THE QUILOMBOLAS of Brazil

         The Quilombolas of Brazil are descendents of African runaway slaves that founded their own villages and returned to the customs of their mother land. Aprox. 95% of 2,800 plus Quilombos (i.e.Villages of the Quilombola people) in Brazil are in tucked away places in the middle of nowhere, on islands, peninsulas, near swamps, places of drought, deep wooded, and jungle areas.

·      Quilombos are found in 22 of Brazil’s 26 states. 

             Their remote location has made them a “forgotten people”, with little or no political clout to better their misery level circumstances. Most Quilombolas live in a state of absolute poverty or in extreme conditions. Worms, scabies, and malnutrition are common problems due to the lack of hygiene and  proper nutrition.

·                             Many Quilombolas are all extended family, with the possible exception of an outsider becoming a common law spouse to a Quilombola. Most Quilombolas do not officially marry.  Therefore, many of the men and women have several common law spouses within a lifetime. Quilombolas generally have common law marriages with their relatives. Incest takes place in many Quilombos.

·                             We have never seen a computer in a Quilombo. We have only seen one senior high school, grades 9-11, in a Quilombo.             The vast majority of Quilombolas appear to have never traveled outside of their village.  The exceptions are men and women who are contracted for manual labor for three to four months in various industries in major cities.

·                       Their greatest need is Spiritual. Most live in fear of spirits,  incantations,  and in extreme spiritual darkness. Their eternity hinges on hearing the Gospel.

      Pray that the Quilombolas will be reached with the Gospel. This is an enormous challenge. Pray for Keith and Deborah Jefferson as they lead the Quilombo Team in Brazil. Pray for more workers for the harvest. You may be one of those God is calling. Pray with an open heart. Pray, please  Pray! 

INDIGENOUS of Brazil

           There are still 227 Unreached Indigenous groups in Brazil totaling approximately 700,000 people. There are 593 restricted areas marked off for Indigenous Peoples. Right at 50% of these live in Urban situations. There are specific Brazilian laws that complicate this work for any group trying to reach these groups.
          All of that said, each of these groups must be reached with the Gospel. Each group must have the opportunity to hear, understand, and respond. For which group will you and your church take responsibility? Find out how your church can be a Strategy Coordinator Church to reach one of these groups. The Great Commission is the responsibility of every Christian and every Church. Click the name of each group listed below and read the "link" as you pray for each one.....

Aikanã Aikewara Akuntsu Amanayé Anambé Aparai Apiaká Apinajé Apurinã Arapaso Arara Arara do Rio Branco Arara Shawãdawa Araweté Arikapu Aruá AshaninkaAsurini do Tocantins Asurini do Xingu Atikum Avá-Canoeiro Aweti Bakairi Banawá Baniwa Bará Barasana Bororo Canela ChiquitanoCinta larga Coripaco Deni Desana Djeoromitxí Dow Enawenê-nawê Etnias do Rio Negro Fulni-ô Galibi do Oiapoque Galibi-Marworno Gavião ParkatêjêGavião Pykopjê Guajá Guajajara Guarani Kaiowá Guarani Mbya Guarani Ñandeva Guató Hupda Ikolen IkpengIngarikó Iranxe Manoki Jamamadi Jarawara Jenipapo-Kanindé Jiahui Juma Ka'apor Kadiwéu Kaiabi Kaingang Kalapalo Kamaiurá Kambeba KanamariKanoê Kantaruré Karajá Karajá do Norte Karapanã Karipuna de Rondônia Karipuna do Amapá Karitiana Karo Katukina do Rio Biá Katukina Pano Kaxarari Kaxinawá KaxuyanaKayapó Kinikinau Kiriri Kisêdjê Kokama Kotiria Krahô Krenak Kubeo Kuikuro Kulina Kwazá Maku Makuna Makurap Makuxi Manchineri Marubo MatipuMatis Matsés Maxakali Mehinako Menky Manoki Miranha Mirity-tapuya Munduruku Nadob Nahukuá Nambikwara Nawa Nukini Ofaié Palikur Panará PankaruParakanã Parintintin Pataxó Hã-Hã-Hãe Paumari Pirahã Pira-tapuya Pitaguary Rikbaktsa Sakurabiat Sateré Mawé Siriano Surui Paiter Tapeba Tapirapé TarianaTaurepang Tembé Tenharim Terena Ticuna Timbira Tiriyó Torá Trumai Tukano Tumbalalá Tupari Tupiniquim Tuyuka Umutina Uru-Eu-Wau-WauWaimiri Atroari Waiwai Wajãpi Wajuru Wapixana Wari' Waujá Wayana Xerente Xetá Xikrin Kayapó Xingu Xipaya Xokleng YaminawáYanomami Yawalapiti Yawanawá Ye'kuana Yudjá Yuhupde Zo'é Zoró Zuruahã

