Sunday 18 December 2011

Preacher Mike?

Preacher (right) with translator (left)

For years I've felt comfortable sitting with the congregation, or behind a sound desk, listening to the preacher bringing the Word of God. For me it's always been the focal point of the service; I love praising God, but the sermon is the part of the service I most look forward to, anticipating hearing what God has to say to me.

So it has been way "out of my comfort zone" to be standing at the front bringing God's word to the people. It's something I approach with some degree of trepidation; I feel it is such a big responsibility; questions run through my mind: Am I going to be faithful to the word? Will the people 'get' my points? Will they respond? Will we get invited back?

On most of the occasions I have been invited, it has been during a missions conference or similar event at the church, so the theme of my talks have been somewhat common, although I have used various passages in the Old and New Testaments, to make different points.

This has been one of the big challenges that God has lined up for me since we've been out here. But it has been a great experience. I have had to rely fully on God; of course I have often been on the receiving end of bible teachings, whether through listening to preachers, studying the bible, or reading Christian books, but to be taking up the role of orator is very different. It takes me hours to prepare, and I always start unsure of what I'm going to say - but as I pray and meditate on the scripture, I have always arrived at the church sure of what God wants me to say.

This has been a great learning experience in reliance on, and trust in God. One of my favourite verses comes to mind:

Trust in the LORD with all your heart 
   and lean not on your own understanding 
in all your ways acknowledge him,
   and he will make your paths straight.

(Proverbs 3:5,6)

If I'm fixing a computer, or mixing sound at the sound desk it seems that I can rely at least in part on myself - education, training, experience. For preaching, however, I have to start and finish with God. I suppose in some ways this makes it easier - He's more reliable than me!

Pastor Evandro and wife, Nélia and Mike

My last two preaches were on 27th November at the Igreja Cristã Evangélica de Santana, and on 11th December at the Assembléia de Deus - Jardim Das Industrias, both in the city of São José dos Campos. The photos are from the latter.


I thank God for the challenges and the experiences that He has brought me, and I pray that He will continue to use me in this way in 2012 if it is His will to do so. Amen.



Wednesday 14 December 2011

Guitar Recital - Joshua




Hi, Joshua here!

I did this presentation last Saturday and it was really fun.
There were lots of other people who played and some people played in groups.
I hope you enjoy!! :)






Monday 12 December 2011

Amor & Vida 2011




Easy does it ...
OM Brazil's "Amor & Vida" (Love and Life) ministry has been a great way to help local people this year. There is a team of professional volunteers who give their services for free once a month, at drop-in centres set up at different local churches. There are General Practitioners, Psychiatrists, Dentists, Opticians, Lawyers, Hairdressers and so on. There is often a live band, and always special activities for kids. At the end of the event, there is a presentation in the church itself. Also, evangelism teams venture out into the surrounding streets to chat to local people, invite them to the event at the church, and share the gospel with them. 


A job well done!
The students from OM are always on hand to help out too, and all the Leals have been involved several times this year too. We've  helped out in various ways: check out the September Newsletter for a story about Mike's experiences doing door-to-door; amongst other things, Nélia interpreted for a visiting American pastor who gave a presentation on bullying; Louissa helped to entertain the little children doing art; Josh helped putting up the gazebo and organising the football. 

This is a really great ministry, demonstrating the love of Jesus in practical ways, making a difference to people in the communities of the city. During 2011 there were altogether 4,827 people who received free professional services from this ministry! In addition to this were people who just turned up for a chat or a cup of coffee, and always plenty of children running around and having fun.



The video below gives you and idea of what goes on - watch out for us in some of the snaps ...



Sunday 4 December 2011

Louissa's Ballet Performance - Coppélia

Hi, It's Louissa

On Thursday It was my end of year ballet performance. I was a country girl and a Russian doll.

The ballet is about a man who makes a life-size doll that he calls Coppélia. The main male character falls in love with it, much to the disappointment of his girlfriend. The ballet tells the story of how she tries to win back his heart.

My ballet school is called Clara Irie and it's registered with the Royal Academy of Dance. I took my grade 3 exam in May and I passed with Merit. There has been lots of hard work all year long but I have improved a lot.


Below is a video of one of the dances: