2 Sermons Down, 14 to Go

Excitement is in the air. 

One by one, a crowd begins to gather in the small lounge. Words of English and Portuguese mingle and swirl, eventually becoming so loud that the door to the room must be shut, so as not to wake other people already asleep. This group, strangers but a few days before, now embraces one another and their laughter fills the room like the fragrance of a beautiful tropical flower. They may have left scared and worried but they have returned conquerors through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Last night was the beginning of the 2 week evangelistic series that will be taking place here in Brasil. Leading up to the actual preaching, several in the group ran into complications (perhaps I'll fill you in at some point down the road.) On top of that, trying to figure out who was going where caused quite a bit of trouble. As we stood outside the hotel as the rain poured, many of us left in a hurry and when many of us came to our church some of the confusion continued. By the time I stood up to preach, I was worried and not sure what to expect in the next hour. 

Yet for most, the nights presentation went as planned and we enjoyed the evening immensely. As we finished, drove back to the hotel, and finally began to gather in the hotel lounge, suddenly all the relief and joy began to escape and we began to ask about each others churches. Many of the translators had come along to the hotel and they shared how it was for each of them. Friendships began to be formed as we shared food some of the churches had given to us to eat afterwards. The entire atmosphere was one of happiness and relief. 

After Jesus sent out the 72 disciples, we read in Luke 10 that they returned praising God for what they had witness happen. As I imagine the reunion of these disciples to their Master, I see a scene very similar to the one I described above. How the disciples must have left with worries and fears, and maybe they even left in a chaotic way as well! Yet when they returned, all there excitement gushed out as they told their stories to Jesus and one another. I expect that over the course of the week, just as the disciples had powerful stories about how God had worked in changing people's hearts, our group will share stories of the same. I personally can't wait to sit back and watch Him work! 

Thanks to each of you for the prayers! Do keep us, as well as those in Mexico and Colombia, in your prayers each day as we work with God to touch people's hearts. Only He knows how to reach each and every one of them.