-::The Northeast::-

Feel like you should have a new car, a bigger house, nicer clothes, and/or more money?  Do you go church for what you can give, or for what you get?  Come as we travel to the Northeast and we'll see how you feel when we're back.

Beep…Beep…Beep, its 4:00am and time to prepare for the day!  A day that will start the first of several and give us an unforgettable experience!  Arriving at the airport with sleepy eyes, checking our bags, and saying our good-byes, we anxiously anticipate our departure!

After flying for many hours, we land in Recife.  It is Tuesday morning, the sky is sunny, and is it ever hot!  Next stop, the car rental agency.  We are finally on our way to Maceio, approximately a 5 hour drive from Recife.  What a beautiful town!  It is located on the ocean with 5-star hotels and shrimp restaurants on the beach.  But that's not all that's there.  Let’s take a drive and leave what one would call the high class part of town and drive down the bumpy not so nice roads and neighborhoods, I am sure we will find a little building called a church, not just any church, but an "Apostolic Church of Brazil".

That’s right, an Apostolic Church – it is like a breath of fresh air after a hard day in the barn.  A place where a weary, tired and hungry soul can find relief from trouble, rest from despair, peace for their sorrow, and most of all Salvation! 

Look at all the sincere saints of God, even though they're not rich, don't have new clothes, live on dirt roads in not so nice houses, (what some might not even call a house), they know how to get a hold of God.  As we watch these precious people, I wonder what it is that causes us to become so independent.  Sometimes we come to church and can't find God.  Oh He's there, but we are so caught up with our earthly wealth and what goes on in our little world.  It takes a whole service just to get our mind clear enough that we might find a bit of His presence and give Him glory!  Not these folks, they don't need music or good singing, they just start praising Him for who He is and what He's done for them and His glory comes down.  They leave feeling refreshed and feel like they can make it another day.

Now we are ready to move on to the state of Iati!  Here we are once again parked outside a church building!  Yes indeed, an Apostolic Church Of Brazil.  As we approach the little door, we are struck with a beautiful presence of God and a building FULL of needy souls.  God Is So Faithful.  Weeping brothers and sisters, visitors’ tear filled eyes, and rejoicing hearts can all be found in this temple!  As the presence of God lingered and we pulled away, our minds wander as we began the trek back to Recife. (a 6 hour drive)

We have some time, why don’t we attend service at Pastor Adelar's on Sunday?  You won’t be disappointed!  How can words describe such an event that changes ones outlook on life?  Let me just say it this way, Heaven descended with an overwhelming POWER.  Many hungry hearts were filled and life was once worth living again.  Troubled minds went home with peace and weary souls felt strengthened!

What an experience!  Our visit is over it is currently 2:00am and we are just about to board.  We are on our way back to Esteio!

Thank you for coming on this trip with me!  I can say for myself, after seeing all those people and the condition in which they live, yet they come to church with a smile and give God everything they have.  Life is not going the best for most of them, but they still find something to praise Him for.  It certainly allows one to stand back and take a look at their own life and put things back into proper perspective.