Saturday evening, Taiobeiras, MG, Brasil

God's work is not always easy, but it is what we are called to do. The 3 days in Taiobeiras were grueling as to schedule, but very effective for the people with whom we were able to share.  Frankly, having us Americans in town simply opened a door of opportunity that would not have been realized otherwise. To use a phrase, we were 'the candy.' So that our team was given oportunity to share the gospel with over 2000 children and teens in these 3 days. This was over and above our work with VBS, community visitation, and our medical-social team. And that was simply amazing.

Thinking of it all, we should give praise to God for what He has done through the parkwayhills relationship/partnership with the P70 church planting and strengthening initiative to Minas Gerais, Brasil. This relationship dates back to early 2006 when myself, Glen Sampson and Chris Davenport took a first tour of the area - joined by a host of Brasilian pastors and church leaders. The area 'surveyed' has now become home to our church's ministry and new church plants. And this week, in working with 2 churches from 'our' region of North Minas Gerais, we were able to record over 600 profeessions of faith and realize many more hearing the gospel and receiving Christ in our school presentations that were not counted, save by God.  So that eternity will tell that story - and what a great reunion it will be.  

So we do give thanks this year to those who were able to go from parkwayhills- Chris, Craig, Claire & Dave Davenport, Carla Cox, Debbie Irons, Glen Sampson, Belinda Dennis, Jim & Kathy Spalding, Joyce Gant - as well as to the many parkwayhills members who made and packed critical supplies, to those who gave over and above their tithes critical financial support - including this year's parkwayhills ph-kids VBS who gave, to the many who gave their prayer support and to parkwayhillls church as a whole for faithfully investing a percentage of each weeks general offering to fund this critical, life-changing, work.  

Pictured here is Miss Daniele Ferreria (Dany) 14 years of age. Dany accepted Christ in Indiabira MG, Brasil, when we were there 4 years ago.  She was only 10, then, but on Saturday evening, as we were leaving, Dany walked up and asked me for a picture - saying she had been saved one night as I was preaching in her town four years earlier.  I was thrilled to meet and see Dany, then learn she is now part of this very same work - taking the gospel to other young people of Minas Gerais. I smiled, said 'absolutely', and thought, 'How beautiful are the feet of they (those) who preach the gospel of peace.'  (Romans 10:15, cf. Isaiah 52:7)

Keep on Dany! And, ... Deus Abencoe, indeed - 

Pastor Sam 

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 

July 17 - Last Day in Pedra Azul

When I come to Brasil It is always good to meet new friends but I am especially excited to see fellow church members do the same. Pictured here is long-time parkwayhills member, Joyce Gant, holding a new friend - a baby just 1 month old.  We are singing and Joyce is patting the child's back to the rhythm of God's praise. Heaven will be like this - where we make new friends not based on geography or age, but upon our common bond in Christ.

Thus far, in 2 days through last night, there are registered 191 professions of faith in Christ in Pedro Azul.  And we heard this morning from Boto Murim of near the same number of profession there. Many of these come from preaching points - either at the Praca, in Parks, or in our evening services - but a vast majority occur as our evangelistic teams go out, making conversation on streets and in the homes of any and all who will talk with them. 

As well, our VBS team - led by Debbie Irons - has worked in 3 different Escolas (schools) with amazingly full cooperation of local teachers and educators.  We have provided the children with games, crafts and the gospel - and many have prayed to receive Christ when given a gospel bracelet. And though we do not record their numbers in our decision counts - they will remain under the watchful eye of a local pastor, who will follow up with each child and their families in helping them on their way to Christ. How exciting it is to walk about the town, though, and see these precious children wearing their bracelets, and listen as many are able to explain what each color means - repeating back the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

As I close today, please pray for our final evening service in Pedra Azul, and for the 4 hour bus ride afterwards to our next town, Taioberas, where early in the morning the same hard, but marvelous, routine will begin again.  

Deus Abencoe, 

Pastor Sam

Tuesday Morning - Pedra Azul, MG, Brasil

There is so much to tell - but let me get a few things out of the way up front.  First, no, I am not mispelling Brazil, but prefer using the Brazilian spelling of this word because it is what I constantly see here. Plus, I like to say Brazil with the S sound - it's oh so Portuguese.  :-)

Second, the letters, MG, are simply an abbreviation for the state we are in - and in which we work,  In fact, we have worked here for the last 8 years - in the North most portion of this large state - developing our adopted 'micro-region' in which many P-70 (a word for the organization and movement) Baptist churches have now been planted. Needless to say, it is exciting for me to meet pastors and people, many of whom were converts from the earliest days of our mission, now serving Christ and the cause of this initiative.

Now each morning I teach our team from Paul's leter to the church at Ephesus. It is letter that is most applicable in helping our team understand the power they have been given in Christ and their calling unto good works - the principle of which is the gospel.  Of course we always sing, and it is good to see our fellow Americans enjoying this special time before we go out to serve our LORD for the day.

This year our team from ParkwayHills consists of 11 persons, and here in Pedro Azul we are joined with members from FBC Ft. Worth.  In addition, Pastor Brad Martin - one time worship pastor of ParkwayHills, and now the Senior Pastor of Shady Oaks Baptist church of Hurst - is leading a team from his church in a smaller city approximately 150 kilometers to our west and south.

