Brazilian Fundamentalist Baptist Mission
Third Report of Trip to India
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4. NAGALAND This is probably the land of the ancestors of our Indians. For this reason, Christopher Columbus, when he arrived for the first time in Latin America, thought he had come to India and so he called our people Indians. In Nagaland, Assam, Manipur and Sikkim most Indians were animists. This may have contributed to the fact that the Gospel has been accepted more easily than it has been among Hindus and Muslims. We saw Baptist churches everywhere. Their buildings were much larger and had more people than our Regular Baptist churches of Brazil. Some 7 billion people! The pictures on the right show the place where a camp is being planned for 3,000 people for 2010. They are indepent Baptist churches but some, unfortunately, are very committed to modernism. Many church members here may not be saved. Just because they were born and raised in the church, many consider themselves saved. On the other hand, the challenge is to teach these churches to support and sustain young people who want to be pastors and missionaries. We believe that God has preserved this people for a great work in unreached India. Almost 70% of all young people who are in Baptist seminaries in southern India are here in the northeast.
1. ORPHANAGE IN DIMAPUR - NAGALAND If there are many young people thirsty of the Word of God in India, what shall we say of the thousands and thousands of children? Many of them are orphaned and then the mother or the father asks for a missionary to take care of them because they have no way to support them. For this reason we find many local churches beginning with the ministry of schools and orphanages at the same time. It is a necessity and a means to try to rescue these children from a future of spiritual darkness. Praise God for the courage and love of these missionaries who, even without financial conditions, have embraced this work.
3. We travelled across 5 states in northeastern India and, in many cities and villages, we have seen the contrast between the most affluent and the poor, just as in Brazil. But in this region of India, poverty is most prevalent. But thank God we have seen vast fields of rice which is a staple of the Indian diet.
5. Guwati - Capital of Assam Here is another school, again with an orphanage and church, with a straw and dirt floor. It is in a region with many Hindus and Muslims. We had a conference for pastors who came a long way, some travelled for 5 hours. The food, which was prepared with great care by the cooks, was served on banana peel - paper plates that do not pollute the environment! It was a time of intensive preaching and teaching the Word. Pentecostalism has arrived with full force to deceive people, especially in order to take money from people and lead them to seek experience and emotion rather than faith in the Word of God for salvation. With so many children and teenagers, we took the opportunity to play a little in between the messages and it was very nice to see how fast they learn the games and how they are enthusiastic!
6. In all the places we visited so far whether they are churches, seminaries, schools or orphanages, they welcomed us with honor, kindness and great hospitality. For all that we have experienced here in India we want to thank the brothers who have sent offerings and given us this trip. We also thank the churches and brothers who are still supporting us through prayer and offerings, and our church in Curitiba that besides prayer and financial contributions is always taking care of our children and strengthening us with their love. A big hug to everyone. We miss you. Pastor Jefferson and Epi.
2. A Baptist Seminary chapel and dining room with straw and dirt floor, but in its second year of existence already has 40 happy and dedicated students! The dangerous life of many seminarians and missionaries has not been a major barrier for them. In fact, many times, this has been one of the factors that contributes to many young people being able to study and many local churches being started. They have learned to live happily in any situation.
A Brazilian Mission With a Worldwide Vision...
(This translation received help from Andrew S Arthur )
BRAZILIAN FUNDAMENTALIST BAPTIST MISSION Rua Aluísio de Azevedo, 604 - Pinhais - PR - 83321.270 - BRAZIL (South America) mbbf@mbbf.org.br
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