Sunday August 21, 2011

Sunday August 21, 2011

I want to apologize for being such a slouch and not posting for a few days. There simply has not been enough time! I'll fill you in a little on the main events that have transpired since Friday.

Friday was by far the most memorable day thus far. There was a family member of mine that was having some health problems in Minnesota. And it was really tough for me to be sitting in Brazil while family is hurting. It made me really homesick. I came down to the kitchen for breakfast and Penny and their maid were waiting for me. Right as I walked in she says, "We're going to pray for your family member right now if that's ok". So they both prayed in Portuguese. It brought me to tears I was so moved by the Godly love that was shown to me and my family member. That was by far the highlight of my trip so far! Friday was also the
that an opportunity to teach English came about. I have about four hours of free time during the late morning and early afternoon and I thought that time could be used better and more for God's glory. So now I'll be teaching at least 4 people every week how to converse in English. Please pray for wisdom and opportunities to share my faith. I haven't ever taught  English. So this will be a new experience for sure! Friday was my first day of basketball practice as well! I wrote out an introduction to myself in Portuguese for the kids and I read it to them when they all arrived. I told them my background in basketball and coaching.I also told them that above all these things, I am a Christian and my prayer is that you come to know the glorious savior Jesus Christ. I don't think many of the kids know much about the Gospel. So in the one a week I have for practice, I need to install the Gospel with the power of God to these kids. I am so excited! Practice was very interesting as well. Only two of the thirteen that came had ever played basketball. So this is going to be about the basics. Rules and fundamentals are going to be the only things we will basically do. AND I have to make that fun as well. Phew! It's also a challenge to do this with an interpreter. Think about trying to teach or coach through a medium. Tough to say the least. It seemed as though the kids had fun though. Most of them said they would be back next week. I'm so excited! After practice I came home and ate dinner and hoped on the computer for a cyber date with my girlfriend :) While attempting to do that, I made a monumental discovery! Gmail has a voice chat. Its kind of like Skype with no video. So we had the opportunity to hear each other's voices. About brought me to tears and it surely did to Becky. So now anyone that wants to talk with me online can just add me. My email is erik.aleckson@gmail.com. I'd love to talk.

Of all the times in my life that I have thirsted for the Word of God. There has never been a time that I have thirsted more. I am making so many new discoveries each day in my reading! Maybe it's because of my lack of communication with the people or my looming loneliness. But many times people try to figure things out on there own when times get tough or sticky. I have found that the opposite, seeking God through his Word, prayer, and Biblical preaching from a pastor and myself have proved to be so much more full of joy and contentment. Seeing the richness and fullness of God in His creation blows me away. There is no other place to be if I desire to minister to anyone. My heart needs to be seeking to magnify Him, to glorify Him, and to honor Him in my daily reading, my conversations, my theology, and my thoughts. After that, just let the chips fall where they will in the words of John Piper. I can't be a second-hander who seeks to please men. I need to focus on what pleases God.

Yesterday was pretty much a day off. In the morning, the assistant pastor, Pastor Edilson and I set up a trampoline at a school in Gravatai for an event they were having. We then went to wrestling practice where I was yet again pummeled during the demonstrations thatTom does. I am getting better at teaching the moves though. In no way am I good at it yet though. After practice we came home and pretty much called it a day. At night, Becky and I had Bible study over Gmail chat again. Romans is such a deep and glorious book. If you want to know how you were saved. Read it. Study it. Listen to sermons on it. John Piper preached over 250 sermons on Romans. Desiringgod.org has every single one. Becky and I are only through the first one, but oh, we are so excited! The Gospel really is Good News! And the Romans is filled with Gospel!

I'm going to start taking the city bus into Porto Alegre a few times a week to go and play basketball in the parks there. I really need to feel a little independence. I currently only leave the house without Tom when I go jogging. So I need to get away occasionally. Hopefully Porto Alegre is a rich ministry field that needs harvesting. I'll be sure toalways carry Gospel tracts.

Today, after church is another lounging day. I am filling it with reading, study and worship. I'll have to admit that it is really easy to do today since its in the 40s outside! Brrrrrr! I'll hopefully be able to keep up with my posting this week. I should have a lot to share about my studying since we are going on vacation in Gremado. Tom says all we do is swim in the pool, watch movies and eat chocolate! So I'll have plenty of time to read and skype. If anyone wants to skype this week, I should be available a good portionof the time! Thanks!

"I used to want a lot of things. All that stuff that's on TV. Education, cars, and clothes. Fashion lights and jewelery. Focused on the wrong stuff. Now I got my eyes on You and now I know that God is enough!" -Lecrae



Joanie and the church kids playing "ninja" after church





Tom teaching Carla how to run the scoreboard in the sanctuary for the wrestling tournament next weekend at the church.