The Concrete Jungle

University of Barcelona...

2012-01-18T07:39:00.000-06:00

I had enough of meetings, even lunch, so I headed over

to the University of Barcelona and hung out.

Students were really friendly.

IWC Team

2012-01-18T07:20:00.001-06:00

This is a picture of this year's IWC Leadership team;

Lerin, Clarissa and Melody. International

World Changers will host Zoe Fest in May.

Barcelona!

2012-01-18T04:23:00.001-06:00

Melody and I are attending a conference in

Barcelona, Spain. These are just a few

of the pictures of the city.

Over the Alps flying from Munich
to Barcelona

Amazing sight flying over the Alps

Street corner

Port in Barcelona

Museum Nacional d'Art

Basilica Sagrada Familia

The Mediterranean

Inside the basilica

Celebrating the Lord's Supper together then, in the bairro!

2011-12-18T11:43:00.000-06:00

"And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the

Mount of Olives." Matthew 26:30

Saturday night, Zoe Marajoara celebrated the Lord's Supper.

I love this time, as a time of personal reflection, bringing

the church together remembering why we exist.

We exist for Jesus Christ.

The book of Matthew says that after the disciples had taken

the Lord's Supper, they went out. That's pretty typical

of Jesus...to go. And, it's pretty typical of Zoe.

Zoe is mobile. And, we're always going.

We don't have a mount to go to but there's a busy

street not far from our home where many businesses

and apartments exist. Lots of people walk Socrates.

We took guitars, djembe, even a harmonica along with

our free hug signs and candy canes. We simply

wanted to go into our neighborhood to share Christ.

Conversation and music around the table.

Leticia and Thiago leading worship.

Christian on the djembe.

Thiago, Junior and Caleb outside
Pao de Acucar grocery.

Leticia and Rachel giving free hugs!

Raquel, Ashley and Lalinha on the
other side of the street.

A family came up to get a group hug!

Free hugs always starts conversation.

Baptism celebration!

2011-12-10T19:50:00.000-06:00

Tonight, Zoe baptized Rodrigo. Rodrigo prayed inviting

Jesus into his life this past Monday night at Dominos Pizza,

of all places. This was after Zoe gave free hugs on

Paulista Avenue.

Zoe allows those being baptized to chose who they

want to baptize as long as that person is a baptized

believer in Christ themselves. Raquel had the honor

and she was really excited about it.

Zoe opened with worship. Then, Junior shared about baptism.

Raquel baptized Rodrigo.

That was followed by Christmas dinner and hanging out

as family. It was a great night.

Chris and Rodrigo

The weather is unseasonably cool which made the
water pretty cold!

Worship prior to baptism

And after worship, baptism and Christmas
dinner we just hang out, talk,
sing, and have fun being church!

Christmas dinner was really good with
chicken, rice, pao de queijo, desserts.

Saying "good-bye" never gets easy

2011-12-04T14:25:00.001-06:00

Saturday night Zoe celebrated and said "good-bye" to

Holly, Kristin, Caleb and Ellis. The four of them

came to Sao Paulo in August. They head back

this coming Friday. The IMB started a program called

"Hands On" a few years ago. It's a program which allows

American college students an entire semester outside

the US helping missionaries in their ministries.

Ellis, Caleb, Kristin and Holly simply came to make

friends making a connection to Zoe. And made

friends they did. Zoe begins at 6:30 pm but the last person

left around 1:00 am. At last count, there were at least

80 people attending...and the food never ran out!

Talk about a miracle! :)

The room was in over-flow mode with people
standing, sitting and even outside.

We laid hands on them and prayed...and
then we ate!

Pictures: Christian Calvacante Soares

Music and Hugs at Metro Jabaquara

2011-12-02T19:26:00.000-06:00

Zoe began something new tonight. Around 8pm, a group of us

met at a metro stop to give free hugs and music. Lalinha played

her guitar and sang. The rest of us hugged people. We're looking

to include more guitars, bongos and huggers next time we

do this. It's amazing how many conversations start up

simply because of a hug.

Wedding Day for Leticia and Junior

2011-11-27T15:43:00.000-06:00

Leticia and Junior have been with Zoe since

day one. Junior is one of Zoe's elders. Leticia

leads worship on Saturday nights. The couple

finally tied the knot last night!

Chris, Junior and Junior's mom

Leticia's dad walking her down the aisle

Sealed with a kiss!

Leticia and Melody

The ceremony was led by two pastors;
me from Zoe and a family friend, a
Presbyterian pastor

Thiago, Rachel, Leticia, Junior,
me and Melody

Michael walked the aisle bringing
the BIble

Thanksgiving 2011

2011-11-24T11:10:00.000-06:00

Melody always does her best to make holidays special. This

year, we have a large group on our team. Holly, Ellis,

Kristin and Caleb are here for the semester. Ashley and

Heather are Journeyman missionaries on our team. So,

with our own family (Wes is in the USA) plus our friends,

we had ten around the table this year. Preparing Thanksgiving

dinner is quite the chore but it's a huge labor of love.