CARNIVAL IN SALVADOR

     Every year in the city of Salvador Bahia Brazil during Carnival ( Mardi Gras) approximately 2million people come into the city for a 5-6 day street Carnival. Music, dancing, drinking, and most anything else you can imagine continues almost non-stop. "Trio-electricos"( sound trucks the size if a Tractor-trailer rig with a stage on the top) pass one after the other followed by thousands of followers drinking and dancing. It never stops!
      This is where the fun begins. Teams of volunteers that work out of area churches spend 10-15 hours every night (3PM - 5AM) doing street evangelism. Music, Florescent Paint talks, drama groups, Etc work together to present Jesus to thousands who would never enter a church.
      We begin with a numbers game to get a crowd. Then an Illustrated Message of the Cross with an invitation. Then our "counselors" work one-on-one to lead to a decision. Each "inquirer" receives a packet with a tract, contact card, mail-back card for a free Bible or video, list of churches, Etc. Every name is processed and made available to any church that wants it.

      It is amazing how many begin to watch the presentation as hecklers and end up with tear filled eyes praying to receive Christ. It is amazing that the simple message of "The Cross" can still change any person, any time, any where. That is because there is not any person, any where that does not need Jesus.

Here is why...
1. We were Created to have intimacy with God. (John 1:12/John 10:10)
2. We lost that intimacy by disobedience (Sin). This sin created a barrier between Us and God. (Romans 3:23/ Romans 6:23)
3. We can not get through the Sin-Barrier by Righteous Acts, the Religious Arts, or Rational Acrobatics. You just can't Un-Sin. (Rom 5:8)
4. Christ did what we could not do. He died on a cross and Paid in full our Sin-penalty. He Arose from the grave and He is alive now and is ready to actually forgive you. (Romans 10:9-10)

How do you do this? It is as easy as A,B,C
A-Agree with God that you have sinned. (I John 1:9)
B-Believe that Jesus Christ can and will save you (Romans 10:9-10)
C-Confess Jesus as your Lord and Savior for now and all eternity. (Romans 10:13)

In doing this you are turning away from trusting in your self or anything else and turning to Jesus alone for salvation. This is called Repentance. ( Luke 13:3.5, ROmans 10:9-10)


     Now there is a reason to Party!

INTEGRITY

"The Integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them." Prov. 11:3

Who comes to your mind when someone mentions "Integrity"? Better yet, What is "Integrity"? Did you know there is a difference between "Character" ( Integrity) and "Reputation"? Dwight L. Moody says that "character is what a man is when no one is looking" Most folks don't know the difference between the two. Character is more important than Reputation. Someone else can ruin your reputation but only you can ruin your character.

The word "Integrity" comes from the same word as "Integer". If you remember from Math class. An Integer is a whole number with no fractions, decimals, "untouched"not divided.[ i.e. "A person that is "One" in what he thinks, says and does.".]

Integrity actually involves three integrated steps.
1. Discerning the Truth - Know what is Right and what is Wrong
2. Doing the Truth - Do what is Right based on discernment even at personal cost, hurt, or lack of a following.
3. Declaring the Truth - Taking a stand to speak the truth based on what is right not what is popular, convenient, or what someone wants to hear.

For a great picture of Integrity, check out Psalm 15. Take your time. Read it slowly, and reflective. It is a great place to start!

THE BIBLE AND THE TV GUIDE

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On the table side by side

The Holy Bible and the T.V. Guide.

One is well worn, yet cherished with pride,

But that one is not the Bible, it's the T.V. Guide.

One is used daily to help folks decide, No! it isn't the Bible, it's the T.V. Guide.

As the pages are turned what shall they see? Oh! it doesn't matter, just turn on the T.V.

Then confusion is started, for they can't all agree On what they shall watch on the old T.V.