Please continue to pray for our team - and for the team in Boto Murim led by Pastor Brad.  Yesterday over 25 persons confessed Christ as their Savior here, and we expect that number to be exceeded many times over before we leave here in 2 days for our next town.

Deus Abencoe,

Pastor Sam

Monday Morning from Pedra Azul, Brasil

We awakened this morning to a gloriously beautiful day. Outside, the very center of our sky was blue, and atop the mountains - on either side of our valley - was a covering of thin clouds about to clear away, as if the night blanket over this glorious landscape were being pulled back for us to enjoy. What a sight!

Last night we went to the Praca (town square) to sing songs and share.  I preached a brief and simple message about Zacheus.  I shared his story by telling the people that he was a little man with a great need, a curious man willing to climb a tree, and a blessed man who took Jesus home.

In many ways we are all like Zacheus - even those of us who are tall - for we ALL are in need.  Likewise, we often climb a tree to watch.  However, far too often, we simply ONLY watch - feeling safe in our tree called curious.  So... I called them to take Jesus home! Saying, 'today - salvation is come to their house!'

I wonder, today, if we might realize this in Plano, as well. Would WE come down and take Jesus home? That is certainly where the blessing is. Indeed, taking Jesus home, following him in all we do is where the blessing will always be found. That was true for Zacheus and it will be true for us.

Would you pray that our VBS team will be 'faithful' and have 'no fear' as they minister to hundreds of children today. And please pray for our service  tonight, as well - that the people we have invited to come, will.  Also, that many souls will come to Christ.  For Jesus has come to Pedra Azul, and He wants to enter many houses and hearts today - including mine and yours.

Deus Abencoe

Pastor Sam

D-DAY - June 6, 1944

On this 69th Anniversary of D-Day, June 6 1944, I remember my Uncle - Homer Van Dennis. He was my Dad's nearest, older brother by 7 years, and served in the United States Army. He was a good-looking man with ready smile, who survived the beach landing and invasion at Normandy, France.  In the summer of 1968 - the year I graduated from High School – Uncle Homer died after suffering a massive heart attack while mowing his yard in the Lake Highlands area of Dallas.  Before his funeral his wife shared that, though her husband appeared gregarious, carefree and successful in every way, he actually suffered from a recurring nightmare - even on the night before his death –and be startled awake dreaming of his army buddies falling around him as they stormed the beaches and struggled up the cliffs of Normandy.  It seems that like so many others of that experience, he lived under a constant struggle and eerie sense of guilt that he’d survived ‘hell’ while so many others did not.

Uncle Homer never had children of his own but always showed great love to his nieces and nephews.  He bought me my first store-bought suit - from Reynolds Penland of Dallas – a high mark of quality and pride for a boy from Garland, Texas.  He was one of my childhood heroes - and still is - and so I remember him and those other ‘boys’ today – both those who fell and those who survived a day that turned the course of World War, and history, forever!

Pastor Sam Dennis
http://www.army.mil/d-day/

"After the Storm"

A mile-wide thunderstorm cut through south central Oklahoma yesterday afternoon leaving in its wake devastation, destruction and loss of life.  Once again it was Moore Oklahoma, my wife's hometown, that seemed to suffer the storm's brunt.  As of this morning 24 are reported dead, and, today, sifting through the rubble stunned at the mass of destruction, residents can only be amazed this number is not more.

Belinda graduated from Moore High School in 1971.  She was a cheerleader and active in the community and at the First Baptist Church. She has many friends who live in Moore, as well as her sister, sister's family and Dad. So, needless to say, we were anxious last night as we awaited news from each of them.

As the evening dragged on we learned our loved ones were all safe, suffering but the loss of an office building to the brother of our brother-in-law. Unfortunately this was not the case for all else - as among the deceased were seven children who had futilely tried to take cover in their elementary school now destroyed.

Now today our forecast calls for the possibility of more storms - so that feelings among us are tenuous, at best.  How do the residents of Moore face this day?  Even more, how do those who minister there - pastors and counselors - help people deal with life events after one such as this, so dramatic and devastating?

The Psalmist writes, teach us to 'number our days' (Psalm 90:12), meaning teach us, LORD, to treat them with care and not take them for granted. Certainly this is part of our answer.  Who wouldn't come away from a life event like that in Moore with a more sober reflection on life.  But... the Bible also teaches our days (times) rest in the hand of the LORD (Psalm 31:15), leaving us a conundrum. Are we to do both? To 'take care' and, yet, 'not' worry?  If this is so, how can we?

I think there is only one way we can be careful absent of worry, and it is through the Lordship of Christ. A vibrant relationship with Jesus births a preciousness to life that centers us on sharing His gospel. While doing so, this also lifts us from the burden of over-concern and worry.  In short, as His children we find our comfort by serving His purpose while absolutely knowing He is in charge with our best interest at hand.

To care about life as a Christian, then, is to be careful about our days so they might count for the sake of the gospel. This is the opposite of worshipping life for life sake, and it is a model freeing us from worry.  Indeed, we 'cast our care upon Him' confidently, knowing, 'He cares for us.'

Storms will come, we can be sure of this. But, as we suffer their tumult and help others with the same, let us remember to keep this perspective to life clear - that we be careful with our time without caring more for our time than Him.

Blessings,

Pastor Sam