World Renewal International
Friday, July 18, 2008
Helping A Dad Keep His Promise
World Renewal-Brazil President, Tele Moraes, leaned over and whispered in my ear as we sat in the newly constructed Amexias Community Church. He knew I was excited about the worship team made up of new Christians plus the the young pastor's son. "Pastor Assuerio always promised his daughter Lorena that he would buy her a piano if she ever learned to play. She started taking lessons without him knowing about it at our International School and surprised her dad during the dedication of the new church in January by getting up and playing for the service." I knew why Tele was relating this story. Here was a dad who would need some help keeping his promise to his daughter. The piano and case would cost his entire month salary. I whispered a prayer to the Lord before I preached that night about helping this dad keep his promise.
[Edna surprises the whole family who were not aware of the gift and presented it in a worship service.]
Back home, Edna Chestnut, our payroll accountant was preparing for her June trip to Brazil on our Medical Team. She said to me one day, "I have been given more funds for my trip than I need, do you know any special project?" I immediately thought of the dad's promise. I knew Edna would be visiting Pastor Assuerio's Church. I explained the situation to Edna's delight. She had enough to purchase the piano, case and the case for the guitar that Don Curts had given to Frank Penna to take to the mission field. Assuerio's son, Tiago [James] plays the guitar in the worship team. He needs his own guitar if his sister is going to have a piano, at least that is the way I see it.
Thanks to all who prayed and supported Edna and the medical team.
[Edna sneaks a peek at Lorena as the dad opens the piano case.]
The medical team lead by Brookville Rd. Community Church's Dr. Charles Taylor saw almost 1000 people in four days. It was terrific. Thanks to all.
[Edna gets a hug from Lorena]
[Those of us who really know Edna already knew Edna thinks it is better to give than receive.]
Thanks for stopping by.
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Brazil Medical Team
Our medical team is in Brazil. They left Thursday morning and arrived Friday. Dr. Charles Taylor is the lead physician from our country and Dr. Santos is the lead physician from Brazil. Both are brilliant doctors in their fields. [Steve Turner is our director for Brazil from the USA side. He and Carol have worked hard since January to prepare the way for the teams in Brazil. Carol Wright does the logistical planning and scheduling of the teams.]
The team is made up of folks from Brookville Rd. and Brandywine Community Churches. One does not need to be of medical background to be extremely useful on the team. An example is Edna Chestnut, our payroll accountant here at WRI and my niece, Karman Wright. Karman is the daughter of my brother Pastor Mark and Kathy Wright. Karman is a senior at Eastern Hancock High School and 
has been on several trips to Mexico City but this is her first to Brazil.
has been on several trips to Mexico City but this is her first to Brazil. [Dr. Taylor with some of our Brazilian staff and those seeking medical treatment]
Our Brazilian staff do a great job of ministering to folks even as they wait in the long lines to see our doctors and nurses. They also follow-up a few weeks afterwards and that gives them a great opportunity to m
minister on the spiritual side.
minister on the spiritual side.[Dr. Santos, known throughout the medical world for his work and writing as an internist, is in the orange shirt. He brings his interns to be a part of this experience. He is a wonderful man of God. We are blessed to have him. ]
[Most major cities of the world have whole communities of people who live and survive by living in the dump as this community visited by the medical team.
[Long lines of people wait to be treated in the dump]Pray for them and keep up with them on the Brazil blog. That link is to your left. Follow them each day and pray for them.
[The mayor of Carpina, population 100,000, makes arrangements for our team to use a mobile unit for the clinics at the dump. The flies are so thick it is hard to take a pulse unless the inside the unit. The smell and the flies make it tough on the team, but this home to so many who need treatment.]
[Edna Chestnut, WRI-USA staff two years ago on the medical team in Brazil
with one of the children.]
Thanks for stopping by.
