April 2004

Brazil Mission Report Greg and Karin Davidson Laszakovits National Representatives Campinas-Sao Paulo, Brazil

Dear Mission Partners:

...be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern the will of God-what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2

The Brazil team: Greg and Karin Davidson Laszakovits (with baby Ellen), National Representatives, and Marcos and Suely Inhauser, National Directors.

Thanks be to God! March 9 we were received warmly in Brazil by Igreja da Irmandade (Church of the Brethren). In our first weeks we were deeply moved as we participated in our first Lovefeasts here. Though the language was different the rich meaning shone through.

Upon our arrival we found several congregations thriving, sinking roots into their communities, extending needed ministries, and increasing in number. Denominationally, Igreja da Irmandade has initiated a seminario-an intensive theological training for lay people to provide leadership within their congregations and perhaps inspire pursuit of a full degree in ministry. The current semester’s class is Hermeneutics/biblical interpretation and has over 20 students. The classes are taught by the pastors of the church and National Director Marcos Inhauser. We are deeply impressed and inspired by the enthusiasm and financial and time commitments the students are making to learn more about their faith.

Our family is fortunate to have a living situation that we were able to move into quickly. We are renting a parsonage from a local Mennonite congregation in the neighborhood of Jardim Nova Europa in the city of Campinas (approx. one million people). And, thanks to generosity of many church members here who donated household items, our house is quickly up and running with things that it needs to operate.vMany people have asked about the health and well-being of the youngest member (four months) of our family. Ellen is happy and healthy, and as babies so often can do so easily, she is helping us begin to build relationships.

Besides getting to know congregations and setting up house, one of our first major challenges will be learning Portuguese. We have begun formal lessons in a local language school. While language school is a challenge, it will be both relief and reward to communicate more fully. At this point our communication with most has been limited to smatterings of English and Portuguese and hand motions. We are looking forward to language school opening new doors of communication for day-to-day living as well as ministry opportunities.

In the life of the Brazilian people and church-goers, the economy remains a major concern. Due to a sagging world economy and the drop in the worth of Brazilian currency (Real), many people, including church members and congregants, continue to struggle. Unemployment of educated, skilled and unskilled individuals alike is a problem, and finding worthwhile employment is cause for celebration.

For us, the words in the scripture from Romans 12 (see above) capture well what is happening in our lives and the life of the church. As the church here makes the significant decisions that new churches make, and as we learn Portuguese and become part of a new culture, we are buoyed by the hope that our minds will be renewed in discerning God’s will in these things and many others.

Part of this discernment process is prayer. The church in Brazil is rooted in strong communal prayer and mutual support. In similar spirit, we are thankful for the prayer support we know we have received in Brazil and the United States, and we are grateful for further prayer support. If you are so inclined please uphold these items in your prayer life:

• Give thanks for the enthusiasm we have seen for learning more about Christianity, Anabaptism, and what it means to be Brethren.
  
  
• Be in prayer for the leadership of the Igreja da Irmandade. The church is still in early stages of life and formation and important decisions are continually weighed and made.
  
  
• Pray for patience and discipline for us (Greg and Karin) as we study Portuguese.
  
  
• Thank God for our family’s health and well-being, especially Ellen’s.

Blessings,

Greg, Karin and Ellen