Tuesday, November 07, 2006

One thousand missed opportunities

I don't often talk about what it's like to be a mssionary here in Brazil. I confess that the wonder of the country and the culture are so interesting that I find myself sharing these details on the blog most of the time. However, we are missionaries, and our hearts are still focused on serving the Lord in a discipleship ministry here.

October was missions month at our church, and one of the missionaries who spoke to us was a lady who organizes Christians to teach Christianity in the public schools. Here in Brazil, they actually encourage people to teach about God (although they're not fussy about which "flavour" you're presenting - which can be a problem.) They don't pay these teachers, but they do give them a title and a real opportunity to minister to the students. The door is wide open to share the love of Jesus Christ with these children. However, the opportunity is being wasted.

We learned that in the city of Sao Paulo alone (the problem is similar for the rest of Brazil) there are 1000 schools that are REQUESTING a teacher to share the truths of the Bible. Why do these vacancies exist? Because in Brazil there are many who claim to have had a conversion experience, but who have not had anyone to disciple them. They don't feel adequate to teach others.

That's why Shannon and I are so passionate about serving the Lord here in Brazil. We are graduating about 25-30 students each year who have been discipled, and who COULD serve as teachers in these schools. Of course, most will not, but hopefully they will disciple others who will disciple others as well.

Thank you for being a part in our ministry here. The work we are doing is vital. The window of opportunity is open, but one never knows for how long. Just look at what is going on in Venezuela right now. Their doors may close at any time to the Gospel. Please pray for us that we will be effective in discipling others here in Brazil.