Thursday, July 18, 2013

Thursday evening, late, from Taiobeiras, MG, Brasil

We arrived in Taiobeiras at 3:00 am on the 18th of July, slept 3 hours, then went straight to work. It is now 10:53 pm the same day - and, needless to say, we are very tired. Yet, be certain we are each bolstered in spirit by the amazing response we have received in every place we served today.  

This same day I was privileged to address 2 schools of 150 and 300 teens respectively. Jairo Campos, our resident missionary and leader/founder of the P70 initiative, had prearranged this opportunity as part of our plans for this years mission. The subject and objective was sexual education and us leading a discussion over the issue of abortion. Here in Brasil, though abortion is illegal it is very common for those who can afford it, for those who can't, well... the debate rages on. As we shared, the teachers and director of each school informed us that over 70 percent of their students (13-15 year olds) are sexually active. 

To start, Jairo spoke about the laws of man versus moral law, and, after a lot of music (me singing and playing on my guitar some good old American rock and roll) we ended our time with me having the privilege of sharing about the heart (conscience) of each person - and whether, and how, it can be changed. The kids agreed it could, and that's when I was blessed to tell them how. "Only God can change a heart', I said. "The same One who writes His law on our hearts, comes, in Christ, to redeem our hearts and give us a "new conscience." Needless to say, as each teacher thanked us for helping them with this issue, I shuddered thinking of how far our own country is fallen away in such things back home. Yes, it was an amazing day. But not just because we were able to talk about the choice of abortion or not, but because we talked about Christ - the answer that is sorely needed - and the One who saves. 

Please continue to pray for our team. Our first city registered over 390 professions of faith - and Glen Sampson presented to the pastor of the church, there, the names of all the persons he and his church members will follow up on. We prayed over the names - and over the pastor and church - then said  our goodbye - for now - joyful that heaven will be our next time to see each other again. 
Deus Abencoe, 

Pastor Sam 

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