Last Sabbath in the Brazilian church in Montreal

I've had the opportunity to be in many churches, and especially to play viola in different countries. And this time, while living in Montreal, it was not the exception. Feom the very first Sabbath that I arrived, I shared my talent and worshiped with my music. Since then, I felt accepted and welcome in that church. Many people would not understand why I chose to go to a Brazilian church instead of going to the hispanic one or even a french-speaking one. Besides the obvious reason that is not to ne explained here, I like the Brazilian worship style and convivencia.

But then I had to say goodbye, and believe me, saying goodbye is never easy. And this time is especially difficult because this church had become my "family" in Montreal (I did not know anybody in the city, and even before I arrived, they helped me out).

I might not be Brazilian, and I might not have moved to Montreal (for now) as a permanent resident, but the people in this church opened their heart to me as if I was to stay there as part of their church family.

I know that (almost) anywhere I may go, there will be a church where I can feel at home.

A wasted talent

Today one of the kids from the orchestra gave back his violin to the church. Even though he was not my student, it made me sad that he won't play anymore. It is not that we have lost our best violinist in the orchestra either.

Those kids, they all learned to play their instrument in church and develop their talents playing for the Lord every Sabbath in the orchestra. They did not even have to pay for their instrument! The church (and a sponsor family) bought all the instruments for them to learn and use. If it was not for what God has given to them through this church, I don't know how many of them would still be in church now.

God allowed Sandrinho to develop a beautiful talent > music. And what a better way to learn to play the violin than in church, worshiping our Lord every Sabbath?! Sadly to say, after a few years of classes in the conservatory, he decided he did not want to play for the Lord anymore. There, he saw that other kids from the conservatory play in orchestras on the weekend. Last year he was invited to be part of a group that practices on Friday evenings. He started missing orchestra practice in church some Friday evenings hoping his mom would let him go to the conservatory. Since he saw his mom was not going to let him go, he decided he was going to give back his violin. Around November last year he started saying he was going to quit. We all prayed for him, talked with him and his mom, encouraged him to continue, but he has finally decided to quit.

God gave Sandrinho one talent. For a while, he developed it and it looked like he was going to make it into two or three. But, he finally did like the servant in Matthew 25, he gave up and has "hid his master's money in the ground" (25:18, CEV). I pray that Sandrinho changes his mind and takes back that one talent and use it for the Lord.

A nice visit

I love how God keeps surprising me making my life in Brazil a total adventure. I was starting to feel sad because I had not had a chance to revisit Maraial and see the church that started with our mission work during January. However, last Friday evening I received a phone call from Mrs. Sandra, the wife of the Mayor of Maraial, telling me she was sending a car to pick me up in Recife so I could be in her husband's baptism!

Not only did I get to be in the baptism, but I also got to see some church members and the new church that is growing there. It was a blessing!

With Mrs. Sandra and Vitoria (her daughter). I taught her violin for only 15 weeks, and she is already playing in church :)

Some church members. All a result of the mission project in January :)

The church in Maraial. This was taken at the beginning of the service. Later, more people came in. It was packed!

Mr. Marcos getting baptized. He's the Mayor of Maraial.

Missao Calebe 5.0

Maraial, Pernambuco, Brazil

I'm finally posting some pictures of Caleb Mission (previous post about it).

The whole month of January was a blessing in Maraial (and I'm sure it was a blessing all around Brasil where the "Calebs" were). I was the first to leave the group (I came back to Recife on Jan 31st); therefore, I did not have any information about the number of baptisms they had. However, to my surprise, Mr. Marcos and Mrs. Sandra (the Mayor or Maraial and his wife, who is adventist) came to Recife yesterday and decided to visit me at the Union. She told me that 16 people were baptized and that her husband is getting baptized this coming Sabbath. It totally made my day, my week, my month!

I left without seeing the fruits of the mission there. All these time, I had only been praying for them, but yesterday the Lord allowed me to hear just a little bit of what He's doing in that town. The Lord is pouring his blessings unto those people and is guiding them to the light. I thank my Lord for allowing me to be part of that story, but most important, for allowing me bring people to Him.

Calebs in action (L to R: Mauricio, Naide, Sendy, Mr. Itai-the evangelist, Rafael,
Wesilany, Cizinha, Jessica, Sister Vade-the cook!, Cristina and Jedson.)