Everything is done by scratch. Turkeys are small and

extremely expensive. She starts the day prior and

doesn't stop til it's time to eat. 2011 will do

down as one of the best Thanksgiving meals on record.

Melody with Kristin, Ashley, Heather and Holly
in the background.

Heather stirring something.

Holly with cornbread, I think.

Ellis and Caleb loading up!

Melody, Holly and Kristin

Left to Right, Rachel, Holly, Kristin, Ashley, Michael,
Ellis, Caleb, Heather and Melody

Always a fun time in Rio...

2011-11-11T16:35:00.001-06:00

This past week, I traveled with Caleb, Kristin, Ellis

and Holly (Hands On) and Ashley & Heather (Journeyman).

The place? Rio de Janeiro. It's about a 45 minute flight

from Sao Paulo. We stayed just over two days and

wished it could have been longer. A friend of mine

once said, "You can't come to Brasil without going

to Rio!" I think he's right!

"Hands On" semester interns, Caleb, Kristin,
Ellis and Holly. This is on top of Pao de Acucar
looking toward one of the 7 Wonders of the World,
the Christ statue.

Ashley and Heather enjoying lunch on the beach in front
of the Copacabana Palace Hotel.

After a brisk walk to Ipanema Beach, we returned to eat
dinner on Copacabana.

Ashley, Caleb and Heather went hang-gliding!

Caleb getting take-off instructions.

Ellis and the monkeys on Pao de Acucar.

Yeah, this is real.

1st Saturday!

2011-11-06T15:25:00.000-06:00

With Zoe now meeting in two locations on Saturday night,

we take the first Saturday and meet together. It's

a really fun time of games, food, music, testimonies

and hanging out together.

Hanging out, sharing stories, eating!

Rodrigo and Ashley catching up

Leticia and Thiago leading music

Food!

Halloween FESTA!

2011-10-28T20:36:00.000-05:00

Captain Jack Sparrow and um, friend

Caleb, Ellis, Michael, Christian and David

Heather and David

Holly, Ricardo, Igor, Paulo and Humble Nerd

Jenny and Forrest

Three Blind Mice

Lima, Peru

2011-10-28T20:12:00.000-05:00

I've shared some pictures from Lima about a year ago. This

past week I attended another meeting in the city. These

are just a few of my pictures I took while there.

From my plane flying over somewhere

Community Transformation Training

2011-10-28T20:06:00.000-05:00

When it comes to training and keeping missionaries ahead

of the game, no one does it better than the IMB. This past week

I attended CT Training in Lima, Peru with other colleagues

from around our region. CT involves using human needs

in an effort to share the gospel with a community.

VIcki Lassiter led the training with Jen Barger.

Terry Lassiter led one of the morning devotions.
Terry is the America's Affinity leader.

Yeah, just a doormat

Zoe Marajoara....

2011-10-22T19:59:00.000-05:00

Just a few pictures from tonight...

Each Saturday night, we pray with Gui and Maggie.
They lead Zoe Sao Bernardo and we pray with
each other via Skype. This is Caleb going over
some notes on the book of Acts with Gui and Maggie.

Everyone gathered around the table

Thiago playing some James Taylor. Nice.

Christian, Michael and Thiago leading worship

Sexta FESTA!

2011-10-22T19:53:00.000-05:00

Friday night, Zoe Marajoara hosted "Sexta FESTA". It's our

answer to the Zoe Cafe which was held down the

street for several years. We just moved it all

to our house and outside. It was a lot of fun with

friends from Senac University, neighbors, and Zoe.

Michael and Caleb did their best to get the fire going.
It's been an unusually cool October for Sao Paulo!

Ana Paula, Marcia and Giovanni

Tula kept trying to play.

Zoe Marajoara on a cool and rainy Saturday night

2011-10-15T21:30:00.000-05:00

Four years ago this month, Zoe was birthed out of an idea

in our den. Melody and I met with Junior, Leticia and

Ermeson. They basically gave me a strange look and

laughed at the idea of starting a church. Fast-forward

to 2011, and Zoe is now represented by two house

meetings. One meets in our home in the Marajoara

neighborhood. The other meets in the Sao Paulo

suburb of Sao Bernardo do Campo. Each Saturday

night, our two groups pray together via Skype.

Zoe Sao Bernardo and Zoe Marajoara begin at 6:30.

We believe that

in 2012, a third will begin in Guarulhos.

Zoe is a church, a group of people who follower Jesus Christ,

who share everything, believe in God for the impossible,

and whose DNA is missional. Zoe doesn't consider her

two house meetings on Saturday nights as church. But this

is where Zoe meets for worship, for deeper discussion in the

word, for baptism and for the Lord's Supper.

