Brazil Adventure

This last weekend was exciting. I left for Brazil last Wednesday, and as usual I wished that I didn't have to go, but in the end, I enjoyed it very much. Ted Wilson, and his wife, Nancy were on the same plane I was on flying into Sao Paulo. We arrived in Brazil around noon and spent the whole day together. I must say, they are very down to earth people. Ted is quiet and Nancy has obviously never met a stranger. She is super sweet. Ted was scheduled to speak five times over the weekend. He attempted to give me one of his spots, but the organizers wouldn't hear of it. It isn't often that I don't get to preach on a trip. Consequently, it made for an easy assignment.

At 4:30 PM, we flew in to a place called Fortaleza, Brazil--right on the ocean. They put us up in a five star resort where the convention of the FE Brazil was held. FE means ASI for all intents and purposes. The organizers were elated. This is the first time that they had the GC President, the ASI President, the OCI President, the Brazil Division President, and 10 of the 12 Union presidents, plus a flock of pastors attending. (They weren't all there to see me, either.)

The weekend was relaxing and easy. I didn't have to preach. Being interviewed twice was productive but not stressful. Steven Grabiner, Brad Mills and I had a very good meeting with the FE leadership. They genuinely want a closer connection with ASI America.

Get this: The convention started with a meeting Thursday night at 7:00 PM. It ended around 11:00 PM. They don't hold to any schedule in that place. Oh the formality. It is enough to drive you nuts. The next morning they had a devotional half hour. Then there was no meeting until 7:00 at night. Steven and I had all day to hang out. We swam in the biggest waves I've ever tackled in my life. That was great fun. The food was scrumptious. I ate more papaya in this last week than I've eaten in the last ten years or  more.

Besides that, I'm home again. The Messiah's Mansion people are here. They project that this showing will be their biggest this year. People are flooding the place. We are so grateful. After the Messiah's Mansion we will celebrate Eden Valley's 50th anniversary during our convention, Sept. 28-30. All are invited. Then I am to do an evangelistic series based on the Sanctuary truth. There is always more to do than we can surround. Praise God.