The True Christmas Spirit

I could hear the refuse collection truck coming down the street as I got those last few winks of sleep the morning after Christmas. Could I get out there in time to place Mom's bin on the sidewalk? With all the gift exchange excitement, we'd forgotten to put it out the night before. Out I dashed in my PJ's and sock slippers into the crisp central Texas morning, quickly rolling the bin across the grass to the street as the truck came down the other side. Suddenly the truck stopped and the driver appeared, stepping down from his truck. "I already passed on that side, sir!", he said. And before I knew it, he crossed the street, grabbed the bin and rolled it to the other side of the street. After positioning it, he climbed back into his truck and deftly dumped the bin into his truck with the mechanical arms. I was so taken back with his kindness that all I could think to say was, "Well, I'll bring it back, and I sure do appreciate your help!" as he drove away. By then my feet were quite wet from the dew but I had a smile on my face. I didn't even mind a couple of neighbors staring at me in my PJ's from their cars as they left for work. I had just witnessed one of the most impressive evidences of the true Christmas spirit of my entire life! So, my driver friend, whoever you may be, thanks so much for adding to my Christmas joy by your simple act of kindness right here in Temple, Texas on Antelope Trail!

Another Trip?

What a whirl of activities the past month has been! Back from our trip to the States in early November, I was soon off to a weekend preaching opportunity in Almarante do Maranhão where the folks are very friendly and appreciative. The rest of November was finish-up time with my six classes at the Seminary, reminding my students to turn in all their semester work. Most did, but some didn't quite get it all together unfortunately. On December 1st three fellows were graduated, one of whom I had helped earlier with his 'monografia' paper. Then paper-grading time began and preparations for our next trip.

Yes, we are on another trip, this weekend enjoying our granddaughter and her parents in Florida. Next week we go to Texas for the holidays where we will see more family for the remainder of our annual vacation. The change of pace is great! With partial internet access most communication continues and we can also catch up on a couple projects in between family visits. Will try to get some photos on next posting. Meanwhile, have a great rest-of-the-year at your house, remembering that the Savior really did come to save us and to gives us abundant life! Do you know Him yet?

Trip Photos

Update from Trip

Our 13-day trip to the U. S. went well but was very tiring at the end. The airline changed our international flight, requiring us to catch a much earlier flight from Philly to Miami. Had to leave my niece's home in PA at 2:30 AM instead of 8 AM and spend most of the day in Miami airport. Then five hours flying to Manaus, 2 hrs. to Belem, 5 hours in Belem airport and finally a one hour flight to SLZ, our city. Good to be safely back in our home on this sizable island off northern coast of Brazil where some 900 thousand folks live and work, all anxiously awaiting seasonal rains to finally begin in a month or so. At least our acerola tree is giving so we can enjoy the nutritious juice.
My good wife's bad cold left her just as we embarked on our trip in late October but has now returned to plague her. I escaped during the trip but got it just after our return so now we are sniffling and coughing together as we try to figure out which medicine to try next. (Too bad I have to travel to a weekend preaching opportunity but do feel lots better at present...)
As for classes, etc., we are right back into things, keenly anticipating the end of the semester including SCEN graduation of three fellows on Dec. 1st. Will send some photos of our grandkids in a separate posting. Sure was good reconnecting with these very special people and we thank God that we could!

Travel time is nearly here

Next week at this time we should be visiting our daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter in Florida. Seemed like the time for this trip would never get here. Now it's right around the corner and I wonder how we'll get everything done in time. Have already done quite a lot, actually, like leaving most things in order for the classes we'll miss and getting a couple lined up to stay in our house. Asked a colleague to look after the school clock/bell system, paid our monthly taxes, made a bank deposit, wrote and sent our October circular letter for mailing and distribution. We also ordered our new laptop computer, several lexicons for students, made copies of our house keys and have started reading a book for the seminar we will attend. Are you bored yet?
Will be good to have a change of scenery for those 14 days. Oh yes, two weekends from now we should be visiting our oldest son, his wife and their three boys in the northeast. Nice to include these family visits on this trip. Will have to wait to visit more family and our other son and his wife in the mid-west around Christmas time, Lord willing.

Thinking about the children

Jonah, our second grandchild, turned three today. He and I have something in common. We both were born in Pennsylvania, but about sixty years apart in time! Jonah's older brother, Luke, was born in Texas and his younger brother, Cody, in Rhode Island. Then there are the parents of these three boys. Their mom was born in Washington State and their dad in Brazil! Anyway, was great to see them all on webcam for a few minutes before bed time. Jonah was thrilled with his 'car-truck' gift for his birthday and smiled nicely when grandma and I sang happy birthday to him. Oh yes, we got to see our nearly 16 month old granddaughter by webcam tonight too, the whole way from Florida! Amazing how technology helps fill in the gaps when families live so far apart.


