Wow! What an incredible trip.
I'm hoping that soon i'll be able to update more of a narrative as to what all the great things God did on this trip. I've been focusing on sorting the 2000 pictures i've got. (yes 2000!)
Hopefully I'll be able to post some of those on this site, too, or at least give you a link to where it'll be.
thanks for keeping the team in prayer. It was an incredibly wonderful time.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Monday, July 12, 2010
Getting Caught up.
Getting Caught up.
It’s Monday morning!
I’m so sorry I’ve not been able to bring updates on a regular basis. It’s been difficult to get time to do more than some facebook stuff from my phone.
Here’s what’s been on our itinerary since Wednesday.
Thursday morning we had time to go visit the two main sights of Rio. The first was Sugar Loaf Mountain which is basically a 1200 ft. rock sticking out of the ocean. You take 2 cable car rides up to the top. There were Incredible views of the ocean & city.
The other excursion was up the mountain to see the famous Christ the Redeemer statue. Having seen this in pictures so many times, it was awesome to see it up close.
At 5:00 we went to a church in a rough neighborhood of town. This one was broadcast live online so I know some of you were able to catch it. I just checked and you can still navigate to the video cam of the evening. It is at www.batistadomeier.org.br/inicio.html
Click on “culto ao vivo” That will get you to the most recent live service post, you will need to scroll to the right to July8th service. I shared a brief testimony in this one which had some problems w/ Silas, one of our translators. ☺
On Friday & Saturday we took part in a conference of church musicians. I thoroughly enjoyed this. It was just like being home (with the exception of not speaking the same language). Ministers & musicians here are having the same challenges and struggles as those in America.
The first thing I was asked to do was teach a guitar class... This had a few challenges: 1. No translator 2. No curriculum 3. I don’t play guitar (even though I know “how”) This was a great time though. It all went very well until the last few minutes when they all began to chant in English “you play... you play... you play...” the look of disappointment in their face was priceless. ☺
There are 3 other full-time church musician leaders on the trip. Two orchestra directors (one from Phoenix First Assembly, and the other from a church near Tampa Bay) and a music pastor from an independent church in Ohio. Three of us did a Q & A session with all of the individuals from the conference. Here’s where it really felt SO similar to the challenges of ministry in the US. It was wonderful to be able to encourage them & let them know they are not alone in their struggles.
Then it was another guitar class, we played a concert, a short break, then we sight read an entire musical production with a GREAT choir. There was full orchestration, and we were a trombone & flute choir... So some trombones were reading French horn parts, trumpet parts, sax, etc... I was asked to play the cello for this. It was fun. But I lived up to the saying that someone put on my facebook: “What do lightning and a cellist’s fingers have in common: they never strike the same place twice.” I’m really glad there was no mic on me, but it was a GREAT time with a very good Brazilian conductor.
Saturday we returned to the same location and taught more classes & Q&A sessions. And did a couple concerts. We also had a combined service in the evening which included the worship team from Wednesday night. A choir that performed a Bach Cantata and the Hallelujah Chorus. All that was so great, and when we finished with the contemporary worship, I thought we were gonna blow the roof off the place. It was great!
That night we went out to a Brazilian steakhouse (of course here it’s just a steakhouse). It’s similar in function to Sabor (in Milwaukee), but more middle class in style. It was very good.
Sunday morning we played in a traditional Baptist church. The presence of God was incredible during that service. I often talk about a “pile of rocks” moment where God does something that we need to build an altar of remembrance. This church will always have a “pile of rocks” About half way through the service I could not help from weeping.
If I had to define what the Lord was speaking to me, it would be: “When you capture my heart for people, it CHANGES you.” It felt like my DNA was being changed. Following the service we had an hour drive to the “hippy fair” in Ipanema. My time with the Lord continued in the back of the bus and I just wept as the Lord continued working in my heart.