Zoe happens on college campuses, Starbucks,

in giving free hugs, working in a slum, neighborhood

parties, an English school, and a park.

We believe the church is people, not a building.

We believe the church is commanded to make disciples.

We believe church happens 7 days a week.

We believe genuine friendship is the key to sharing Christ.

A few months ago, Zoe Marajoara met in another
company-owned home. We were growing so much that
we moved the furniture out of the room and rugs were
bought for us to sit on. But then God spoke to Zoe leadership.
Instead of Zoe Marajoara growing beyond the room we had,
God led us to begin a new work in Sao Bernardo.

A group from Zoe Marajoara began a group in Sao Bernardo.
And, Zoe Marajoara moved back to our house.

This is Michael and Leticia. Leticia is a student
at Mackenzie University. She and Junior will marry
in November. Michael is Junior's brother. And Junior
is the elder of Zoe Marajoara.

Zoe has four men who serve as elders.

Thiago became a Christian a couple of years
ago. He came to an event called Zoe Fest.
Not long after, Leticia shared Christ with Thiago
and was baptized by Chris Black. Thiago and
my daughter Rachel have been dating for
little over a year.

"The table' is central to Zoe. This is where everyone brings
food to share. Food was an important aspect in
New Testament life. It's important to Zoe, too!

Oktobreakfast!

2011-10-12T19:35:00.000-05:00

Today is a holiday in Brasil. It's Children's Day and also

Nossa Senhora Aparecida, the patron saint of Brasil.

Gui and Maggie opened their home up for Oktobreakfast!

Their home is also where Zoe Sao Bernardo meets

each Saturday night. We had a lot of fun eating

pancakes, eggs, bacon, "grits" and just hanging

out with each other on the holiday.

Gui, Felipe, Thiago, and a friend

Maggie and Grafite

Christian stuffing his face

Renato and Ashley

Niyi probably on his second time thru!

Raquel, Kristin, Heather and Felipe

A rare shot of Christian doing the dishes. Maggie
made sure he had an apron on.

Awwww, Thiago (with mouth full) and Rachel

Ellis, Thiago, Christian and Gui

Renato preparing pancakes with Raquel

FULL! Ashley, Maggie, Thiago,
Gui, Christian, Junior and Leticia

Free Hugs on Paulista Avenue then, Zoe at Starbucks

2011-10-10T22:10:00.000-05:00

Melody broke her arm...

2011-10-10T21:56:00.001-05:00

...well actually, it was Tula. Melody came downstairs

last Friday morning. She slipped and fell on a wet

floor, breaking her wrist in three places.

Zoe Maraoara....

2011-10-10T21:52:00.000-05:00

Zoe now meets in 2 locations on Saturday nights. One group

meets in our house and another in Sao Bernardo.

These are some pictures from last Saturday in our home.

Rachel made Michael a brownie cake for his 10th birthday.

Caleb, Junior and Daniel

Rachel and Leticia

48 hours with Wes and friends

2011-10-10T21:41:00.000-05:00

2 days wasn't enough but that's all I had. When I left the

conference on Sunday, I flew to Virginia to visit Wes.

I really enjoyed hanging out with him and his friends.

This is late night pizza at Domino's. Um yeah, I didn't

get a picture with Wes. Duh.

This ain't Sao Paulo!

2011-10-10T21:37:00.000-05:00

After the conference, I flew to Virginia to spend a couple

of days with Wes. I flew into Richmond and flew back

out on my way back to Sao Paulo. I rented a car

out of Lynchburg and couldn't get enough of this

ride. Windows rolled down, music up. Love it.

Pumpkins and eats!

2011-10-10T21:31:00.000-05:00

I probably shouldn't admit this but, I like Halloween more

than Christmas. I don't know. I always have. One morning

I went out exploring the thriving small metropolis of

Olathe, KS and came upon 2 large pumpkin "patches".

Then, I have to share one of my favorite places to eat

in the USA...Panera Bread Company.

And though I'm really not a fan of Cracker Barrel, they

do serve my favorite meal of chicken 'n dumplin's,

mac and cheese and mashed potatoes and gravy.

Yeah, doesn't make for a very colorful meal but who

cares? It all disappears anyway!

Sentralized Conference

2011-10-10T21:21:00.000-05:00

A couple of weeks ago I attended a conference in Olathe, Kansas. Olathe is

a suburb of Kansas City, Missouri and the conference was called

Sentralized. The 3-day event was led by many of my "heroes" in

ministry such as Michael Frost, Alan Hirsch, Kim Hammond,

Lance Ford and others. These guys are leaders in teaching

"missional" not as the latest thing, but how the church should

function and lead. Missional doesn't mean you just send teams

or your church has a missions department. Missional is in

the DNA of your church. Missional is who you are. Zoe.

Over 500 attended. This was during morning worship.

Alan Hirsch teaching.

Kim Hammond

Lance Ford

And coffee from Brazil!

