Click on a picture for an enlargement.
Click on the caption under the picture only if you
get an error message when clicking on the picture.
For best results, get Internet Explorer version 6.

Right-click on the enlargement to save it to disk.
If a picture does not display after the browser's
activity has stopped, click Refresh to try again.

FBC Sao Joao de Meriti Billboard Size: 68k	FBC Sao Joao de Meriti Size: 107k	FBC SJdM SMOT Size: 112k	FBC SJdM Texas Shirt Size: 80k
SMOT making friends Size: 75k	Sugarloaf-City Size: 120k

What a gorgeous sunny day in Rio! Our schedule so far has been very packed, so today was a welcome breath of fresh air. Many of us had opportunities to shop, swim, and even play a little on the beach. Even in the midst of our free time, God allowed us to interact with people on the beach, in shops, at Sugar Loaf Mountain, and other places. We are discovering that the language barrier is really not that big. In fact, it often opens doors for us as we struggle to communicate. Truth be told, they speak much better English than we do Portuguese. Wherever we go, there is MUCH opportunity to communicate and the people are very gracious and patient with us.

The day presented itself in two divergent avenues of opportunity for our ensemble. The medical team left for the long trip across the bay bridge to attend to as yet unknown duties in the clinic. In order to do this, they rose well before dawn in preparation for both the trip and any breakfast that would precede it. They had utilized their afternoon on Tuesday’s excursion to be briefly introduced to the clinic’s founder, an amazing man now 84 years of age. Dr. Nelson Rocha had shared with them that the clinic was founded just 10 years ago. And, it is his belief that, should he retire, his death would quickly follow. And so, he continues hard at his tasks today.

The day was spent with the two doctors accompanying other doctors in their duties. The three nurses were separated from them during the morning. It seems that with Wednesday’s national holiday and Friday’s impending city holiday for Rio de Janeiro, a significant downturn in the number of patients attending the clinic for appointments was experienced. While the doctors did see patients, much of the nurse’s time was spent becoming acquainted with the design and operations of the unit where they were placed for service. Most importantly, the day is started for the staff in a time of devotion, and singing and prayer requests. Even the guard from the front entrance who is a bi-vocational pastor at a local church daily brings a fifteen minute message. It would seem that he not only guards the facility in a physical sense, but has been entrusted to guard the hearts and minds of the staff with wisdom from God’s word as well.

In the afternoon, the team went to the pediatric hospital across town. The services that are offered are the same that U.S. patients receive, but the hospital itself is fifty years old and populated with aging equipment. Although the conditions are less than ideal, the doctor that conducted the tour of the hospital indicated that the staff worked well together and enjoyed their mission in life. They did have a new building, a pediatric cardiology section that was partially financed via government funds and private organizations—a first for this country. This section being the newest building, it was very nice. Their main cardiac problem that is seen stems from the effects of rheumatic fever.

Thursday’s concert was in Sao Joao de Meriti. Celebracao Especial was the title on a giant billboard that announced our concert as we entered the city. Every city where we have sung has been very different from the others. Sao Joao is a city whose very narrow streets are more congested with lots more pedestrian activity.

As in the other churches, the concert was packed tonight! It was Standing Room Only! In addition to the 500+ in the sanctuary, there were an additional 200 people viewing the concert across the alley from the church in an adjoining open air seating area. We have been encouraged by the wide range of ages we have seen at the concerts. The Brazilian churches obviously do an excellent job reaching out to younger people.

Musical highlights from the concert include:

Last night: Trent Blackley’s encouragement of the congregation to join with him—and their response—as we sang our own uniquely arranged “Wonderful Grace of Jesus.” Tonight: The congregation’s encouragement to Trent Blackley to remember the words to his song. LALA really works in any language you know…love ya Trent

More amazing music from Rodrigo Rodriguez

Languages tonight - Portuguese, English, and Sign Language - the deaf interpreters - for the congregation did a beautiful job…he, too was deaf.

Every concert has had its own set of concerns. Tonight’s concert had both of our keyboardists playing on electric pianos, a new sound engineer, new percussion equipment, and lots and lots of electric fan noise, not to mention the blowing sheet music. (no AC here folks!) But, of course these things pale in comparison to the huge blessing we have received in watching these people worship! They are so very passionate about Jesus! We love watching and hearing them sing. We even recognized the chorus, Shout to the Lord and attempted to sing it with them in Portuguese. So far, there have been decisions for Christ in each service. Tonight, the pastor asked for a show of hands of all the visitors. To our surprise and the pastor’s, the majority of the audience were visitors! Our prayer is that the music is opening the door for local people to connect with this local church.

Wayne Gadman of First Baptist Lorena mentioned tonight that he has been touched by the prayers of the wives who have accompanied us. They have not failed to pray for every concert. We invite you to do the same. Our concerts are usually at 7:00 pm. There is a two hour difference, so as you travel home from work or turn on the late afternoon news, please remember us in prayer.

Friday’s prayer requests as we travel to Teresopolis:

We sing in an 8000 seat arena. Wouldn’t it be amazing to have standing room only there too?

Street witnessing as we distribute invitations in the surrounding neighborhoods

Radio broadcast and interview featuring SMOT members

Charles Ashley - journalist for the first 3 days who is ill

Journalist - Charles Ashley
Filling in for Charles at the concert - Dan Baker, Mark Hill, Bill Howell, Russ Porter, Gerald Ware
Photographer - John Bell

Click the Back button to return to prior screen,
or close this window if the Back button is grayed.