Two weeks ago we drove 150 miles downstate and got to know some other children. They are part of a church plant carried on by some colleagues who invited us to speak over the weekend. You can see how nice the children look in the photos we are attaching.
Where there are children there is happiness along with hope for the future. This is true among our own families and in the larger family of God as well. October 12th is Children's Day here in Brazil. Our church will hold a weekend camp for the children, giving them a special time to play, swim and learn more about the God who made them and sent Jesus to save them. I enjoy the children and look forward to visiting our four grandkids when we visit the States next time.

A First For Me

Well, it may not be the very first time but it SEEMS that way in my fading memory. I actually was not able to give my class today at the Seminary due to symptoms of a bad cold! When Vivian went over for choir rehearsal, a student commented, "Prof. Carlos is not coming today? He NEVER misses class!" Of course we have to miss when we schedule a trip but that's different, I guess, since we plan ahead and make sure our students work on projects while we're gone. I'm taking medicine, resting extra and hope to be back tomorrow morning for Eschatology class, then Angelology in the PM, Lord willing, and if I'm feeling stronger...

We are off to a good beginning with second semester. Students seem more motivated than usual to get their assignments turned in and participate in class discussions. The second year students especially enjoy asking questions and sparring with one another over theological points. I'm getting into Bible Study Methods with 19 first year students. The study guide I used before is out of print so I had to copy material and make a syllabus. Yesterday we learned the importance of the six observation questions: Who? What? Where? When? Why & How? Next Wed. I will see how they did, asking these six questions and registering their answers, observing Philippians 1:1-11. For most this method is a first, but one that I trust will be repeated many times throughout their lives in studying and sharing God's word.

Impressions from a Gathering

Last week over 300 delegates and visitors partipated in our national church's 23rd convention held on SCEN campus. My impressions: (1)God is faithful. This was AICEB's 60-year celebration, as pictured, complete with cake and cokes in closing session. Over 60 Brazilian and foreign workers were honored posthumously with their names read during that service. SO GOOD to see numerous former students serving the Lord faithfully, raising their families, walking in His ways. Makes us grateful for having the privilege of touching many lives during their student days. (2) Good business sessions. I was asked to help on a temporary committee for evaluating motions that came to the floor. The three of us did about 15 motions, most of which were passed by the general assembly when voted on. The association's finances were in good order, much better than two years ago when things were quite confusing. Was impressive to observe business being done fairly and thoroughly, due to God's grace and the moderating skills of Pr. Neto, one of our former students. (3) SCEN seminary has an owner. After the Mission discontinued supporting the seminary three years ago, it was rough going for awhile until the churches began to realize that SCEN really does belong to them. Result? The finances are much better and a new SCEN leadership team was chosen with a minimum of procedural problems. There are seven of us to take office at end of 2007. Meanwhile, four of the seven pictued are functioning till then along with three incumbent members. (4) Missions is/are in. The association's goal of over US$50,000 for missions was met this past year. Two Angolan men, president and vice-president of the Evangelical Christian Church of Angola, were participants in our Convention. Pictured is AICEB's president signing a working agreement with them for sending missionaries to work with this church. Delegates received an attractive missions bulletin published by the department. (5) Challenges are great. Church growth was low to moderate in recent years so there is still much to do. The youth department needs a shot in the arm. Regular contributions to the General Board's office come from less than half of the 160 organized chuches. This should improve by use of a monthly bank deposit form system, a convention decision. So, all in all, favorable impressions of this church gathering in northern Brazil! May God be praised!

Pondering the Unponderable

Over 200 victims in the fiery crash of the TAM airliner landing in Sao Paulo last evening. Constant news coverage, speculation as to the cause of the accident. Intense shock, sadness among families and friends. At least we can pray for the families, asking for God's mercy and comfort, patience with the authorities and for some eventual closure and normality. If statistics mean anything, perhaps only 10 to 15% of those dear folks were evangelical believers. Pr. Jonas said many years ago, we should not ask, 'Why?'(Por Que?). Instead we should ask ourselves 'For what?'(Para Que?). But even 'For what?' is not easily answered for me. And so I wonder and ponder... Perhaps this tragedy will result in better safety conditions at crowded urban airports in this great country. That would be comforting to know next time I fly... Or perhaps it will make folks think more of the uncertainty of life, causing people like me to live each moment more fully yet responsibly knowing that any moment could be one's last on earth. Or perhaps as a Christian I should use the incident to share Christ with those around me who are not yet certain of their eternal destiny. Yes, perhaps that's what I should do... In fact, isn't that what being a missionary is all about? What do you think?

