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Note: You can download the PDF version of this report at randal.fastmail.fm

Brazilian Zeal

2 November 2004 • São José dos Campos (SP) Brazil • Monthly report • J. Randal Matheny

‘The Jesus We All Need’

After preaching a series of sermons in the new Taubaté church on “The Jesus Brazil Needs,” the Guarulhos church, in the greater São Paulo area, chose this theme for my time with them on October 23.

Some 40 people participated in the five-hour event.

Valdir Silva, from the Pimentas congregation (planted by the Guarulhos church in the same city), liked it so much, he’s using the material for a series in his congregation and has invited me to speak there at least once in November or December.

For an idea of this series see my article “The Jesus We All Need” in Forthright Magazine: forthright.antville.org

When Jesus praises people

October 31, I finished up the sermon series “Compliments Jesus Paid” in the Taubaté congregation.

In the SJC church, I’m also preaching this semester, getting near the end of a series on the list of words in Philippians 4:8. Earlier, I preached a series on gospel summaries in the NT.

In our Sunday Bible school at SJC, I’ve been leading a study of missions since July. This is important for us in a region of millions with so few Christians.

Studies held in city without church

In our entire region only two churches meet, in SJC and Taubaté. Our brother Jorge and Paula Santana are teaching relatives of Paula’s and neighbors of theirs in their home town of Guaratinguetá. (For a map of our region, see the PDF report.)

On October 16, Vicki, Leila, and I visited this study group as I encouraged the 10 people present to be the firstfruits in that city of some 100,000.

No pics this report

Joel served at the Mt. Of Olives Christian camp in July, camped his last time during the third week (for 14-17 yr. olds), and joined several others for an experimental fourth week.

It was during the latter period, with few people and no security guards, that someone stole into camp and carried off our digital camera. So we don’t have any pictures to share this report.

No takers, so I’m doing it

Our websites were in desperate need of work, so since nobody volunteered (and it’s hard to comandeer help from thousands of miles away), I’m working hard on updating them with new software.

One great possibility is offering online courses for minsterial training to Brazilians Christians. I successfully installed a program, used by universities and colleges world-wide, that manages courses, teachers, and students in one excellent package.

You can get a preview of the online course site here: alcanceweb.com

Now to get teachers to put their courses online! Pray this may be a useful tool for the Kingdom.

Edification Magazine

We’re working hard to keep the magazine published. Due to problems and sickness, the printer kept one issue an entire month. Doesn’t help our schedule much.

Another regional oportunity

On October 24 a Christian couple visited us at the SJC congregation who had moved from São Paulo to the coast city of São Sebastião. They have had some Sunday meetings, but hope to begin something regularly. So we have yet another point in our region to work and establish the gospel. (For a map of our region, see the PDF report.)

SJC men meet monthly

The men began a monthly meeting in September, at the same time as the women, on the fourth Saturday of each month. Both groups meet at 3 p.m. for study and prayer. The first meeting in September, I led the study. Since I was gone to Guarulhos em October, Otavio Carvalho coordenated that month’s meeting.

Writing for a construction magazine, of all things

A man who picked up some of our material which we’d left in a store contacted me to write a column for his new construction magazine for our region.

The first issue was published in September, and my column focused on “voting” for He who changes lives. Sepember was election month in Brazil, as voters chose mayors and aldermen.

I hope to have a pdf version of the cover of the magazine and of the page of my article, and will post it on the BZeal page as soon as I receive it from the editor.

This represents yet another opportunity to place the good news in hands that otherwise would never have heard it.

Women’s Conference

Vicki and Leila participated October 29-30 at the women’s conference in São Paulo, with 10 other ladies from the SJC and Taubaté congregations. Reports are upwards of 400 women attended.

Family focus

Joel and Leila both finished up another year of school at the end of October. I’ve taken Leila out for ice cream – our standard celebration procedure–, but Joel is still waiting for his.

Vicki had surgery on her face to remove a skin cancer, but aside from a small bandage she’s wearing for three months, all went well.

She’ll have another small growth removed November 4. In mid-September, Vicki and I started walking at 6 a.m. every morning except Sundays.

Leila has been giving flute recitals with her music school in various locations, and in November she’ll be in the group to play in the old City Hall.

Micah started his second year at Freed-Hardeman University. Having passed the culture shock stage, he’s finding it more pleasant that the first year.

Orphanage ups and downs

The Lar Cristão orphanage sponsored the first Regional Encounter for Gospel Workers August 14. About 40 men from nine congregations were present.

October 10 the Lar Cristão inaguarated a new cottage that will hold up to 10-12 children.

The following Sunday, 17, however, a storm did over $1000 damage to various buildings. Thankfully, no children or employees were harmed.

Several area churches have sent help to repair the damages. If you would be interested in helping also, please contact us.

The Brazilian Zeal newsletter reports on the work of the J. Randal Matheny family in the city of São José dos Campos (São Paulo state), located between São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.

Mailing Address: Caixa Postal 11 – São José dos Campos, SP – 12201-970 Brazil

Telephone: home: 011-55-12 3942-7753; office: 011-55-12 3949-1246

Email: brazil@randalmatheny.com

Web site: randalmatheny.com

Sponsor: Center Hill church of Christ, Paragould, Ark. 870-239-8032

Supporting churches

Center Hill, Paragould, Ark. (sponsor) 870-239-8032 Acton, Michie, Tenn. Baker Heights, Abilene, Tex. Iuka, Miss. Lemalsamac, Newbern, Tenn. Mtn. Home, Paragould, Ark. Somers Avenue, North Little Rock, Ark.

Note: You can download the PDF version of this report at randal.fastmail.fm

BZeal focuses on the progress of the gospel in Brazil and around the world. Please share this email with friends.