My kids!! I taught them English every evening for three weeks.

Maraial

Inviting the people of Maraial to the community service project and evangelistic meetings

Never a small job for God

God knew David was going to be king of Israel. Even when David was forgotten by his father, despised by his brothers, and left all alone with the sheep, God had a plan for him. But it was necessary that he spent some time alone with the animals to shape his character so he could learn to trust and depend on God always. “The Lord had chosen David, and was preparing him, in his solitary life with his flocks, for the work he designed to commit to his trust in after years” (PP 637.1).

The same way, now I understand that no matter where I work, at home or abroad, God has a plan for me. Just like David with the sheep, I know God puts me in places where I can learn to trust and depend on Him so he can lead me throughout my life.

Another thing I like about David’s life as a shepherd is that there’s no such a thing as a small job. “David had proved himself brave and faithful in the humble office of a shepherd, and now God had chosen him to be captain of his people” (PP 641.1). We always have to do our best in whatever we have to do because God is always watching us. The Bible says that “whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord…” (Colossians 3:23, NIV). One of my favorite quotes “I will serve Jesus while I’m waiting” (song by John Waller) exemplifies David’s spirit while working out in the hills. Even as a ‘simple shepherd boy’, he was excellent. When we do an excellent job, we are serving Jesus (we cannot say we are serving Jesus and be mediocre). God will see our small job and He will see that we are faithful in the small things, then He will trusts us with greater things (Luke 16:10, NIV).

*Inspired by Pr. Ivan Saraiva @ the church Jardin Paulista, PE, Brazil.

Read David’s story in 1 Samuel 16:1-13 and Patriarchs and Prophets (EGW) chapter 62.

Playing typmanies

Yeys!! Got a chance to play tympanies last Sabbath at church! ;) It was pretty cool, however I rather play tympanies with the Orchestra or the Brass Ensemble. That doesn't mean I didn't enjoy the music and the service last Sabbath. 

It was the end of the Week of Prayer, and as it was expected, the music was great! and the sermons went straight to those wounds that I didn't want to touch for a long time. 

*I need to do something about it... but am working on that.

23°13′N 106°25′W / 23.217, -106.417

Today is the second day in Mazatlan and I'm having quiet a good time. We went to church and my dad was invited to give the Sabbath School lesson. Since the mission stories this quartet come from Asia and there was no story today, my dad asked me to say something... I was like, what am I going to say?

So there I was giving a mission story... What did I say? Luckily enough, I had read Toshi's story a couple of weeks ago and I just complemented it with what I know he's doing now... so that was my mission story hehe. I kinda feel good cause I had a chance to do something for Sabbath School today.

I wish I had brought my Viola though, but my mom said there was no space in the car and I couldn't take it with me on the plane either :( I always say "I'll bring my viola next time" LOL

My dad giving the Sabbath School lesson.


Left to right: My mom, my aunt, my grandma and another aunt.


With one of my aunts after church.

*Haven't gone to the beach yet :(

Week of Prayer

Last week we had our Week of Prayer with Pastor Doug Batchelor, speaker of the TV program Amazing Facts. We had great messages, great stories and great music every morning and evening! We always start our week of prayer on Friday, so it has actually two weekends. The second weekend was really cool. I got to play with a string "quartet" on Friday for the Communion service, and then on Sabbath with the Orchestra. Sabbath morning was more than AWESOME!!! The sermon was great, and the music was great! The orchestra with the Chamber Choir... great combination!!! And then, as part of the traditions here at the university, the second Sabbath all the students and faculty have lunch together. So it was a cool thing, though there are lots of people and it takes longer to get your food and dessert and all that lol.

Communion Service - Friday evening


Playing for Communion Service - Friday evening


Lunch Time


*Pictures from PULSO

Every Sabbath we have English Sabbath School here at the uni and it's a blessing. It's not only that we get together for the lesson study, but for the whole program. After the divine service, we go to a different building to have our own sabbath school.

I like it a lot because I can go there and not just sit and do nothing like if I was at the university church. I feel like there's real worship. Song service is awesome!!! and the lesson study it's great as well. If you happen to visit us here in Mexico, think of staying a sabbath as well... you will enjoy it!

@ the church

*Click on the pics to enlarge them



Can you find me?!

Dad, Mom and me ;)

Pictures taken from the school website (PULSO). It was during the week of prayer I think.