It’s really indescribable what happens when you go on a missions trip. For the vast majority of our team, this is their first trip. Each one would tell you the same as those who’ve been on a trip before. It changes you. Getting away from our culture and our routine gives God the opportunity to speak to us in a new and real way.
That’s all I’ve got time to type right now... there’s just not enough time to express what a blessing it is to do this.
It’s Monday morning!
I’m so sorry I’ve not been able to bring updates on a regular basis. It’s been difficult to get time to do more than some facebook stuff from my phone.
Here’s what’s been on our itinerary since Wednesday.
Thursday morning we had time to go visit the two main sights of Rio. The first was Sugar Loaf Mountain which is basically a 1200 ft. rock sticking out of the ocean. You take 2 cable car rides up to the top. There were Incredible views of the ocean & city.
The other excursion was up the mountain to see the famous Christ the Redeemer statue. Having seen this in pictures so many times, it was awesome to see it up close.
At 5:00 we went to a church in a rough neighborhood of town. This one was broadcast live online so I know some of you were able to catch it. I just checked and you can still navigate to the video cam of the evening. It is at www.batistadomeier.org.br/inicio.html
Click on “culto ao vivo” That will get you to the most recent live service post, you will need to scroll to the right to July8th service. I shared a brief testimony in this one which had some problems w/ Silas, one of our translators. ☺
On Friday & Saturday we took part in a conference of church musicians. I thoroughly enjoyed this. It was just like being home (with the exception of not speaking the same language). Ministers & musicians here are having the same challenges and struggles as those in America.
The first thing I was asked to do was teach a guitar class... This had a few challenges: 1. No translator 2. No curriculum 3. I don’t play guitar (even though I know “how”) This was a great time though. It all went very well until the last few minutes when they all began to chant in English “you play... you play... you play...” the look of disappointment in their face was priceless. ☺
There are 3 other full-time church musician leaders on the trip. Two orchestra directors (one from Phoenix First Assembly, and the other from a church near Tampa Bay) and a music pastor from an independent church in Ohio. Three of us did a Q & A session with all of the individuals from the conference. Here’s where it really felt SO similar to the challenges of ministry in the US. It was wonderful to be able to encourage them & let them know they are not alone in their struggles.
Then it was another guitar class, we played a concert, a short break, then we sight read an entire musical production with a GREAT choir. There was full orchestration, and we were a trombone & flute choir... So some trombones were reading French horn parts, trumpet parts, sax, etc... I was asked to play the cello for this. It was fun. But I lived up to the saying that someone put on my facebook: “What do lightning and a cellist’s fingers have in common: they never strike the same place twice.” I’m really glad there was no mic on me, but it was a GREAT time with a very good Brazilian conductor.
Saturday we returned to the same location and taught more classes & Q&A sessions. And did a couple concerts. We also had a combined service in the evening which included the worship team from Wednesday night. A choir that performed a Bach Cantata and the Hallelujah Chorus. All that was so great, and when we finished with the contemporary worship, I thought we were gonna blow the roof off the place. It was great!
That night we went out to a Brazilian steakhouse (of course here it’s just a steakhouse). It’s similar in function to Sabor (in Milwaukee), but more middle class in style. It was very good.
Sunday morning we played in a traditional Baptist church. The presence of God was incredible during that service. I often talk about a “pile of rocks” moment where God does something that we need to build an altar of remembrance. This church will always have a “pile of rocks” About half way through the service I could not help from weeping.
If I had to define what the Lord was speaking to me, it would be: “When you capture my heart for people, it CHANGES you.” It felt like my DNA was being changed. Following the service we had an hour drive to the “hippy fair” in Ipanema. My time with the Lord continued in the back of the bus and I just wept as the Lord continued working in my heart.
It’s really indescribable what happens when you go on a missions trip. For the vast majority of our team, this is their first trip. Each one would tell you the same as those who’ve been on a trip before. It changes you. Getting away from our culture and our routine gives God the opportunity to speak to us in a new and real way.