1st Saturday at the park

2011-09-03T19:14:00.000-05:00

Today, Zoe Marajoara and Zoe Sao Bernardo met

at Parque Ibirapuera. We celebrated the Lord's

Supper together, sang, played games, and ate!

Junior and Leticia

Christian, Gui and Thiago

Junior getting ready

Junior sharing about the Lord's Supper

I love coffee shops

2011-08-24T19:13:00.000-05:00

My favorite place to get away from everything

is a coffee shop. Brasil is coffee. There are

coffee shops everywhere yes, including

Starbucks. But I gotta say, Brasilian coffee

is so much better...and stronger. I love taking

my Bible and journal to these places.

The best place, and most chique, is a place
downtown called Santo Grau. The picture
above is simply coffee but look. They
made a kitty face out of the foam. The bad
this is, I hate cats!

These two pictures are from a coffee shop
inside a bookstore at Marketplace Mall.
It even has a window where you can look
out into the city. The coffee shop is kinda hidden
so you have to go to there. It's not like you just
happen upon it while in the mall.

Ah, just a few weeks ago Santo Grau opened up
near Mackenzie University. They have some of the
best cheese bread. I ordered a large cafe com leite
but I didn't realize it'd be this large!

I thought I had seen it all

2011-08-24T16:49:00.000-05:00

Believe it or not, there are over 28,000 indigenous

people who live in the city of Sao Paulo.

Many of them are students.

I've never seen them selling their cds til today.

Another protest on Paulista

2011-08-24T16:45:00.002-05:00

I seem to be walking into these more often. Students

are protesting budget cuts for federally

funded universities today.

Getting back to our roots!

2011-08-20T17:41:00.000-05:00

Four years ago God laid on our hearts to begin a

church, in our house. Four years later, Zoe meets

for worship, fellowship and Bible study in two

locations. Saturday nights at 6:30 a group

meets in Jardim Marajoara and in Sao Bernardo.

And, we're beginning a new work on the Mackenzie

University campus with the purpose of planting

church number three in the Higienopolis neighborhood

downtown. It's a God-thing to be able to share with

people how students and young professionals are

planting and leading churches in Sao Paulo.

Zoe: One Church, Three Locations!

Downtown Sao Paulo

2011-08-19T15:38:00.000-05:00

Often times, pictures speak for themselves.

This is downtown Sao Paulo, Brasil.

I love this place. Much of the

architecture is over 100 years old.

But it's the people walking around.

It's the smell of churrasco.

It's the languages. It's "centro"!

Sidewalk cafe

Brasilian Stock Exchange

The Socialist Party setting up

A protest against abuse

Today, I felt very convicted...

2011-08-19T15:16:00.000-05:00

This afternoon, I took our Hands On crew of four downtown.

Outside the Se Cathedral is what we fondly call, "the

screaming preacher". He's there everyday preaching

the gospel and draws quite a crowd. And then, the plaza

is full of homeless people. Some are drunk. Some are

on drugs. Most are hungry. Many of them line the steps

of the church some wanting pity, others help.

I don't know. You have a huge church in front of you and

a preacher behind you. And yet, neither really doing

anything to help anyone. Then it was like God saying to

me, "Get over yourself. What are YOU doing?"

Don't get me wrong. I love God's word. I enjoy listening

to podcasts and watching Andy Stanley. I have a huge

library of Christian music mixed with my James Taylor,

mind you but I wonder if we got our noses out of

being fed and getting fat, how much more fit the

church could be. Imagine if we really DID what we

read and listen. We want to see a changed world.

Okay, enough sermon...

Happy Birthday, Paul!

2011-08-19T15:00:00.000-05:00

Sao Paulo means, "Saint Paul", named after Paul

of the Bible. For his 2,000th birthday,

the church placed a huge statue of the man

in front of the Se Cathedral. The poor man's

toes are turning to gold because people

rub them for good luck! I sure wish it

was really that easy, don't you?

At the very center of town, in Brasilian cities...

2011-08-19T14:55:00.000-05:00

...is a Catholic church. Se is roughly 100 years old,

and is huge. Her steeples tower to the sky almost

like rockets. The outside of the church is

"guarded" by statues of saints who have gone

before us. In the very front, is a plaza where

a statue of St Paul stands, where the homeless

beg and sleep, makeshift barber shops are

set up, and is lined by palm trees.

The inside of Se reminds me of the
movie "Sister Act"!

A lady, probably just out doing some business
downtown, praying to the virgin Mary.

As the mother of God, Mary is usually
represented as larger than her son, Jesus.

This has always disturbed me. This is Jesus in
a coffin. Mary is there on the right with a dagger
in her heart, mourning the loss of her son.
I've got news for her, news she already knows.
Jesus is alive!

Environmentally correct candles!

Churches are sometimes like museums

2011-08-17T21:02:00.000-05:00

I love exploring new places and bairros around

Sao Paulo. The city has probably hundreds

of Catholic churches. Most of them

are like museums, full of artwork and sculptures.

