What Went Wrong?

Today is the halfway point in our journey--and what a day. It started last night when we left Sao Paulo on the Red Eye to Maputo, Mozambique, by way of Johannesburg, South Africa. We arrived in Maputo at about 10:45 this morning, with about two hours of sleep. We got off the plane, walked across the tarmac and waved to Lynn Schmidt who was waiting for us up on the balcony of the airport. We were tired, but it was all good.

Until we showed up at baggage claim, and Donna's bags didn't...

We filed a claim for her bags and then Roger asked: Where's Eric?
I asked: Who's Eric?
Roger: He's the videographer who was on your plane and who is joining us for this week.
Brad: I don't know Eric and have never met him...
Rodger called out through the airport, "Eric!" until this guy smiled at us and joined our party. Nice to meet you, Eric.

We all drove back to the Schmidts' home, had a snack, then Rodger wanted Eric and me to go to the property which the ministry is developing. We got about halfway to the property when Eric said, "I forgot the battery for the video camera at the house." Not so good.

But we drove to the property anyway and as soon as we entered the gate, the van lurched and stopped. We were stuck up to the chassis in the sand. Not good.

So we got out and walked around the property, guided by Rodger. It was all good, so after a while we piled back into Rodger's van, with eight interns who helped dislodge the van, plus Rodger, Eric and me, and headed back toward home. And all was good until Rodger said, "I just ran out of gas." We coasted off the road.

Which was not too bad until I prepared to get out of the van and discovered, "I've lost my glasses."
Which was not good at all, because I am supposed to teach the interns and preach this weekend at church, and I cannot read without my glasses anymore.

So we walked back to the Schmidts' home and got another vehicle. We drove back to the property, and this gave Eric a chance to remember his battery for the video camera. When we arrived at the property, the lead worker said he had not been able to find my glasses. But I told the Lord, "Lord, I'd really like to have those glasses." I walked back to where we had been stuck in the sand, and there were my glasses, far enough away from where the van had been that the crowd which pushed the van to freedom had not trampled them. So I could see again. That was good.

We called Lynn on her cell phone to report the found glasses and the good video of the property, and Lynn told us that Donna's baggage had arrived with the 3:00 plane. So that was good.

We drove back to the van that had run out of gas, and Rodger filled the tank with fuel. But now we had two vehicles there, which is not a big deal, because I could drive one, except that in Mozambique they do not drive on the right side of the road. But I got behind the wheel and coaxed the van back down the road. Rodger led the way and I followed while Eric shot video and we made it home safely.
Which was very good. Tonight we'll sleep.

Tomorrow we leave for Ilha de Mocambique (Mozambique Island). I think we could use your prayers for that trip!

Grace,
Brad

Heartbreak in Vila Rosa

After our weekend at Camp California, I preached last night at Restoration Church. It is challenging to try to communicate spiritual truths in a foreign culture through an interpreter. But I think God's word came through mostly clearly.

Today we visited in three favelas (slums). The final stop was Vila Rosa (pronounced Villa Hosa). This sprawling mishmash of dwellings presented the most heartbreaking living conditions I have ever witnessed, and I have seen a few. We walked down makeshift paths between cardboard and plywood buildings straddling raw sewage. All electricity is pirated from the government-run electric company. Wiring is not inspected. Neither is the plumbing. Before we met anyone who lives there, we were already grieving.

Then we met Gabriel's mother. She invited us--the whole group included six of us from Lakeside and another six from Restoration--inside her home. This woman lived with six of her eight children in a squatter's hut built from construction debris. The whole "house" was about eight feet wide and 15 feet long. She had scrounged for every scrap of building supplies. She had built the entire house herself, installed the wiring and plumbing, while earning a living pulling a recycling cart through the slums. Meanwhile, her eight year old son, Gabriel, is a "special needs" boy. I don't know his diagnosis, but I guess something like cerebral palsy. He cannot talk or walk or crawl. He understands little. He cannot hold his head up. He spends his days and nights watching the ceiling, because that is what is in his field of vision.

Gabriel's mom invited us into her bedroom, which she shares with her kids, so we could pray for her family. She said anything that comes from Jesus is good. We prayed for her, but I should have had her pray for me. I think her faith is stronger.

And my friends from Restoration Ministries work in these favelas every day. As I spent this day with the RM team, I watched Jesus at work. I have a whole new concept of "love your neighbor."

If you want to learn more about this ministry, check out Lakeside on Mission on Lakeside's webpage.