That’s all I’ve got time to type right now... there’s just not enough time to express what a blessing it is to do this.
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Sunday morning service
Hey everyone!
I know that several of u watched us live online on Wednesday night. The church wee are at tomorrow morning will also be streamed live here's the address:
ibcapete.org
Clik on: Cul to ao vivo
I believe the service is at 10am time here so it's 8am local time
I know that several of u watched us live online on Wednesday night. The church wee are at tomorrow morning will also be streamed live here's the address:
ibcapete.org
Clik on: Cul to ao vivo
I believe the service is at 10am time here so it's 8am local time
It's Saturday???
Wow. I lost a day somewhere! I've been waiting for a chance to sit down
And update you on everything that's been goin on but that time hasn't come. This morning we are headed to teach master classes to musicians of all levels. It's specific to playing in the worship setting. It's at the same church we played in last night.
Hoping to be able to give a full rundown of all that is happening. God has been good! We have been kept very busy but have been ver refreshed and blessed.
Thanx for praying!!
And update you on everything that's been goin on but that time hasn't come. This morning we are headed to teach master classes to musicians of all levels. It's specific to playing in the worship setting. It's at the same church we played in last night.
Hoping to be able to give a full rundown of all that is happening. God has been good! We have been kept very busy but have been ver refreshed and blessed.
Thanx for praying!!
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Wednesday was a great day!
We had the morning to ourselves so 3 members of our team & I took an excursion to jump off a mountain! We did hang gliding from 1200 ft down to the beach. That was a once in a lifetime experience!
As cool as that was, it wasn't the highlight if the day. At noon we went to downtown Rio to perform an outdoor concert in front of their state legislature building. In america people would tend to just walk past something like that but they set up chairs and people from all walks of life stopped what they were doing to listen to the entire 1 hour concert.
I met a young man who was born & raised in Madison, WI. He moved here to teach English I would have loved to talked more with him. Following the concert I met an old man who was so excited to tell me something but no English at all. (and Portuguese is still hard for me to get).
Then a man named Claudio came up who spoke English very well and interpreted. As it turns out the man is 80 yrs old and has so excited because when be was young he used to play trombone and he learned all of glen miller's tunes.
After getting all that figured out I spent some time talking with claudio. He has a sister who lives in Alabama and is devastated by the oil spill. I spoke with claudio about the love of Christ and his response was interesting. He said that religion isn't very applicable in the city. He said those in the country live a simpler life and probably need it. In the city there's enough to do. I was able to talk to him more about the love of God for him. Pray that planted seeds will grow!
The highlight of the day was definitely the evening service. We participated in the wed nite service at a church in Barra (baha). Their worship band was great! Their leader wrote some charts for our team to play that were great! The guitarist is desiring to come to the states to become a worship pastor. I told him about ncu & seu and he was really excited about checking into it. I had the chance to share a testimony in introducing on of the songs. There was such a sweet spirit there!
Looking forward to facebooking some new friends!
I'll fill in details for thurs soon. I can only work on this in small bits when other stuff is happnin.
Blessings!
We had the morning to ourselves so 3 members of our team & I took an excursion to jump off a mountain! We did hang gliding from 1200 ft down to the beach. That was a once in a lifetime experience!
As cool as that was, it wasn't the highlight if the day. At noon we went to downtown Rio to perform an outdoor concert in front of their state legislature building. In america people would tend to just walk past something like that but they set up chairs and people from all walks of life stopped what they were doing to listen to the entire 1 hour concert.
I met a young man who was born & raised in Madison, WI. He moved here to teach English I would have loved to talked more with him. Following the concert I met an old man who was so excited to tell me something but no English at all. (and Portuguese is still hard for me to get).
Then a man named Claudio came up who spoke English very well and interpreted. As it turns out the man is 80 yrs old and has so excited because when be was young he used to play trombone and he learned all of glen miller's tunes.
