by Randal Matheny, in Sao Jose dos Campos, Brazil 28 August 2002

Note: SJC is an abbreviation for the city where we live and work, Sao Jose dos Campos.

Transformation in Salvador

This story has been posted already here.

Course in Jundiai

Fourth time around for the Transformation course was in the city of Jundiai August 23-25, a couple of hours away here in São Paulo state. Thirty-one attended Friday night, with 25 on Saturday.

One man who found the course especially helpful was Marcelo, a new convert of one month. During lunch and intervals we talked at length about the Christian life, and he shared his spiritual journey with me.

Flavio considered the course "very direct and intelligent." And Katia said it "made me see everything in a totally new light."

We were blessed to stay with our friends Alexandre and Yoshie Pestana.

During the course, on Saturday, I celebrated yet another birthday.

As planned, we made it back to SJC just in time for me to teach the adult Bible class on "The Prayer of Thanksgiving" in the series "An Hour with God."

Valeria faces mastectomy

On Wednesday, the 14th, Valeria da Silva, a young mother in the congregation, underwent surgery for breast cancer. Lea Silva (no relation), Vicki, and I visited her and her husband Clayton the night before to encourage them and pray with them. The day of the surgery, Vicki and I traveled to Taubate, 40 minutes from SJC, and prayed with Valeria before her surgery, and sat with Clayton and Valeria's mother Deolinda.

Were we surprised to see her at church the next Sunday! This unfortunate experience has driven her to greater intimacy with the Lord and a greater devotion to spiritual things.

Vicki, Elida, and Lane, all from the SJC congregation, went to visit her the 27th and came away very encouraged.

Attendance up

After the July holiday slump, our Sunday attendance has improved. I missed the August 4 count, but there were 44 on the 11th, 61 on the 18th, and 57 on the 25th. Average total attendance for the month was 54.

Our three mid-week evangelistic home groups studies need to improve. Attendance per week was 10, 31, 15, and 30, for an average of 22 people per week. One group is not meeting regularly, and another missed one week.

Otavio Carvalho is studying with one family where the wife is a Christian, but the husband and adolescent son are not. He should conclude that study soon.

Vicki will begin a study Sunday with a young lady named Joelia.

Meetings and such

I made a quick trip to the city of Mococa, in the northern part of the state, on Saturday, the 17th, for a meeting of the Christian camp's overseeing council. The council president lives there, so we met at his home this time. I had to go alone, so the three-hour trip seemed long by the time I got home.

Last year, we on the board of directors finished our second term and recommended a new group begin work. Several of us moved by invitation to the council, which oversees the board's work.

The 31st the men of the SJC congregation will have their second meeting to plan next year's National Christian Worker's Encounter.

Wedding Celebration

Vicki and I took an overnight trip north of town to a mountain resort, where we celebrated our wedding anniversary on the 3rd. It was just an hour and a half away, but that short breather gave us time to reflect on 23 years of married life.

Leila and I swimming

Occasionally I take out time to accompany the kids in their activities, watching the boys play in a basketball game, for example. This month, shortly after Father's Day, the swimming school had a special event for fathers and their kids, so Leila and I jumped in the pool and played "soccer" with a watermelon and other wet games.

Wrap-up

Please pray for these tidbits of news, that in each moment and situation, the Lord may be glorified by our work and lives.

Thanks for your prayers, support, and encouragement. May our Lord bless your efforts.

Randal & family E-mail: randalm @ uol.com.br

Mailing Address: Caixa Postal 11 Sao Jose dos Campos, SP 1220-970 - Brazil

Tel.: (11-55-12) 3942-7753