BZeal -- Zeal for God's house http://randalmatheny.com/doku.php?id=brazil [You received this email as a subscriber of the Brazil list at associate.com. See unsub information at end.] BRAZILIAN ZEAL 30 November 2005 • São José dos Campos (SP) Brazil Monthly report • by J. Randal Matheny • PDF version: http://randalmatheny.com/doku.php?id=brazil:reports I WENT TO BLESS, AND CAME AWAY WITH A BLESSING Earlier in the year, Neal Pollard, preacher for the Cold Harbor Road church in Mechanicsville, Va., and director for their annual lectureship, sounded me out about speaking at this year's event. It entailed writing manuscripts for their lectureship books and showing up on time for the event which began Thursday night, Nov. 2, and went through Sunday night. Thanks to the CHR church's financial help, I was able to accept the invitation. This year's theme was especially appropriate for me: "The Prime Objective: Searching for Souls in Search of Truth." My three lectures were the why, the who, and the how of taking the gospel to the world. I spoke at 2 p.m. Thursday-Sunday. Neal said over 30 congregations were represented from 9 states. The event served as an exceptional spiritual encouragement to me, thanks to the uplifting lectures, the warm fellowship, making new friends and seeing old ones, the energetic singing, and the zealous service that brethren there offered on my behalf. For more impressions of the lectureship and the trip, see my online blog at: http://randalmatheny.com/blog/ THANKSGIVING WAS TIME FOR COUNTING BLESSINGS, NEW IDEAS AND PLANS Vicki had planned for a modest mid-afternoon lunch on Thanksgiving day. But a phone call changed all that. Jorge and Paula called to say they were going to be in SJC in the morning taking care of some business, since he was taking vacation time. They invited us to eat lunch with them at a nice restaurant about 20 miles south of town and spend some time together. Since they have been dedicated saints at the SJC congregation, helped us begin at Taubaté, and were responsible for starting the Guaratinguetá church by teaching relatives, we looked forward to some more relaxed time with them. After enjoying the country-style cooking, we released the children to play, ride the horse, and look at the animals. We talked about where the work had been thus far and exchanged ideas to take us to greater growth and development of the new congregations. Jorge has an uncle married to a sister of Paula's in Taubaté. This couple has been participating regularly in the church's meetings, but they lack the time to do one-on-one teaching. Vicki has been going at least once weekly to Taubaté (a 40-minute drive) to teach Priscila, a neighbor of Valéria's, who is close to a decision. And there's a long list of people who need to be worked with in Guará as well. We have involved Christians from SJCampos in the Taubaté and Guará churches, as well as helping the local brethren to reach out. But there are always challenges: Clayton works out of town; Valéria's cancer returned this year and she's in chemotherapy; Wilson, in Guará, is unemployed; some family members speak evil of others' dedication to Christ. Above all the ideas and plans and beyond the challenges ahead, we ask the Lord to bless our efforts for his glory. OTHER NEWS NEW BOOK RELEASED. Our new Forthright Press publishing company released its first book, Straight to the Cross, during our book signing at Freed-Hardeman University on Nov. 11. See the website www.forthrightpress.com for more details. IN THE REGION. The Taubaté church is looking to rent facilities, perhaps a hotel conference room, since Clayton and Valéria's living room is getting small. On Nov. 27, we had 21 in attendance, with four non- Christians present. PRAY, PRAY, PRAY * For Valeria's chemotherapy, in Taubaté. * For Denise, SJC Christian, and Marcelo, her erring brother, who suffered a car accident Nov. 15. * For decisions to follow Christ: Priscila, Anibal & Ana Paula, Edson & Denise. * That our car will hold up. After 350,000 km and 10 years, it's beginning to show wear and tear. FAMILY FOCUS * Our family celebrated 21 years of service in Brazil Nov. 28. * Leila played piano and flute in the music school's year-end presentation Nov. 4. RETROSPECT * Online is a diary of Kevin Cauley's efforts with us here in Sept. http://randalmatheny.com/doku.php?id=brazil:cauley05 * I spoke Oct. 9 in Belo Horizonte for a church workers encounter, on the topic of Joseph's faith. * Vicki and Leila went with several ladies from area churches to the women's retreat in São Paulo Oct. 28-29. SUPPORTING CHURCHES Our sponsor is the Center Hill church in Paragould, Ark. Tel.: 870-239-8032. For more information on supporting churches, see our website: http://randalmatheny.com 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@... • Web: http://randalmatheny.com . Sponsor: Center Hill church of Christ, Paragould, Ark. 870-239-8032 ----- BZeal focuses on the progress of the gospel in Brazil and around the world. Please share this email with friends. You can read these and other stories online at http://randalmatheny.com/doku.php?id=brazil Add your comments, prayers, and suggestions, too!