Just Arrived in Salvador

We arrived in Salvador this afternoon. Nilton (one of the local evangelists) met us at the airport. It is always good to see this young man (no longer young; he's nearly 40 now; I still remember when I got the call that an 18-year old was baptized; that was in 1986 while we were at a missionary conference). It is good to be here but we are so tired and it was hard leaving the Torch group in Recife, so it doesn't seem as good as I think it will be later on.

So many good things have happened since I wrote Sunday. I'll write about a few of them.

After Sunday supper at a Churrascaria (where they keep bringing all kinds of meat to your table; the picanha and file mignon were great) we went to the beach and sang songs (some in English, some in Portuguese) for about 15-20 minutes. With the noise of the waves and the sound of praise it was a very special time.

I spoke at Monday morning devo, trying to encourage all of us to remember that we are "too good for this world," and thus we need to live by faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. Shortly after noon, the "pew crew" finished the 10th (and final) pew for the auditorium at the camp. It was a very enjoyable work. In the evening, we sorted food and put about 25 pounds of dry goods in 150 sacks to be distributed Tuesday.

We swept the auditorium and got ready for the morning food distribution. 50 families who live near the camp were given invitations to come. We first got all the people together (seated in our new pews) and I explained who we were, what we were doing and why, and then I spoke about man living not by bread alone, but by every word that comes from God. We left the camp and went to 4 churches in Recife and delivered 25 sacks of food in each place. I was asked to speak at each of these locations, also. The people were poor, very poor, and this was enough food for a family of 5-6 people for one week. I told them how glad we were to be able to do it and they were so appreciative. It was so encouraging. We stayed up really late, since it was the last night we'd all be together. Plus there was packing to do and finishing a few projects. Bev, the real fighter that she is, stayed up until 4:30 in the morning trying to finish a painting of David and Goliath (it's about 5 feet by 8 feet). She finished it up just as we left the camp this morning.

Leaving the group today was very emotional. I said goodbye to several godly men, both young and old, with whom I shared a room (there were 7 in our room) and worked on the pews; to Jim and Irene, a deaf couple who contributed greatly; to Jorge and Danny, 2 recent SIBI graduates who are just beginning to work in Brazil; to Rod Myers, preacher from Sarasota, Florida, a man deep in spiritual thought; to Lee and Mara, two Brazilian Christian women who helped with cooking and cleaning at the camp; to Teofilo and his wife Jo, the camp caretakers, a young couple full of energy and faith; to 4 young Christian men (Bible students who can work hard and know how to have fun) who are studying at the school of preaching in Recife; and to Randy Short, missionary in Recife, who let us stay in his house, fed us, took us places, and, in general, continued to prove himself to be a good friend to us and a tireless worker for the Lord.

Tim, Evan, and Tina are still in Recife but are scheduled to arrive in Salvador early tomorrow morning.

I begin teaching The Minor Prophets tomorrow night in an instesive weekend study. Sunday should be a great day with all the churches in Salvador (I think there are 11 now) meeting together.

As I write this, the Yankees (having won 7 straight) are leading Arizona, 3-1. I just thought you would want to know I am happy this evening.

Thanks for the prayers. And remember, that God loves the whole world.