MICEB Conference on Mosqueiro Island

MICEB Conference 2007 ended last Sunday near Belem. Was a good week of messages, fellowship, prayer and yes, even tolerable business meetings. Some 55 missionaries from Brazil, U. S., Canada, Switzerland, Germany and Great Britain attended plus visitors. A highlight was the special Sat. PM celebration of 40 years existence with our present name, although the mission's origins in Brazil go back some 40 years before that. Vivian and I with two others organized and led 40 minute prayer groups each morning. We also helped some 20 colleagues rehearse one choir number for the Sat. PM meeting, Filhos da Luz. My most taxing task was to serve as Portuguese minutes secretary for the business meetings. That probably completes my administrative participation in MICEB through the years. First I served as mission treasurer for two years, 1991-93. Second, as MICEB president for seven years, 1993-2000. And now during this conference five days as minutes secretary! Goes to show that God's grace is still varied, abundant and enabling for someone who came to Brazil primarily to serve as a theology teacher! As for that part of our work, first semester ends on Thursday and we are ready for it! Enjoy the photos and enjoy your summer wherever you live. The black & white photo was taken c. 1972!
P. S. One pineapple fell off already and is slowly ripening. Is there hope for the other? (See last blog...)

Computers, Pineapples & Anniversary

Our computer problems continue but at least we were able to send a June update to our 'revised' address list. Our list is probably 75% as complete as it was before our laptop stopped functioning. Let us know if you didn't receive the update, please. Things are beginning to pop around here: entering last three weeks of the semester to teach and receive student papers; visit from our international director this weekend; our annual field conference in Belem next week (students don't particularly like the work we leave them for the week of classes we will miss but that's life!).
On June 5th we celebrated 37 years of happy marriage, evidenced by the photo. Yes, those are roses! And the other photo shows how pineapples really do grow in the tropics. Takes two years, though. They are in a little 'flower bed' out front, by our now paved street. The neighbor boy and I are carefully watching to see that our two pineapples reach a delicious maturity in the next couple weeks. Nice to see something growing like that.

Computer Problems!

It's been a week since our notebook wouldn't open and is needing another motherboard. At least we have this other computer to do some email, etc. Must soon decide if repairing our nearly three-year old Dell 600m is worth the expense. Probably not. Have any advice? So, just be patient and we will eventually send you a more interesting blog. Meanwhile, we are doing well, even with my 4 more classes a week to teach (eschatology)in the SCEN evening course. Tonight only one of my six students nodded off before I dismissed them early, at 22:35 instead of 22:50, the official closing time. Guess it's because they were filling out a form while I explained the different periods of Biblical prophecy. I admire their dedication to listen to me past my bedtime once a week.

I shared the following at the English service where I spoke last evening. Tony Campolo is a Christian, a college professor, and a well-known speaker in the United States. He tells about a sermon delivered by his preacher friend at the mostly-black church he attended in Philadelphia. The essence of the preacher’s message was one line, which he mentioned over and over again – a message particularly appropriate on Easter weekend.
“It’s Friday, but Sunday’s coming!”
It’s Friday, but Sunday’s coming. It was Friday, and my Jesus is dead on a tree. But that’s Friday, and Sunday’s coming!
Friday, Mary’s crying her eyes out, the disciples are running in every direction like sheep without a shepherd. But that’s Friday, and Sunday’s a comin’.
Friday, some are looking at the world and saying, “As things have been, so they shall be. You can’t change nothing in this world! You can’t change nothing in this world!” But they didn’t know it was only Friday, and Sunday’s a comin’.
Friday, them forces that oppress the poor and keep people down, them forces that destroy people, the forces in control now, them forces that are gonna rule, they don’t know it’s only Friday, but Sunday’s a comin’.
Friday, people are saying, “Darkness is gonna rule the world, sadness is gonna be everywhere,” but they don’t know it’s only Friday, but Sunday’s a comin’.
Even though this world is rotten, as it is right now, we know it’s only Friday. But Sunday’s a comin’!
It’s Friday! But Sunday’s a Coming!

Passing It On (March 24)

Out for our walk, we could see Wanilma coming up the street, arriving home. With a nice smile she greeted us and told us about her new job, teaching 'religion' in a public school to 7th and 8th graders. She has 14 classes and some 800 students throughout the week! By knowing so many kids, says she could run for political office before long! Wanilma was our Bible college student from 1982-85. She's married, has a 6-year old son and is thrilled to be serving the Lord here in Sao Luis, passing on Biblical values to gobs of kids. She's grateful for her SCEN Bible college training.