The pictures below are a few I took this morning.

I love the airport...

2011-08-17T20:43:00.001-05:00

Sao Paulo's International Airport is a fascinating place. I mean

yeah the people, but it's the airplanes, folks!

Qatar, American, British and Emirates

Air Portugal, Aero Sur, South African Airways

Air France (duh)

Iberia on her way to Madrid

Aero Mexico, Tam, Delta, United, Luftansa,
American and Air Canada

Turkish in from Istanbul

Webjet (just bought by Tam), Avianca (Columbia)

Turkish 777 behind the tail of a Luftansa 747

The Brasilian version of Air Force One!
Presidente Dilma headed back to Brasilia.

Zoe Marajoara...

2011-08-14T21:06:00.000-05:00

Zoe Marajoara is on the move again! Next Saturday, we'll

be moving back to our house, where Zoe began. These

are some pictures of our last night in our present location.

Leticia and Junior praying together. Leticia
leads our worship. Junior is an elder of Zoe.

Group prayer time prior to start.

Matt and Steven are part of a volunteer
team of six who came from Minneapolis
this week.

Gui is another one of our elders. He and
his wife Maggie are leading a new
church plant where they live in Sao Bernardo.
Next Saturday, Zoe will meet in two locations!

Caleb, Thiago, Leticia and Ashley getting music together.

We asked everyone to sign their name on the Zoe wall.

Nayara is moving to Minas Gerais this week. She's led
our Z Point at Starbucks each Monday night.
Zoe believes in prayer and this is our
church laying hands and praying for her.

And then we prayed over Gui and Maggie.

One Last Zoe Cafe!

2011-08-12T20:44:00.000-05:00

Tonight is Zoe's last "Cafe". The Zoe Cafe has been a

quase-monthly tradition for over two years. Food, new friends,

loud music, neighbor complaining...it's all in good fun, even the

cranky neighbor! Zoe's used the mission-owned home for retreats,

Saturday night meetings, living quarters, and just hanging out.

But this next week, we say "thanks" and turn in the keys.

Zoe Marajoara will continue in our home, where Zoe began.

The Cafe? Time to move on! :)

Zoe Higienopolis at Mackenzie University

2011-08-10T06:40:00.000-05:00

Zoe is planting a new church in Higienopolis. Higienopolis is a

neighborhood in downtown Sao Paulo. Mackenzie University

is in this neighborhood where nearly 30,000 students attend

classes. Zoe isn't about planting student churches. Zoe

starts with the student, the "jovem". Young people are teachable,

moldable, they're mobile, ready for change. Students graduate,

marry, have families. Our "target" is the student but our

heart is the wherever God leads through them.

We've had ministry on this campus in the past, but this
morning our goal was to meet, pray, and begin a church.
This is Felipe. He's a friend for 9 years.

Fabricio is Zoe's leader on campus. And, he's one
of Felipe's piano students!

Six of us got together this morning at 7 to pray and
dedicate ourselves and our time to the Lord.
This is gonna be good!

Z-Point Paulista @ Starbucks

2011-08-08T20:31:00.000-05:00

Monday nights are a lot of fun. Zoe meets at 6:30 for free hugs on

Paulista Avenue. Then, at 7:00 we meet together at Starbucks.

Nayara leads a devotion where everyone can chime in.

Zoe's "1st Saturday" at Parque Ibirapuera

2011-08-06T17:04:00.001-05:00

Every 1st Saturday of the month, Zoe meets in the

Central Park of Sao Paulo.

We just hang out, have fun, play, and even give out

free hugs. With Zoe going to three locations, we decided

we needed to start getting together at least once a month.

Zoe Marajoara continues each Saturday.

Zoe Mackenzie begins this Wednesday. And,

Zoe Sao Bernardo is set to begin in September. I never knew

church planting could be so much fun!

Michael chasing Leticia in some game they were playing.

Thiago, Caleb and Michael leading us in song.

Not everyone, but almost!

Ohhhhhhhhhhhh, Michael!

Can't hide, Tales!

Arts in the Park

2011-08-06T16:53:00.000-05:00

Today, the Sao Paulo Museum of Modern Art held a type of "Kid's Day".

Not sure exactly what all it involved. I happened upon this as I was

waiting for friends coming to Zoe's 1st Saturday. This kinda of stuff

makes me want to be a kid again!

More art around the city...

2011-08-03T18:55:00.002-05:00

Always a protest somewhere!

2011-08-03T18:51:00.000-05:00

This freedom of speech thing is pretty new to Brasil. Brasil has

only been a democracy for a couple of decades. There are protests

all the time. Rachel, Michael and I ran into one while on Avenida

Paulista this past Monday. We really don't know what it was about.

But, it was fun to watch!

Those are toilet seats.

She was painting something on the sidewalk. Something.

The leaders of the protest like their megaphones!