So they refer to the book in which they all confide, But it isn't the Bible, it's the T.V. Guide.

The Word of God is seldom read.Maybe a verse before they fall into bed.

Exhausted and sleepy and tired as can be,Not from reading the Bible, but from watching T.V.

Then back to the table side by side,The Holy Bible and the T.V. Guide.

No time for prayer, No time for the Word.The plan of salvation is seldom heard.

Forgiveness of sin so full and free We find in the Bible and not on T.V.

(This Poem was written by an Unknown Author. )

IS IT RIGHT/WRONG TO.......

In the Scripture, some things are crystal clear. The direct commands are hard to miss. There are other issues that are not so direct. Here we use the Principles the scripture teaches to make Right decisions. For Example: Is it right or wrong to .... 1. Drink Whiskey, Beer, Coffee, Tea (extra sweet), water..... 2. Kiss my Mother, Wife, Girlfriend, Your Girlfriend, my dog, another guy ( that is a no!).... 3. Sleep at home at night, during work hours, while driving, during a church service..... 4. Buy the best____...  5. Go in Debt... 6. Eat___.... 7. Your Question..... Put it to the test......Is it Right/Wrong? Source of Chart: "Anybody Here Know Right from Wrong", Bill Stearns, 1976 SunPower Youth Publications,  ISBN-10  0882077244 ;  ISBN-13   9780882077246   Is it Right or Wrong to ….. REFERENCE PRINCIPLE TRUE FALSE Heb. 12:1 EXCESS: It doesn't slow me down spiritualy I Cor. 6:12 EXPEDIENCE: It can be profitable, useful 1 Cor. 6:12 ENSLAVEMENT: I can be Spirit Controlled in this Rom. 14:13 EXAMPLE:It can allow me to be a good example Col. 4:5 EVANGELISM: It can help spread the Gospel 1 Cor. 10:23 EDIFICATION: It can help other Christians 1 Cor. 10:31 EXALTATION: It can Glorify God 1 John 2:6 EMULATION: I can imitate Christ in this Lev. 19:18 REVENGE: It has nothing to do with Avenging myself Matt 18:21-22 FORGIVENESS: I can demonstrate forgiveness in this Luke 12:37-48 STEWARDSHIP: I can be a good steward in this Rom 12:2 CONFORMITY: This won't conform me to the world Rom 12:10 PREFERENCE: I can put others before me in this Rom 12:18 PEACE: I can maintain Peace with others in this Rom 13:1 SUBJECTION: I can show my subjection ot authority Gal 6:10 GOODNESS: I can show goodness to others in this 1 Cor 6:19 BODY: Does this harm God's temple in any way 2 Cor 6:14 YOKE: This won't bind me to unbelievers 1 Thess5:22 APPEARANCE: I am free from evil apprarance in this 2 Tim 2:22 LUST: I am free from any chance to lust in this RIGHT WRONG ANSWER THEREFORE THIS ACTIVITY IS…..

PREACH!.. Where..How..To Whom???

Where Should the Gospel be Preached? How?, to Whom?……

Matthew  24:14 says, “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.”

I.                        A Specific Gospel “This gospel…” . The Gospel of the Kingdom.  As Paul stated in Galatians that there are others. (Gal 1: ff).

II.                     A Specific Means “Preached”. Proclaimed, i.e. clearly communicated (linguistically, culturally, Etc. ) For communication to occur the message must be received and understood. This says nothing of the response. It may be accepted or rejected

III.                     A Specific Location is mentioned, in “all the world”. This should be taken to be exactly this; ALL the world.  Every geographical location. Not just parts of India, parts of China, even parts of Brazil. Every geographical location.  Geography was mentioned in Acts 1:8 Jerusalem, Judea, unto the uttermost parts of the earth. This is geography.

IV.                    A Specific Audience, “all Nations" (peoples) ”Every person [and People(s)] must have the opportunity to hear, understand, and respond to the Gospel. No exceptions, no qualifiers, no excuses.

Basically, Every Person and every people, in every place, by every means must have every opportunity to Hear, Understand and Respond to the Gospel. 

I Corinthians 9:22 “To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak; I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some.

“And then the end will come”

         … is this the end of the world?, or the end of our mission.? Time will define this.  But, until we must clearly communicate This Gospel  to reach every person in every people group in every geographic location using every possible means. we still have much to do.