I'm a day behind on my blog. Oh well.....this is Brazil, I'm learning. The locals would be proud. What doesn't happen today might happen tomorrow. And if tomorrow doesn't look so good then we'll see from there. One can only plan so much. Oh the stress of it all.
Truth is we were all awfully busy. Our plan was to go north and start our visit in the city of Sao Jose de Corre Grande and visit some of the churches further down the coast. I had a reader ask what the ratio was between sightseeing and actual work. Let me explain that the two meld into one so as not to create the impression this is all just one big fun fest. It's a perk of the travel, I won't deny that. I'm just glad Mission board saw the vision in the late 60's to choose Brazil and not Siberia.
So dear reader(s) when we are touring, or at dinner or lounging we are more than often speaking of the work being done. We have our formal meetings, but often more is accomplished in a relaxed atmosphere. Some of you will understand that the best decision are made amidst some casual conversation and even a bit of humour.
Chris arranged for a small "tour bus" to take our little group for the day. I use the term tour bus very loose..loosely? Back at home this vehicle would not be road legal. It was a 13 seater that had a great view of the road, not only through the windows but the floor boards as well. The corners of all the seats lacked foam padding because previous patrons had chewed through them. Once again shocks were non existent and every panel and door latch was either loose or damaged which made the decibel count reach higher than most air planes. Even iSteve needed to shout to be heard.
I'm not complaining. Chris looks after us well and I'm sure he has our safety at heart.
We began our tour in Sao Jose, the first Church plant in 1971. In perspective this was the same year Pierre Trudeau came to power, The pocket calculator was created, and the average house price was $22,000 in Canada while the average annual income was around $11,000. The Vanspronsens, called by Surrey Mission Board for this work, first explored inland but eventually settled in SJ. At the time it was a small fishing village with dirt roads, now its a small fishing village with dirt roads.... That's not all together true. main street is paved and there is a bustling downtown core where our church still stands 40 years later. We will be serving there this Sunday.
Our second stop was the EBC, the Mission Aid funded school in Maragogi where Moizes hangs his hat. By Brazilian standards it is a top notch facility and considered an "elite" private school. The tuition is R$160 ($80 CAD) per month. Unfortunately the enrolment is 95% children not from our church federation but in our talks with Moizes, the EBC maintains our christian values and disciplines. Children here begin at the age of 3.
The lot is much larger than I imagined, boasting two large buildings (elementary and highschool), with a soccer pitch, playground, and newly minted gymnasium.
Moizes is proud of this facility, not for what he has done but for what the Lord has blessed. He works with an active and enthusiastic school board that is thankful for the support they receive from up north.
In the evening we had the opportunity to meet with principle Moizes, pastor Adriando, and elder Eliandro to get there views on christian education, the future of mission work, and the people of the church in general.
We've come a long way since the 1970's where Canada needed to be very involved in all the aspects of education and mission. Today our brothers still rely on the support, but are more prepared to walk on their own and make decisions. I'm reserving a bit more of that for my final blog.
Dinner was late last night. Steak wasn't the best choice. I've chewed on softer leather baseball gloves. We sell the same stuff in Canada. In comes in bags and its called beef jerky. Now where did I put my dental floss.....
