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June, '08 #29

Greetings from a windy northeast Brazil

In our last letter we shared some of the lessons you can learn in the 3rd world and I’d like to continue with a few more. I learned that in many countries there are no traffic laws, only traffic suggestions. I also learned that all those things you should "never" do to a car or engine don’t seem to apply to the other side of the equator (or border). I am often amazed at the way cars and engines are held together with everything but duct tape (only because it doesn’t exist here) and still run - well, at least walk. Similarly, there is no load limit for any vehicle as long as it can still move. I’ve seen burros so loaded they looked like a walking hay stack, cars with more people than the clown car at a circus, and motorcycles . . . well you’d have to see it to believe it. Ladders, bicycles, wheel barrows, trailers, family of 5, satellite dish, big TV’s. Two days ago I saw a man carrying a full-grown, live goat in his lap on a motorcycle. And here, anything over 150cc’s is too big. I also learned that sometimes the safest place to stop IS in the middle of the road. In places there are so many potholes that people drive on the shoulder. If you have a flat you pull off the shoulder into the road to fix it.

But perhaps one of the most amazing lessons one can learn in a third world country is the meaning of "generosity". I cannot count the times I have visited and seen someone who has nothing, go out and borrow food to offer us. We are often rather pragmatic in our offering and receiving help. I was once carrying two rather heavy car parts from one shop to another when someone I had seen but didn’t know rushed by to get into the bank before it closed at 3 pm. When he saw me he wanted to give me a ride and, though I suggested he do his business while the bank was open first, he insisted on taking me right then. That’s a tough act to beat. Yet we are here to share with them the greatest act of love and mercy that could ever be shown. A God whose love for unlovable sinners found a way for His mercy to satisfy His righteousness through the sacrifice of his perfect Son. For all the differences that are so interesting to us, let us never forget the most important similarity. "For there is none other name…whereby we must be saved."

In letters past I have requested prayer for rain. Though they came late this year, they came well. What a joy it was to drive through regions that were chopping cactus to feed to animals and see it all green and watered. I finally had to stop and take a series of pictures to blend into a panorama shot. Those of us accustomed to the dry northeast, it looks like a picture from somewhere else. Thanks for your prayers

I also want to communicate the passing on of one of our family members. Having worked long and hard well beyond retirement age, our beloved friend moved on at the ripe old age of 36. That’s pretty old for a car. Trusty Rusty served us well for 8 years (I closed the deal the day our youngest was born). I immediately regretted selling it, but the way the doors opened with perfect timing seemed to indicate the Lord’s hand. The new wheels (’99) still haven’t come yet after almost 2 weeks so we’re making do on bikes and a borrowed, home-made mini-truck. Hopefully the new car will spend less time visiting the local mechanics. I’m still not sure I made the right decision, especially in our financial situation, but the price was such that I should be able to sell it with out loss. Time will tell.

And speaking of time, it’s almost time for furlough. I’ve put it off for as long as I can, but the inevitable is, well . . . inevitable. Furlough requires a lot of prayer and planning. Imagine shutting down everything you do and packing up everything you own, living out of suitcases for a year, and then going back to pick up the pieces. I have a hard enough time recovering from a couple of days of "vacation"! That’s part of the reason we plan on only 6 months. Our congregation will suffer greatly in our absence due to a lack of men, and new projects and ministries are awkward to start knowing they must die soon. We need your prayers.

On the other hand it will be good to see you again. Time will be tight so we need your help planning ahead. I’m already accepting dates on a first-come-first-serve basis so please look at your calendar and count us in. I plan to stay a little longer to help with the big year-end retreat, but Michele and the boys are looking to come late December. By the time we get the display ready we should be available late January through June at least.

One last matter which I must include in this letter is a special project planned for mid-July, 2008. A group of Americans are coming to participate in the Aventura Brasil project. One of the planned activities is a free camp on the Island for poorer children. We are trying to recruit candidates but it isn’t easy. Though we’ve been here four years, distrust is common. After passing out pamphlets and talking to parents, one irate mom called to yell at me that I couldn’t have her children, I’d have to get someone else’s to carry off to America. Pray for the right group – enough but not too many- safety, especially in this windy season, and above all, for fruit from our labors – that the Holy Spirit of God might grab the hearts of these young ones before the devil makes a mess of their lives.

Until next time we are
Yours in Him,

The Athas in Brazil

THIS JUST IN: as I was writing this letter a call came in that the car we bought is in the next city where I am to pick it up. Still got some details to work out, but it was a pleasant surprise!


