started to pray. They were affirming each other in their prayers but I could not understand nor unite my heart with theirs. I did not plan my response. It was a spontaneous and profound sadness.
Language is the medium by which we gain an intimate knowledge of another. Think about it. Through accurate and vulnerable communication, we invite others to know us. Apart from communication, there is no intimate knowledge of one another. Those who can understand this communication are getting a small piece of knowledge about me. And remember Christ is referred to in John 1:1 as the "word" which communicates to us intimate knowledge of who God is (John 1:18).
Thus for that moment today I felt isolated from my brothers in Christ. Separate. Unable to partake in fellowship even though I wanted to. I longed for the day when the judgment rendered at the Tower of Babel would be reversed and there would be no barriers in knowing one another as we have been known by God.
Brazil 2011 Days 1-2
Pastor Brent Aucoin and I (David Selvey) arrived in Sao Paulo Brazil on Friday morning about 9am. Sacha Mendes was there to meet us and drive us 2 hours to San Jose dos Campos to our hotel in the city where he lives. Pastor Steve Viars and Dr. Dan Wickert arrived the following day to join us at the hotel.
David taught missions to a group of men all Saturday morning at Maranatha Baptist Church where Sacha is on the pastoral staff. Brent got his first taste of speaking through an interpreter with a presentation about the Faith Bible Seminary.
On Sunday Steve and Brent both spoke at Maranatha Baptist Church and Dan and I spoke at Faith Baptist. Then on Sunday night we went back to Faith and Steve preached there. Sunday night is thier main church service. It started about 7 and ended around 9pm. Then Monday we drove to the conference.
Since Brent is the new guy on the team this year, so I'll share his perspective on the first few days in Brazil in the following posts. Thanks for your prayers ... >David Selvey
David taught missions to a group of men all Saturday morning at Maranatha Baptist Church where Sacha is on the pastoral staff. Brent got his first taste of speaking through an interpreter with a presentation about the Faith Bible Seminary.
On Sunday Steve and Brent both spoke at Maranatha Baptist Church and Dan and I spoke at Faith Baptist. Then on Sunday night we went back to Faith and Steve preached there. Sunday night is thier main church service. It started about 7 and ended around 9pm. Then Monday we drove to the conference.
Since Brent is the new guy on the team this year, so I'll share his perspective on the first few days in Brazil in the following posts. Thanks for your prayers ... >David Selvey
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