Quick trip to Atibaia

2011-08-03T18:44:00.000-05:00

Last week, the company held a meeting just outside Atibaia. Atibaia

is a town about an hour outside of Sao Paulo. Of course I went to

most meetings, but I needed to help the higher ups with some

business, so I went into town to take care it. These are pictures

of the town. The small interior towns help to remind me of the

simplicity of life in Brasil...outside of Sao Paulo!

Thursday morning feira in Higienopolis

2011-07-21T19:54:00.000-05:00

Outdoor neighborhood markets. Love 'em! This is so much a part

of Brasilian culture. Most "feiras" are set up one morning a week,

taking up street space. Vendors rent the space, bring their fruits,

meats, veggies, even snacks for sale.

The entrance, just down the street from Mackenzie University.

Preparing pasteis, a type of hot pocket, but much better!

You wouldn't believe the number of oranges.

How about a broom or other cleaners?

Pigs feet anyone?

How about a cow tongue for dinner tonight?

I enjoy a good cemetery!

2011-07-18T21:17:00.000-05:00

Latin American cemeteries are unlike anything I've

ever experienced. Many in Sao Paulo are

memorials to family members.

Families purchase plots and build these often-times

huge monuments with room inside for those

yet to come! I find them fascinating.

The monuments can tell if the family is wealthy,

religious, even ethnicity.

Wouldn't this be fun on October 31?

Some families pay thousands and thousands.

"I stand at the door and knock..."

Yeah, I didn't get this one. Is she one of those who
have since passed on?

Graffiti...kinda like a free, open to the public art show!

2011-07-18T21:02:00.000-05:00

Most times we associate graffiti as ugly. But in this city

there are some real artists. I took these around town

over the past couple of days.

I found the coolest organic coffee shop today...

2011-07-18T20:51:00.000-05:00

The guy said, "We only use soy milk." Never had it.
Soy milk isn't bad. Anyway this place is an organic
restaurant, pretty trendy, and I'll take the mrs. one day.

Pretty much an old house which the owner turned into
a coffee shop/cafe.

I have no idea why the flying pig
but wondered if they had Corky's BBQ!

Happy 23rd Anniversary to...us!

2011-07-17T13:15:00.001-05:00

Sao Paulo is an international city. Melody and I celebrated our
23rd annivesary at a French Bistro.

We shared our plates. Melody had a cheese, chicken
and cream crepe with a side salad.

Our other plate was chicken Coq au Vin with rice.

The restaurant sits in the back of this small
walking street. The street is home to several
specialty shops.

A local feira (market) in downtown Sao Paulo.

Veggies for sale

Many Paulistanos do their fruit and vegetable
shopping on Sundays.

It's a good place to take Fido!

Flowers and plants

Top things off, coffee and dessert
at Santo Grau, a local and very
chique coffee shop!

A crepe filled with Nutella creme and a
side scoop of vanilla ice cream for
a rich and filling dessert.

We couldn't figure out what the design was.

Fortunately, Melody's had the kitty.

Mexican Night at Zoe Marajoara!

2011-07-17T12:57:00.000-05:00

Believe it or not, Mexican food is not common in Brasil. Zoe

took care of that. For "the table" we asked everyone to bring

ingredients for soft tacos. It was goooooooood!

I jokingly told the girls that they knew their place
in the home. That didn't go over very well. I said
"jokingly"! Anyway....

Michael and Rodrigo

Grecia, Caleb and Renato getting music ready

Michael, Thiago and Caleb

Junior bringing the word

Monday's Free Hugs!

2011-07-12T16:19:00.000-05:00

Tales, Lais, Matheus and Rachel waiting
for the next group crossing the street. People
are leaving work to go home. And sometimes,
groups are as large as 100+!

We're at the same two street corners every week.
Some people look for us. Some people have never
seen "free hugs" before now. Some people stand
and stare. I got tired of this group staring so I went
over to talk to them, shared about Zoe, and gave
them all a free hug. Awwwwww...

Free hugs on a cold winter's night

2011-07-04T23:04:00.000-05:00

Tonight is the coldest night of the year so far. So hard

to believe that it's July 4th! But the temp read

8 celcius, about 46 F! We gave a lot of hugs

out tonight and met lots of people.

Z Point: Zoe Paulista at Starbucks

2011-07-04T22:55:00.000-05:00

Every Monday night, Zoe meets at 6:30 to give away

free hugs on Paulista Avenue. Then, we head over

to Starbucks for coffee and conversation. Nayara is

one of Zoe's leaders who leads a devotion.

Lerin, Nayara, Michael and Diogo

Group shot of most of 17 attending tonight.

Christian, Tales, me and Renato

Diogo. This guy will be a soccer star.

Fotos: Christian Cavalcante

Tales is baptized by his best friend Matheus!

2011-07-03T15:45:00.002-05:00

Sometimes, pictures do speak louder than words!

