Ministry Pastor's Blog

Jason and I are back from Brazil and it is nice to be home. We had a great time working alongside a local church in San Jose de Campos (about an hour away from Sao Paolo) spreading the message of S.H.A.P.E. and "Every Member a Minister." Approximately 600 Senior Pastors flooded the worship center of Primera Igreja Baptista de San Jose de Campos each of them appearing eager to learn. The translation, which we thought would be difficult and time-constraining, couldnt have been more smooth and the hospitality and friendliness of the folks over there was second to none!

Our favorite part of the trip came on our last night in Brazil. Jason and I finished teaching around 5pm or so (local time) and the church began preparing for an encore performance of their Easter Musical. Jason and I had already seen it on DVD early in the week, so we asked to go back to our hotel to relax, nap, freshen up, etc. We were scheduled to have dinner with the entire group of folks who had brought us in, and they said that they would pick us up 10pm. (yes, you read that right - they eat dinner SUPER late in Brazil)

Our translator/driver/host/new best friend Hugo (pictured above) showed up at 10pm to pick us up for dinner, but to our surprise he was without the rest of the group. He quickly notified us that something had come up and that all of the pastors of the church were being gathered for a meeting. Needless to say, we were a little disappointed, but still excited to hang out and enjoy a delicious Brazilian Barbecue with our friend Hugo. As we sat at dinner and got to know one another better, Hugo quickly revealed that,on average, he works 16-20 hour days and that sometimes he doesnt sleep at all.

It was apparent that at 29 years of age, (with a wife and three small children) Hugo was already showing signs of burnout! Hugo has a full-time job as the Bass Trombone player for the Sao Paolo Orchestra, as well as a part-time job at the church as one of their Music Directors. He told us that the orchestra job is what pays the bills, but that his role at the church is what fills his heart. He longed to be with his wife and children, yet the constraints of work and ministry filled the hours of his day.

Apparently this is the culture of much of Brazil. The work days are long for those in business, but the work days are even longer for those in ministry. Please stop and pray for Hugo, and our brothers/sisters in Brazil. Brazil is a country which is in desperate need of our Saviour and we have friends there who are working hard to spread the news!