Monday, May 30, 2011

Facts about Brazil

  • 5th Largest country in the world, with 4 different time zones.
  • Official language is Portuguese---Link to language help
  • Men greet men with a firm handshake, introducing themselves saying, "prazer" (pleasure, pronunced prah-zeyr), followed by their name. You can reply “prazer” and your name.
  • Women kiss and will be kissed on both cheeks.
  • Other common greetings are "e aí, como vai?" for “how’s it going? (pronounced ee aiy ee, como vaiy), or "fala!", literally "Speak!" used in place of “what’s up”. You’ll surely hear the ever-popular, all purpose "tudo bem?" and “tudo bom?”, literally "everything okay?". If you’re greeted with “tudo bem?” just respond with a cool “tudo bom” or vice versa.
  • Foreigners are known as "Gringos", not in a derogatory way, just as a form of identification.
  • The term marajá (maharaja or rich person) can apply to anyone (Brazilians included) but especially to any foreigner in Brazil. This is because, in the eyes of most poor Brazilians, you're very rich. After all, you were able to pay an unbelievable amount of money (to them) to buy a airplane ticket just to visit Brazil. That makes you veryrich in their eyes. Again, if you're called marajá, don't take it personally because it's not necessarily derogatory. 
  • Brazilians are fanatical about futebol (called soccer in the US and football elsewhere). It approaches the status of a national "religion."
  • In both social and business situations throughout the day, Brazilians will often offer um cafezinho (a little coffee). A demitasse of this highly sugared espresso will assuredly wake you up if the weather has made you a little sleepy.
  • Brazil is a predominately Catholic country and the Catholic Church is highly respected and revered by many.
  • The biggest meal of the day for most Brazilians is almoço (lunch), usually between 11:30 am and 1:30 pm. Dinner or supper in Brazil is usually (but not always) lighter and can start anywhere from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm at night. Arroz and feijão (rice and beans) are basic in Brazil and likely to be found as part of almost any lunch or dinner.
  • In most of the larger cities, you'll find at least one McDonald's but, with the array of Brazilian food available, why would you want to unless you're American and want to experience the novelty of ordering a McBurger.
  • People who are not from Brazil are told not to drink the local water, and to get all your water bottled. 
  • A dazzling variety of fresh tropical fruit is available throughout Brazil—from mangoes, papayas, pineapples, passion fruit, and numerous others you've probably never heard of or seen, to numerous varieties of bananas not available anywhere in North America or Europe. Unfortunately, you can't bring back any fresh fruit with you so get your fill while you're there. 
  • Brazil's currency unit is the real (plural = reais) and is made up of 100 centavos.
  • Because it lies in the Southern Hemisphereseasons in Brazil are exactly the opposite of those in the Northern Hemisphere:
    winter—
    June 22 to September 21 
    spring—
    September 22 to December 21 
    summer—
    December 22 to March 21 
    autumn—
    March 22 to June 21

Saturday, May 28, 2011

Link to Brazil video

Here is a link to a video showing some of the past trips to Brazil with ParkwayHills Baptist.  Pray for Luke and Brad and the whole team as they continue raising funds and preparing for what God has planned.

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

sWords

Daily words to prepare Luke for Brazil:

Jeremiah 1:7-9
Joshua 1:9
Ephesians 6:10-18
Matthew 10:19-20
Acts 4:20
2 Timothy 1:8-12
1 Corinthians 15:3-8
Matthew 20:26-28
Matthew 28
2 Timothy 3:14-17, 4:17-18
1 Timothy 4:12
Psalm 119:9-11

More to come...

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Luke's sWord for the Day

But the LORD said to me: 
“ Do not say, ‘I am a youth,’ 
      For you shall go to all to whom I send you, 
      And whatever I command you, you shall speak. 
      Do not be afraid of their faces, 
      For I am with you to deliver you,” says the LORD. 

Then the LORD put forth His hand and touched my mouth, and the LORD said to me:  “ Behold, I have put My words in your mouth." 
Jeremiah 1:7-9


Though Luke is young, this sWord tells him the Lord is with him and he doesn't have to be afraid or worry about what he will say.  The Lord will put His words in Luke's mouth.  Praise God for this promise!


Praying that God would use Luke, though he is young, to show God's love and that He'd put His words in Luke's mouth to speak life and truth into those who don't know Him.  

Monday, May 23, 2011

Brazil Trip Update

FORGOT THIS IMPORTANT INFO:  If you'd like a tax write-off, please make check out to ParkwayHills Baptist Church, and in the memo write "p70 mission trip".  You can still mail to us and we will pass it on.  Let me know if you need our address.

We are waiting for passports, so please pray that they come quickly so they can get their VISAs asap.  Your prayers mean more than anything!


Luke is out of school for the summer, so if you have a job for him to do, he is ready!
THANK YOU!!!

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Luke's First Mission Trip


When Luke turned 13 I (his Mom) felt like God was asking me to pray one specific prayer for him daily.  I very simply pray that Luke would draw closer to God.  I believe God has answered and will continue to answer that prayer in many wonderful ways.  One day last month, we received a phone call from our former pastor and friend, Pastor Sam Dennis.  Brad has been invited to come preach with Pastor Sam on a mission trip to Brazil, and Luke has been given the opportunity to go along with his dad. This fourteen day mission trip in July is being organized by our former church, ParkwayHills Baptist in Plano.  We know it will cost financially, but we believe in faith that this is just another prayer God will answer.
We are writing to ask you to partner with Luke & Brad on this trip in a variety of ways.  First and foremost we ask for prayers.  Please pray that our team travels will be safe and we’ll remain healthy. Pray also that God will teach Luke more about Himself and especially pray that they’ll be able to communicate God’s love to the people they meet.  We ask for peace of mind as the Martin boys leave the Martin girls for this long trip.
The cost for the trip is $2000. This includes all of Luke's travel, lodging, meals and needs for the trip.  We humbly ask that you would consider investing in this mission through a financial donation.  We ask that you pray and ask God if this is something you feel called to do, and if so that in faith He will bless whatever you decide to give and multiply it, like the loaves and fishes.  This money is due by July 7th.  Whatever amount that is on your heart is greatly appreciated!
Luke will be looking for fundraising ideas and ways to earn his way, so please be on the lookout for chores or lawn work he could do this summer!  He is getting great at mowing the lawn and is even good with kids, if you need a few hours to work at home while he entertains!  School is out Thursday, May 19, so please let us know when you're ready to hire him! 
 While on this trip, Luke will be journaling about all of his adventures and we will add daily prayer requests to this blog: http://martin5missions.blogspot.com/ 
Thank you for your consideration in being a part of our Martin support team.   If you have questions, please send an email to smartinhome @ gmail dot com.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. Matt.28:19-20