Brasil: 2000

Because of the need for church leaders in Brasil, the OMS International missionary society started a seminary in Londrina around 1954. This seminary is called ISBL ( Institute Seminary Biblical of Londrina is what the full Portuguese name would translate to in English ). Some years back, this school started a small English program designed to help those who needed to learn English as a second language for more advanced study overseas. The initial program was not working quite the way it was hoped it would, and it was reorganized. In 1999, Jan and Rod Dormer arrived in Brasil. Jan taught English as a Second Language for a number of years in Canada. Therefore, her experience has become very valuable at the seminary. The language program was reorganized into what has come to be called the Webb Institute of Languages. Into this falls the English teaching, plus teaching Portuguese for incoming missionaries. Before the spring of 2000, ( in Brazil, the spring is in September and October ) the Portuguese program had always been aimed at incoming OMS missionaries, but there was some thought that this program might be opened up to other missions groups. As the spring turned into summer, some unexpected developments occured in this department.

The start of my 2000 trip to Brasil started in the 1999 English Camp. Jan Dormer wanted another team for another English Camp in July of 2000, and I wanted to participate. However, I also wanted to participate with a team that was coming from Oregon from the Valley View Evangelical Church in Oregon. The English Camp team would come in July, and the Valley View team would come in September. In order to avoid spending too much on airfare, I was able to obtain permission from my work, and from the mission, to spend some extra time in Brazil. The time between English Camp and the Valley View Work Team would be spent helping students in conversation. My official position, if there is such a thing on the missions field, was to become English Tutor to the students learning English.

Students at the 2000 English Camp learn about the American art of tie-dying T shirts.

And yet, I kept hearing God's voice calling to me, saying "Be prepared to stay there until December." and at the same time saying "Leave expecting for a return in September." I had a hard time determining what was going on with this. When the OMS people said that it would not be possible to stay until December, I took them at their word, and prepared everything as if I were to be coming back in September.

As the trip went on, it became a little more clear what all of this was about. The message I had felt God telling me that seemed to conflict with itself ( December? September? Maybe October?) became clearer.

All I can say about what happened during that trip was: God proved that he was faithful; it is important to listen when we hear God talking to us, even when the message seems contradictory; and God is faithful to lead us onward.

Update Messages:

Before the English Camp - temperatures dropped to record lows that year, and life at the camps was very difficult.

The English Camp - my reports home of what happened didn't survive the test of time, but I pieced together a few things from rememberances.

After The English Camp - the English Camp team returned to the USA, and I continued to stay in Brasil helping with a few projects.

The new church in Jardim Veneza is preparing for its opening day. I did a few things to help the group that was starting this church.

English Classes start at the Webb Institute of Languages, and I start helping tutor students in English on a full-time basis. Before that, I was actually tutoring one of the students that had difficulty the previous semester.

English Tutoring was not originally one of my updates that I sent home, but if you happened across this web site by chance it is to help you gain a better idea of what I was doing.

The Jardim Veneza Church is being prepared for the grand opening.

Before the Valley View team arrives, the Igreja Missionària Jardim Veneza has its grand opening.

The Valley View Team has arrived and I have returned to camp for two weeks, and then I'm headed home, right? Wrong.

The Valley View Team (myself included now) starts preparing the ground at the seminary.

The Work Team (now combined with a group from Indiana) visits the great Foz do Iguaçu on the Brazil-Argentina border.

A Brief Message announcing my plans to stay until late October due to the work load in the English program.

The Work Teams have Left and yet I continue on in Brasil.

I have Moved into an appartment with some Brazilian students. Updates on recent events, but the message is interrupted due to another need for the computer I am using.

About the JOCUM Visit - Youth With a Mission ( JOCUM in Brasil = JOvens Com Uma Missão ) visited Londrina, and I got to see, and briefly help, this evengelism team

The Decision to stay longer, and what made me decide, and what made the Brasil Field Committee reach the same conclusion that I had reached on my own.

Items Needed at the seminary and the Webb Language School. This summary was a response to a question from someone from the English camp team, but I decided to send it to everyone for their prayers and consideration.

October Summary - The team that came to Londrina from my home church wanted an update about what was going on, as they had left and I stayed in Brasil. This is my response to what was going on at the time. I told them that due to problems with the airline ticket situation I would likely be coming home soon.

Bibles Are Coming!!!! Wonderful News from one of my friends from the university: he is sending a box of English Language Bibles, that are badly needed there in the English school.

You have to Wonder about the Airline Industry Sometimes In late October, a flight left Brazil bound for the USA, with a seat that I owned a ticket for. At this point, there is no refunding or turning back: for I was not on that flight. We trusted God, and found a return ticket at a reasonable price.

You have to Wonder about the Airline Industry Sometimes In late October, a flight left Brazil bound for the USA, with a seat that I owned a ticket for. At this point, there is no refunding or turning back: for I was not on that flight.

General Update on a large number of different things.

Voodoo and Phone Bills in Brazil are they related? It sure seems like it compared to North America. I had not written for a while due to the difficulty of getting to a computer that was not in use.

Thanksgiving Message Thanksgiving was celebrated by the missionary family by going to a special meal at the camp. Missionaries from several other groups, including Wycliffe and an independent church attended as well.

Nearing the End of the Semester and the various things about to happen.

My Last Message sent on the very last day I was there in Brasil. Two friends of mine from the 1998 team arrived at the appartment just as I was typing the message, and they added a special message as well. It is, I think, a fitting end to any missionary trip: the final testimony of the trip not in my own words, but in the words of those who I came and helped for five and a half months. It is for the spiritual benefit of these, God's wonderful servants in Brasil, that made the trip desirable in the first place and blessed by God to the very end.

Happy New Year! - A message sent during the closing moments of 2000.