Praying for and sending back out!

2011-07-03T15:43:00.000-05:00

Zoe laying on of hands and praying for Matheus. Matheus
was recently baptized by his sister Nayara. His family is
moving next week to Minas Gerais.

Our Hands On crew leaves Thursday. This is Zoe Marajoara
laying on of hands, praying for Mark, Lerin, Amber, Michael
and Kyle, sending them back to the USA.

Gui and Maggie are traveling this month to the USA.
We prayed for them as well. Gui is one of Zoe's elders.
He and Maggie will begin Zoe Sao Bernardo do Campo in
September, in their home, with about 6 others.

Zoe peeps

2011-07-03T15:40:00.000-05:00

I looked up to see what the internet says is the definition of "church". I was

sad to read that most definitions wrote that church is a building where

Christians worship. Wrong. The church is not a building. The church

is a group of Jesus followers who tell others about how Jesus Christ

has changed their lives. At Zoe Marajoara, we meet to share how God

has been moving the past week encouraging each other to go

back out and share Christ. These are some of the faces of Zoe Marajoara.

Cleaning up the favela!

2011-06-29T20:51:00.001-05:00

In the favela with "No Other Name"

2011-06-29T20:44:00.000-05:00

"No Other Name" is a Christian group who led a mission team to

work with Zoe this week. They are part of the International

Mission Board's "One Life" service projects. Thirteen came

from the US this week to work with the kids in the favela.

Fernanda is a student from Mackenzie University.
Kyle is one of our Hands On semester interns.

Renato is a journalism major at Methodist University
in Sao Bernardo. The team sponsored a block
party and bought 30 pizzas for the kids.

Lerin is another of our Hands On interns.

The pizza was a hit!

"Zoe Ama Sao Paulo" Favela Project

2011-06-29T20:29:00.000-05:00

"Zoe Ama Sao Paulo" means "Zoe Loves Sao Paulo".

This is where Zoe takes an active role in our

community and city. We've adopted a slum not far

from Zoe Marajoara. Each month we play games,

share Bible stories, and have snacks with the kids.

These are some pictures from the favela.

Congrats, Caleb & Grecia!

2011-06-19T16:31:00.000-05:00

Zoe celebrated our first wedding Saturday afternoon!

Grecia and Melody

Thiago and Kyle playing

Junior walks the Bride down the aisle!

Me and the Groom!

Reading from Ephesians 5. I didn't mess up too much!

Uh, Chris...my name is Caleb, not Cable.

Signing a Bible committing their marriage to Christ.

"Voce pode beijar a noiva!"

Throwing the bouquet...who gets it?

Rachel!

Hands On debriefing in Rio de Janeiro

2011-06-14T19:45:00.000-05:00

Michael, Kyle, Courtney, Amber, Lerin and Mark
with Jesus in the background!

Copacabana Beach

The Christ statue from a distance

Looking down from Sugar Loaf

Looking over at the Christ statue from Sugar Loaf

Festa Junina and Courtney's "going away" party at Zoe Marajoara

2011-06-14T19:37:00.000-05:00

June is big in Brasil, especially in the northeast. Each year,

Zoe celebrates at least one June party called, Festa Junina.

Hard to explain. You just need to come and experience it!

Niyi, Kyle, Christian, Renato,
Tales and Michael

Courtney, Kyle, Ana Paula and Renato

Prayer time before Zoe Marajoara

Ana Paula welcoming

Caleb, Leticia, Christian, Niyi and Thiago

Zoe gets crazy after hours...

2011-06-04T20:34:00.000-05:00

Faces of Zoe

2011-06-04T20:32:00.002-05:00

Roberto, Caleb, Kyle and Gui

Christian and Renato

Maggie and Gui

Grecia and Caleb

Kyle and Tales

Michael and Christian

Thiago and Rachel

Changin' it up

2011-06-04T20:25:00.001-05:00

Most churches, when they grow, go into debt, raise funds,
and build a big building. Not Zoe. We throw out the
couches, bar and any other obstacles. Then, buy some
small rugs to make more room!

Zoe Retreat Weekend.

2011-06-04T20:15:00.000-05:00

Former Journeyman Chris Bowman and Daniel Moss

are students at Southern Evangelical Seminary. They've

been traveling Brasil conducting lectures at various churches

on apologetics. And, one of those churches was Zoe.

The guys led a couple of sessions Saturday morning

and then during Zoe Marajoara. We'll wrap things up

Sunday morning. It's been a good weekend.

Rachel interpreting for Daniel.

We moved it outside. The weather was great.

Chris led tonight at Zoe Marajoara with Leticia interpreting.

Zoe Fest 2011, part 1

2011-05-30T21:35:00.000-05:00

Zoe Fest is an event held each year, sponsored by Zoe and

imb connecting through International World Changers.

Zoe Fest is an outdoor live music, games, and food party held at

Yazigi Internexus, a language school just up the street in our neighborhood.