Grace,
Brad

Camp California

Donna and I are sitting on the porch of a beautiful old home that is now the main house of Camp California. The property was purchased by Restoration Ministries about eight years ago, through a donation from a family in California. It is a beautiful setting about two hours outside Sao Paulo. Today I spoke to about 35 volunteers and staff of RM. They are great people who are pouring out their lives for the sake of the poor in Sao Paulo. The leaders asked me to speak on the subject of sabbath rest. It is a topic they struggle with like many of us do. Their work is so significant and so compelling that they don't stop for breath. You can pray for them to learn to accept God's gift of rest while still doing the great work God has given them to do. We have been very impressed with the two young people the Motas have trained to lead RM. Wellington and Tati both grew up in the ministry of RM. In other words, they grew up in the favelas and were outcasts of their culture. Now they lead a huge piece of the work. They are both great at what they are doing. It reminds me again how important it is to be raising up our young people to be leaders in the Lord's work. Our youth should not be seen as tomorrow's church. They are the church with us today. They should be an integral part of leading what we do. Grace, Brad

Sao Paulo Wow

Hi Friends--
We arrived yesterday (Wednesday) morning after a red eye from Costa Rica through Miami to Sao Paulo. Our host, Paulo Mota, met us at the airport and immediately our tour began. After a Brazilian lunch at the Restoration Ministries Day Center, we went into the Favelas. We visited with a woman who receives dialysis every other day--just like my Mom. However, this woman is just 43 years old, lives in a very, very poor place, and has a life-long history of being abandoned. She told us her story of faith. Her one-sentence story: I did not come to Jesus out of love, but out of pain. Yet as she told her story, the grace of God radiated from her. It is evidence of the grace of God all over again.

Today a small group of Lakesiders joined us here in Brazil. We were taken on a longer tour of the favelas and given explanations of the favela "system" (think slums and squatters). Since it rained hard all day, the children's program today was moved into the Day Center. I wish I could show you pictures today of the children and their leaders and their amazing faith (but I have no camera access for this computer). It reminds me how grateful I am for the ministry of Kidsfest, and how so many children are learning to love Jesus through Lakeside. That same kind of ministry is going on here in Sao Paulo. Wow!

The ministry here is led by Paulo and Ireni Mota. They are a couple of passionate and productive followers of Jesus. They have given their lives, and in many ways their health, to reach these children. Pray for them as they are raising up and training a phenomenal group of leaders to carry on the ministry.

Tomorrow and Sunday we will be at "Camp California". The whole staff amd most of the volunteers are coming up to camp. I will be talking to them about rest, building their soul, and teamwork. I don't know how much I can give them, but they are giving us plenty, especially a great view of the ministry of Jesus in this place. There is much to learn on my part!

Donna and I are well, thoroughly enjoying this journey. Last night we enjoyed my new favorite dessert: Papaya Cream! Wow!

Grace,
Brad

Conversations

Hi Friends--
I know Vickie told you we'd be out of touch, but I got access to a computer tonight, so I'd thought I'd drop in a note. After this it might be a few days again, but we'll see.

Thanks for all your comments. I appreciate you reading!

On Saturday evening Donna, Bethany and I had dinner with a young couple preparing to go to the middle east. They are going into a very difficult region to serve Jesus. Toward the end of our visit this young man went over to the counter and picked up his Bible. He turned to Acts 13 and read the passage about the Church of Antioch laying hands on Barnabas and Saul before sending them out as missionaries. He then asked me to do the same for them. (This should sound terribly familiar to you Lakesiders, if you were in church the weekend before we left. If not, listen to the podcast from that weekend.) It was a beautiful opportunity to practice this biblical process. Pray for them as they prepare to go.

Today we returned from the beach with Steve and his family. We had three hours in the car together and listened to Steve's faith story. He reminded me that in the span of eight years he went from an antagonist to a passionate and productive follower of Jesus to missionary! I never stop being moved by the stories of such people. And I am so grateful that Steve is serving Jesus and Lakeside through his work in Costa Rica.

Tomorrow we leave for Brazil on a red-eye through Miami--sounds like a great flight, huh? (We have to say good-bye to Bethany.) We arrive in Brazil on Thursday morning.

More later. Stayed tuned...

Grace,
Brad

A Few Days "Out of Range"

Just wanted to let you know that Brad and Donna are doing well. He won't be able to communicate on the blog for a few days, but probably by the end of the week. Thanks for your continued prayers! Blessings to you!

Vickie

Coffee Mates

We visited the Britt Coffee Company today, about 30 minutes from the house where we are staying. It is a beautifully run company for conceiving and achieving a mission. The coffee is good too.

We spent all afternoon with Steve and Jamie. Had great conversations about life as an alien in a foreign country. Steve and Jamie, like all new missionaries, are learning to deal with culture shock and adapting to their new place. They are doing a great job of this, but I'd love you to be praying for them in the process. Their ministry in the name of Jesus is dependent on their ability to thrive in this new and different environment.

I am learning the enormous value of visiting our missionaries on their turf. I've learned so much about how the church can help and encourage our team members abroad. I can't share details here due to the confidential nature of our conversations, but I am so pleased with the chance to connect with our teams. Thank you for making this possible. Please continue to pray for wisdom for Donna and me as we listen, learn and give whatever counsel might be helpful to our friends and colleagues.

Thanks. Grace,
Brad