Pr. Francisco was in the library the other day, preparing lessons for a new Bible institute he has begun in his church. He graduated from SCEN four months ago and wants now to train others in his one night-a-week institute. Our SCEN classes taught him so much, he says. Now it's time to pass it on to his people.

Inez phoned the other evening, reporting and requesting prayer. She, her husband and 6 year old son are down-state in a new church plant. Their denomination asked them to interrupt their SCEN course last fall to consider taking on this new challenge. Inez often refers to my poetic books and Bible study methods classes. Both are helping her in this cutting-edge ministry of passing it on to others in a rustic, rural setting. They still want to complete their SCEN course but for now the lost condition of these people took precedence.

When I became a missionary, I couldn't imagine how exciting this multiplication ministry could be! Our ex-student list is growing every year and God continues to use each one in a timely, unique manner as they endeavor to "entrust (the things they have heard) to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others." 2 Tim. 2:2b (NIV)

Church Retreat

Our church found this place for annual retreat over carnival weekend. Location was outside town some 20 km. at the Hotel Fazenda, gradually being renovated for such events.
Children were a part of the retreat too.
Was good to participate, sharing observations and ideas during group Bible study. The film, The Village, was a spring board for discussion. Is the church isolated from society? If so, how can we break down walls and be authentic and reaching our world for Christ.

Time to relax between sessions with our 'family' group.
As they say in Portuguese, the retreat valeu! It was very worthwhile. Now it's time to begin our new semester at the seminary so will update you about that later on in March.

Ancient Words, Ever True

Ancient words, ever true, changing me, changing you...so go the words on the CD this AM. How much time do I really spend in God's Book? My present reading of Genesis is interesting in the Portuguese NIV (Nova Versão Internacional-NVI). Seems like a new story once again. For over a year I had prepared vertical charts in the book of Revelation in Portuguese as a basis for my personal devotions. Even learned how to do them on Word with a sprinkling of clip art. Send me your email address and I will send you a sample of these creations!

Decided not to read the whole Bible through during 2007. However in a couple weeks I will be teaching Old Testament I at SCEN and may challenge myself and students to read through at least the O. T. during the March to June term. In case I do that, I already have a jump start reading Genesis these days! All this reminds of Sr. João in our church. He will turn 80 this year and has read the entire Bible through 47 times! And he is still doing it. Says he doesn't care to read other things, just his Bible... I met a young church staff member while selling the Nave's Topical Bible during my summer break from seminary back in the '60's in Tampa, FL. Said their staff had a standing assignment to read the entire KJV Bible through once a month! Took them 2 or 3 hours a day, but hey, isn't that as important as some other things you and I use our time for? Just some thoughts this morning.

35 Years South of the Equator

Well, not very far south, maybe 4 or 6 degrees? I guess that's why it stays so hot year round on our island. The rains we thought had started didn't really yet, but they will. At least the acerola bush started giving its cherry-like fruit so high in vitamins.

Yes, 35 years yesterday, Jan. 21, that we first arrived in Brazil, stepping off that Boeing 707 in the middle of the night in Belem. Been quite an adventure since then: language school, a year and a half in a town on the Trans Amazon Road, nearly 16 years at the Seminary, return to Belem for 10 years, and soon to complete 6 more years back at the Seminary. All interspersed with leave-times in the States. During the years God gave us three wonderful children. One became a scientist, one a school teacher and the other a web master, all bi-lingual, married and beginning to give us our grandchildren! All living in the U. S. but with 'saudades' of the land of their birth. God bless them!

Should point out that we are citizens of three places: The U. S. by birth, family, mission and church affliation. Permanent residency in Brazil by missionary calling and career. Heaven by God's mercy and grace. The adventure continues!

Great Visit & New Year!

Was a great time with our granddaughter and her parents over Christmas! We managed to visit many of the significant places and people from our daughter's growing up years here in Brazil. The baby is a great traveler and charmer wherever she goes, as you can see. After four days of sightseeing in Rio, the family braved the Brazilian airline slow-down, arriving in S. Luis 12 hours later than anticipated. Right after Christmas we were off to a nearby beach house for two days and then spent three busy days in Belem, an hour's flight away. Other than several of us catching colds, things went really

well throughout the wonderful visit till we had to say goodbye today. AND, news from our oldest son in RI is that our newest grandson is doing well! However, others in that family are fighting colds. Our youngest son and his wife missed most of the bad weather in CO and are now back to their jobs in Arkansas. So it goes in the Stoner family. The New Year celebrations included my marking one more birthday. Am thankful to God for LIFE, health, family and ministry. Btw, the rains have started!