After getting all that figured out I spent some time talking with claudio. He has a sister who lives in Alabama and is devastated by the oil spill. I spoke with claudio about the love of Christ and his response was interesting. He said that religion isn't very applicable in the city. He said those in the country live a simpler life and probably need it. In the city there's enough to do. I was able to talk to him more about the love of God for him. Pray that planted seeds will grow!
The highlight of the day was definitely the evening service. We participated in the wed nite service at a church in Barra (baha). Their worship band was great! Their leader wrote some charts for our team to play that were great! The guitarist is desiring to come to the states to become a worship pastor. I told him about ncu & seu and he was really excited about checking into it. I had the chance to share a testimony in introducing on of the songs. There was such a sweet spirit there!
Looking forward to facebooking some new friends!
I'll fill in details for thurs soon. I can only work on this in small bits when other stuff is happnin.
Blessings!
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
In Rio!
I'm so sorry I've not been able to update the blog. Internet access is quite limited without have to invest quite a bit. I'm able to console by phone.
After some delays we arrivEd safely tuesday morning. Due to some daelays of Garold things we weren't able to get into our accommodations until 11 pm tues pm. (it seems more like. Really extended Monday & we just skipped tues. But after a great nights sleep life is great!
Our team is made up of individuals from FL,GA TX OH VA TN and Gabby (our leader)is from Sao Paulo BR.
We're getting set up to perform an outdoor concert in front of the house of representatives. Pray for divine appts. Tonight we Participate Ina worship service at a large church in rio.
God is good!
After some delays we arrivEd safely tuesday morning. Due to some daelays of Garold things we weren't able to get into our accommodations until 11 pm tues pm. (it seems more like. Really extended Monday & we just skipped tues. But after a great nights sleep life is great!
Our team is made up of individuals from FL,GA TX OH VA TN and Gabby (our leader)is from Sao Paulo BR.
We're getting set up to perform an outdoor concert in front of the house of representatives. Pray for divine appts. Tonight we Participate Ina worship service at a large church in rio.
God is good!
Monday, July 5, 2010
Departure Day!
The day has arrived! I will be flying out of MKE at 2:15 for a two hour flight to Atlanta. After a 4 hr layover, we'll depart from atlanta for Rio @ 9:35 (EDT) The flight is scheduled to take 10 hrs. and we'll be landing in Rio @ 8:25 local time. Rio is one time zone East of Eastern. (2 hours ahead of home.)
Thanks for praying for Kenn! He reported last night that they found a tear in his intestine, and he will find out today or tomorrow if surgery is necessary. We're continuing to pray for a complete & quick healing. It looks like Brazil is out, but he reminds me of Paul as his mind is already geared to be ready for two missions trips that are immediately to follow.
Kenn and his team at Global Missions Project are great about keeping on top of preparing everyone for the trip. On one of the first documents they give out it ends with a list of things that we agree to give up. It's phrased: I give up my right to... A comfortable bed - I entrust to God... My strength and endurance. It expands to things like food preferences, control of schedule, etc. I just realized this morning that missing from the list is: "I give up my right to immediate internet access..." I think that might be tougher on me than anything!
I'm hoping I will be able to stay connected, be able to post some pics & keep you updated!
Blessings!
Thanks for praying for Kenn! He reported last night that they found a tear in his intestine, and he will find out today or tomorrow if surgery is necessary. We're continuing to pray for a complete & quick healing. It looks like Brazil is out, but he reminds me of Paul as his mind is already geared to be ready for two missions trips that are immediately to follow.
Kenn and his team at Global Missions Project are great about keeping on top of preparing everyone for the trip. On one of the first documents they give out it ends with a list of things that we agree to give up. It's phrased: I give up my right to... A comfortable bed - I entrust to God... My strength and endurance. It expands to things like food preferences, control of schedule, etc. I just realized this morning that missing from the list is: "I give up my right to immediate internet access..." I think that might be tougher on me than anything!
I'm hoping I will be able to stay connected, be able to post some pics & keep you updated!
Blessings!
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