	Greetings from a windy northeast Brazil In our last letter we shared some of the lessons you can learn in the 3rd world and I’d like to continue with a few more. I learned that in many countries there are no traffic laws, only traffic suggestions. I also learned that all those things you should "never" do to a car or engine don’t seem to apply to the other side of the equator (or border). I am often amazed at the way cars and engines are held together with everything but duct tape (only because it doesn’t exist here) and still run - well, at least walk. Similarly, there is no load limit for any vehicle as long as it can still move. I’ve seen burros so loaded they looked like a walking hay stack, cars with more people than the clown car at a circus, and motorcycles . . . well you’d have to see it to believe it. Ladders, bicycles, wheel barrows, trailers, family of 5, satellite dish, big TV’s. Two days ago I saw a man carrying a full-grown, live goat in his lap on a motorcycle. And here, anything over 150cc’s is too big. I also learned that sometimes the safest place to stop IS in the middle of the road. In places there are so many potholes that people drive on the shoulder. If you have a flat you pull off the shoulder into the road to fix it. But perhaps one of the most amazing lessons one can learn in a third world country is the meaning of "generosity". I cannot count the times I have visited and seen someone who has nothing, go out and borrow food to offer us. We are often rather pragmatic in our offering and receiving help. I was once carrying two rather heavy car parts from one shop to another when someone I had seen but didn’t know rushed by to get into the bank before it closed at 3 pm. When he saw me he wanted to give me a ride and, though I suggested he do his business while the bank was open first, he insisted on taking me right then. That’s a tough act to beat. Yet we are here to share with them the greatest act of love and mercy that could ever be shown. A God whose love for unlovable sinners found a way for His mercy to satisfy His righteousness through the sacrifice of his perfect Son. For all the differences that are so interesting to us, let us never forget the most important similarity. "For there is none other name…whereby we must be saved." In letters past I have requested prayer for rain. Though they came late this year, they came well. What a joy it was to drive through regions that were chopping cactus to feed to animals and see it all green and watered. I finally had to stop and take a series of pictures to blend into a panorama shot. Those of us accustomed to the dry northeast, it looks like a picture from somewhere else. Thanks for your prayers I also want to communicate the passing on of one of our family members. Having worked long and hard well beyond retirement age, our beloved friend moved on at the ripe old age of 36. That’s pretty old for a car. Trusty Rusty served us well for 8 years (I closed the deal the day our youngest was born). I immediately regretted selling it, but the way the doors opened with perfect timing seemed to indicate the Lord’s hand. The new wheels (’99) still haven’t come yet after almost 2 weeks so we’re making do on bikes and a borrowed, home-made mini-truck. Hopefully the new car will spend less time visiting the local mechanics. I’m still not sure I made the right decision, especially in our financial situation, but the price was such that I should be able to sell it with out loss. Time will tell. And speaking of time, it’s almost time for furlough. I’ve put it off for as long as I can, but the inevitable is, well . . . inevitable. Furlough requires a lot of prayer and planning. Imagine shutting down everything you do and packing up everything you own, living out of suitcases for a year, and then going back to pick up the pieces. I have a hard enough time recovering from a couple of days of "vacation"! That’s part of the reason we plan on only 6 months. Our congregation will suffer greatly in our absence due to a lack of men, and new projects and ministries are awkward to start knowing they must die soon. We need your prayers. On the other hand it will be good to see you again. Time will be tight so we need your help planning ahead. I’m already accepting dates on a first-come-first-serve basis so please look at your calendar and count us in. I plan to stay a little longer to help with the big year-end retreat, but Michele and the boys are looking to come late December. By the time we get the display ready we should be available late January through June at least. One last matter which I must include in this letter is a special project planned for mid-July, 2008. A group of Americans are coming to participate in the Aventura Brasil project. One of the planned activities is a free camp on the Island for poorer children. We are trying to recruit candidates but it isn’t easy. Though we’ve been here four years, distrust is common. After passing out pamphlets and talking to parents, one irate mom called to yell at me that I couldn’t have her children, I’d have to get someone else’s to carry off to America. Pray for the right group – enough but not too many- safety, especially in this windy season, and above all, for fruit from our labors – that the Holy Spirit of God might grab the hearts of these young ones before the devil makes a mess of their lives. Until next time we are Yours in Him, The Athas in Brazil THIS JUST IN: as I was writing this letter a call came in that the car we bought is in the next city where I am to pick it up. Still got some details to work out, but it was a pleasant surprise!