This year we had 400 in attendance. American college students have

been hitting the USP, Mackenzie and Senac campuses all week

inviting Brasilian students to the Saturday event.

It was cold and rainy. But, right at 1:00pm, when Zoe Fest was to

officially begin, the sun came out.

The rock climbing wall was the centerpiece.

Thiago headed up!

That's Rachel on the right.

Leticia getting students registered.

This guy was amazing with his card tricks.

Bastante gente!

Zoe Fest 2011, part 2

2011-05-30T21:15:00.000-05:00

Free Hugs! Drivers pulled over as did a bus!

Yazigi is a school which teaches several languages including
English. Yazigi is about a 5" walk from our house.

Maggie talking with Joao whom I met at Mackenzie
nearly 9 years ago.

Rachel registering a student.

Jorge's brother, Jorge and Courtney. Jorge is a friend
who Courtney met at Senac.

Michael made some friends, too!

Maggie, Marcia and Lu

Kyle and Christian

Fernando, our DJ and Junior

Brothers of a different mother, Renato and Chris B

Keilan lived in north Brasil several years ago.
He played and the crowd thought Elvis was back.

Rachel and Leticia drawing names for the iPods.

Zoe began 4 years ago this September...

2011-05-30T07:23:00.001-05:00

...and just a few months later, a group from Valdosta State University came,
laying their hands on Emerson, Felipe, Junior, Leticia, Gabi, Melody,
Rachel and myself committing to pray for Zoe.

Today, Zoe Marajoara has roughly 35 attending each week.

Zoe has baptized 13. Zoe has ministry on three college

campuses, a bakery and a Starbucks. Zoe Fest this year

saw 400 in attendance. Zoe works in a slum, gives free hugs

at yearly city-wide events such as the Virada Cultural and

during the Gay Pride Parade. And, just last week, Zoe launched

a new work with the intention of a new Church in a suburb

of Sao Paulo called Sao Bernardo dos Campos.

PROTEST!!!!

2011-05-26T06:01:00.000-05:00

I'm not sure what HSPM means but I led a group downtown

Wednesday smack into a protest.

Some lady sharing with Derek about the protest.

This always amazes me...

2011-05-26T05:55:00.002-05:00

We take each team downtown. The Banespa Bank building is the

2nd tallest building in the city. I can't remember how many times

I've been up in 9 years, but I never tire of the view. Amazing...

all those buildings but all those people who live here.

Orientation and Debriefing

2011-05-26T05:49:00.000-05:00

With each team, we lead a time of orientation. We share about

Zoe, about Sao Paulo, about how to share the Gospel,

about Brasilian reality, etc.

Chris Black leading orientation.

Hands On interns Kyle and Lerin sharing.

Praying for our Hands On interns Lerin, Amber, Kyle,
Michael, Mark and Courtney

Free Hugs at Parque Ibirapuera!

2011-05-26T05:42:00.000-05:00

IWC Leadership

2011-05-26T05:36:00.000-05:00

Clarissa, Chris and Keilan...first night day after an all-night flight...

Random pics from Saturday...Zoe at Ibirapuera and Zoe Marajoara

2011-05-23T07:13:00.000-05:00

Chris Black bringing the word. He's in town as one of the
IWC team leaders.

Free hugs at Parque Ibirapuera

Family.

We had pizza but dessert was first! Fernando's
mom made this huge cake plus mousse!

Worship...djembe, bongos, 5 guitars, 4 nations and 87 voices.

We sometimes cut loose after worship. :) I mean, "they".

Welcome home Rachel!

2011-05-15T11:19:00.000-05:00

So Rachel arrives Friday morning and some of her friends
from Zoe planned a masquerade surprise party for her.
That's Leticia, on the left, her Brasilian sister.

I could tell you who that is hugging her if he wasn't wearing
a mask. But Raquel is behind him and she planned everything.

Of course Thi Thi.

Careful. That's Raquel and Courtney.

Some of the Zoe girls with Rachel.

Kyle and Courtney try to keep up with Thiago.

Then it was Backstreet time; Thiago, Renato and Ana Paula.

And oh yeah, Melody got into it with Leticia and Rachel!

It was the anniversary of...something

2011-05-15T10:56:00.000-05:00

There is a police substation just up the street in our neighborhood.
Last week the station was celebrating something, but we're not
sure what it ws. The Brasilian national anthem was played,
special speakers, dignitaries, and many more officers than
are normally around. We think it was something left over from
the dictatorship days of Brasil. No one could ever really explain it to us.

But we felt safe, as there were three police vehicles
surrounding our house.

Michael's got a buddy

2011-05-15T10:50:00.000-05:00

Mark is Michael's Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter,

and video games buddy. He's one of our Hands On interns

this semester. Mark and Michael have really hit it off. In fact,

Mark will come over at least once a week just to hang out

with Michael. it's a real ministry to our family, especially Michael!