Opening the Door...

Matthew had the distinct privilege of ministering this month to a small island community about three hours up river from the city of Belém. A team consisting of members of the Equatorial Baptist Theological Seminary (EBTS) and the Brazilian Bible Society (BBS), along with three I.M.B. missionaries participated in the first of several trips in a church planting project. These groups hope to plant a church in this small river community with no evangelical presence.

This island community is made up of fifteen families totaling about 240 people. However, being that many communities like this are closed to outsiders we decided to use this trip to open the door for further evangelism. For this reason, the team used two boats owned by BBS called the “Luz da Amazonia” (Light of the Amazon) to bring medical and dental care to the community. In addition, we used the boats to power a projector for the purpose of showing the Jesus film as well as feed the community a small meal.

This may not sound like much but it seems to touch the hearts and lives of those living in this community. The people of the community see our Lord's love in a tangible way and this helps counteract the influence of the Catholic Church. The Catholic Church in Brazils, like in most of Latin America, is so thoroughly intermixed with pagan, mystical, animistic beliefs that Jesus is relegated to second place behind Mary or even statues of Mary. An example can be seen here in Belem where a yearly festival known as Cirio de Nazaré has been celebrated in about 1793. During this festival the image of the Virgin of Nazareth, an ancient statue of Mary, is brought from a rural chapel to the Basilica of Our Lady of Nazareth. This involves a great street procession through the city towards the city's main cathedral. During this procession, a symbolic ‘’cord’’ about 487 yards long and weighs about 1,500 pounds pulls an ornate cart carrying this statue. It is a great honor and desire for devotees to touch or hold the cord. Many sweating bodies, in the tropical heat, push and pull and are often crushed in their desire to express their faith in the procession. Many go barefoot and often faint along the way. Other devotees carry life-size replicas of body parts made of wax requesting Mary to cure them. Some carry replicas of houses or boats that they would like or are thanking Mary for blessing them in the past year. Some, to show their devotion go on their knees and one year, a man with 150 live crabs covering him paid his homage. Often along the way, songs of adoration to Mary are sung with tears and show of emotion. This festival just shows how far from Christ the people have strayed. Evangelical Christianity is the only hope the people of this island and many others may have of knowing the true Jesus who loves them and freely offers the gift of salvation.

This Saturday, a door was opened and the light of Christ began to shine in a dark place. Please pray that future trips will continue to open the door for the planting of a God-honoring, evangelical church.

A Priceless Gift...

Valentines Day 2008

Imported Campbell’s Tomato Soup...
R$7,71 per can ($4.42 USD per can)

Imported Portuguese Chocolates...
R$17,52 ($10.03. USD)

My wife being able to have her favorite American meal...
PRICELESS!

Today I am thankful for my wife. She is truly a gift from my Lord and Savior. He has shown His love for me by giving me Tara. Her love for me is what has helped me grow closer to God... who has given me the precious gift of His Son. So, to provide her something to make her smile is priceless.

Psalm 37:4 (NIV) “Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.”

A Road Called Doque...

As our family begins to learn a new language, so many words and phrases make us laugh. It seems that the word sounds like another work in English or that the phrase if translated literally makes no sense. Now, this is not something that happen only as a English speaker learns Portuguese, I am sure it something that takes place as anyone learns a new language. So, without further ado, here is our list:

~Fartar

In Brazilian Portuguese, a verb meaning to gorge or to become feed up with.

In English, well do I need to tell you what this sounds like?

~Ruth

In English, a common name.

In Brazilian Portuguese this name would be pronounced… hoo-chee. This for an English speaker would not be a good translation of the name.

~Boca do Fagão

In Brazilian Portuguese, a phrase used for the burner on a stove.

In English, well, literally translated means ‘mouth of the stove.’

~A toalha de mesa

In Brazilian Portuguese, a phrase used for the tablecloth.

In English, well, literally translated means ‘towel of the table.’

~Dia Da Mentira

In Brazilian Portuguese, a holiday on April 1^st.

In English, well, literally translated means ‘day of lying.’ We have the same holiday but like to call it April Fools Day.

~Dirija-se a outro Caixa (a sign at the post office)

In Brazilian Portuguese, a phrase used to ask you to move to the next window for service.

In English, well, literally translated means ‘drive to the next box.’

~Duque (a sign for a main road in the city)

In Brazilian Portuguese, pronounced 'doo-kee'.

In English, well, sounds like a slang name for something.

~Eu ando no meu carro

In Brazilian Portuguese, a phrase that means I am driving my car.

In English, in a way, if you did not know Portuguese, it could literally mean 'I am walking my car'... for you not only walk yourself but you walk your bike, motorcyle, car, and you even walk the public bus.

A Few Hard Days...

As we continue to learn a new language and deal with the things in Brazilian culture which seem strange and weird, we have good days and bad days. In the past week, the Gilpin Family has been fighting the common cold. This makes life that much more difficult. However, it is great to know that when one is frustrated, the family of God is willing to lift them up to the Father. Please continue to pray for our family and that we would be faithful to our calling. If you would like to be part of our email list please let us know by sending a note to matthew@thegilpinfamily.com

Another Holiday Corrupted By Sin...

Many people world wide are getting ready to celebrate Carnival. This festival season is associated with the Roman Catholic faith and is often celebrated with costumes, parades, and a circus like atmosphere. Brazil holds claim to the largest carnival celebration in the world, which is held in Rio de Janeiro. This celebration is theoretically a social event for all but truly is a celebration of the immoral. The gala is known for hedonism and indulgence of immoral human desires. Those who are seeking pleasure and gratification of their sinful nature can be found celebrating along side families and communities. Like its sister celebration in the United States, known as Mardi Gras, Carnival is a celebration which is held 40 days before Easter and marks the beginning of Lent. Why hold a celebration to start of the time of year? Well, during Lent, Roman Catholics are supposed to abstain from all bodily pleasures, including the consumption of meat. The carnival is considered an act of farewell to the pleasures of the flesh.

Like too many in scripture, this is a celebration of the individual and of sinful nature. Like the Israelites of old, the people love to celebrate what their hands have made (Acts 7:41b / Exodus 32:1) and what their sinful nature desires. Please pray that we will be a clear example of Godly character during this period. Also pray for the lost people of Brazil, those who do not care to know God as well as those who follow a false God and false teaching, that they may experience the love of God for the first time.