I have just returned from extended travels through the interior of São Paulo state. It is a region in which almost 50% of the 1.5 million Nikkei population of Brazil are living. Other Nikkei populations can be found in Parana state, south of São Paulo and Mato Grosso do Sul state, west of São Paulo. The remaining population is scattered in various cities and states in this sprawling nation. Thus São Paulo state is a strategic location for ministry and outreach for JEMS.
My first stop was a visit to the city of Bastos, the egg capital of Brazil. Bastos has a population of only 21,000, but is 11% Nikkei. It was a bit strange to walk downtown and have every third or fourth face being Japanese. I don't think even Torrance is like that! ha ha!
Through the arrangement of the Bastos Holiness pastor, I met the local judo instructor, Umakakeba sensei, 8th Dan. His former students have gone on to represent Brazil in the Olympics. He invited me to share an evangelistic lesson with his judo class. It was a blessing to share my testimony with these young men and women.
Later that evening, Pastor Joel of the Bastos Holiness Church, invited me to give a message to the Wednesday night prayer group. It was a blessing to see so many come out for worship, the Word and prayer.
The next city I was able to visit was the city of Adamantina. JEMS has sent workers here previously in the 1990's. Adamantina reflects a change in demography that is being seen in other Nikkei churches here in Brazil.
Adamantina is also the mother church of a congregation over an hour away in the town of Dracena. In Dracena, I was able to meet the small group that meets faithfully week after week. They were very receptive to the message and were eager to learn more.
A big part of ministry in the interior is home visitation. Like physician's house calls, home visitation is almost a thing of the past in the US. Not so in Brazil's interior. One day with Pastor Castilho in Adamantina had me in several homes, including one in the neighboring town of Osvaldo Cruz.
The third city in the São Paulo state mission visit was the city of Tupã. This was my second visit in about fifteen years. The church continues to serve the Nikkei community in a town that was the zero point for hostilities within the community after the second World War. The unfortunate and divisive role of the Shindo Renmei (still hush-hush after all these years) was featured in an historical book and a recent Brazilian film by the same name, called "Coraçoes Sujos."
As my schedule had me in Tupã on a Sunday, I was able to speak in both the morning and evening services. The morning service, more traditional, had a mostly Japanese language group, while the larger evening service was a bit more contemporary. The group was very welcoming!
My final city visit was in Pompéia, city that has received a number of JEMS teams over the past several years. It was an opportunity for me to meet with Pastor Guto, who serves as the coordinator for the Missions Commission of the Holiness Church of Brazil.
As JEMS considers the next step in our ministry, we understand the importance of keeping our partners and stakeholders involved in the conversation. Pastor Guto has been a friend of mine since 1990! We have been blessed to be able to serve together over the years. We are praying that JEMS' dreams in South America can soon become a reality.
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| Pr Guto pictured with Pr Marcos (tall guy) of Esquadrão da Vida, a drug rehabilitation center in Pompéia. |
Some special friends in Pompéia are pictured:
As you read this update and think about the ministry here, won't you also take a moment to prayerfully consider supporting my ministry. It only takes a few moments to write a check and send it in to JEMS. Even less time to go online to donate via credit card HERE. Your support is not only appreciated, it is especially needed as the new year begins. Please pray and give! Thank you!
Posts you may have missed:
- In Country - End of January 2013 Prayer Update Link
- Pastor John´s January and February ministry schedule. Please pray!! Link
- Happy New Year photo from Pastor John and his kids!! Link
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