Two new books on sale

We both continue to edit and translate books for the Brazilian church. (This is not our only ministry activity, but it is probably the main event right now.)

I was the editor for the Manual de primeiros socorros para ministério com jovens e adolescentes (Emergency Response Handbook for Youth Ministries).  The book is aimed at youth leaders and parents, providing an overview of 12 different crises facing youth today. Each chapter gives practical ideas for helping students at their points of need.

My job included checking the accuracy of the translation and making some minor adaptations for the Brazilian context. Unlike most books, for this one I wrote an additional chapter which addressed a crisis which is more acute for youth in Brazil: employment.

Lalia's strong suit is translation from English to Portuguese.  Another one of her literary "children" just came off the press: Zooclopédia: 52 mensagens e lições bíblicas do mundo animal (Zoopedia: 52 Bible lessons from the animal world).  This book is aimed at teachers of children from 6 to 11 years, and provides step-by-step lesson instructions.  It is gratifying to know that the many hours invested in crafting a good Portuguese translation are now making a difference for teachers all over Brazil!

The Creator's Majesty, Part 2

"...since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse." Romans 1:20 NIV

While Lalia and I were walking inside our condominium grounds today, we were attracted by the beauty of these orchids.  

Joy delayed is not joy denied

I have to admit that there might be some redeeming value in shopping.  Before you think I've gone off the deep end, read on...

Lalia recently visited a women's clothing store recommended by a friend.  Since the shopping experience is as much about social interaction as it is about keeping up on the latest trends, she had soon struck up a friendship with the owner.

To make a long story short, the store owner told Lalia of another friend who had her life transformed at a Christmas tea several years ago. Her old paradigms were turned upside down.  

She had never heard anyone talk that way about Mary, the mother of Jesus. Normally, Baptists and other Protestants in Brazil relegate Mary to the footnotes of their Bibles.  But that afternoon someone gave Mary her rightful place in history and the Scriptures, praised Mary for the right reasons, and ultimately pointed to her Savior and Lord.

The person who delivered the Bible message at that Christmas tea was Lalia.  More than 3 years later, we were able to rejoice, because of what God's Spirit had done.

  

"...we had to celebrate and be glad, because this [sister] of yours was dead and is alive again; [she] was lost and is found."  Luke 15:32

THE CREATOR'S MAJESTY UP CLOSE

During a WorldVenture leadership training event this week, we sang and talked and prayed about God's majesty. Yesterday, we saw a part of it--up close and personal. The photos here are a meager glimpse of that glory at Iguaçu Falls, on the border between Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina.

In the bottom photo, Lalia laughs with Sylvia Engel (WorldVenture, Caracas, Venezuela) on the train inside the Argentine national park.