The conference was terrific and we learned so much. One of the best parts about the weekend event was that it was actually organized and lead by indigenous people who were eager to share about their people's needs and hopes. Many of the indigenous people at the conference had very recently left their tribes (some this year) to either seek refuge or study at a college or seminary with the plan of returning to help their tribe. Henrique (above), from the Terena tribe, was the conference leader.
Whole indigenous families came to the event...like this adorable boy.
One of the needs the Indians mentioned was the need to for more Bible translators. There are still MANY tribes in Brazil who have never heard the good news in their language.
Above is a table of Bibles that have been translated into indigenous languages in Brazil.
Although the Indians were from many different tribes and situations, it was so neat to see how they cared for one another in a special way.
Vanessa (from Asas) with a very special mother and daughter. This young girl was born physically handicapped, and in following with the tribe's practices, she was buried alive. The young mother rescued her and has been seeking refuge in Brasilia with another indigenous family. Although it may seem like the mother and I have nothing in common, we do....we're both still learning Portuguese! It was amazing to see how she lovingly cared for her daughter. Government rules are very straight about her tribe, no one from the outside is allowed to enter the village....not even Indians from other tribes. It was amazing to learn that after she became a Christian and is now planning to return to live in her tribe so she can tell others about her new life in Christ.
One of the best parts of the weekend was really getting to know our indigenous brothers and sisters in Christ personally. In fact, 2 families stayed with us at Jeyson's parents' house for the weekend. We had a great Brazilian bbq to celebrate Jeyson's birthday together with our special guests. In the picture Eli, from the Ticuna tribe (right) appears to have a mustache, but really it is traditional paint that the Indians wore over the weekend. Each clan has a different design, this one was a jaguar. While they don't wear paint ever day, they do on special occasions, including this conference.
Jeyson showing Eli's sons how to fly a Frisbee.
Also to celebrate Jeyson's birthday, we brought ingredients to make smores. We had a great time showing them a little of our culture :)
Eli and his family left their village about 4 years ago and now live in Brasilia in order to serve in a special ministry. They help mother's of children whose life is in danger of infanticide seek refuge. They also assist young Indians temporarily live in the city to get a medical or seminary degree and then return to their tribe. Their house is always very full and they have poured their whole lives into this ministry.
Eli's beautiful wife, Anita, is on the right
The boys loved the Braun's dog, Bobby
The little girl in the picture, Hakani, has a very special story. As a young child, Hakani was buried alive by her tribe, against her parents' wishes (they actually comitted suicide as a result) Hakani's brother unburied her, rescued her, and kept her hidden in the forest and brought her food. Eventually he was able to bring her to the attention of a missionary couple and she was able to get help for her physical problems. She was later adopted by the missionary couple, Marcia and Suzuki. This couple has founded a mission, and if you're interested in seeing more details click here - http://voiceforlife.blogspot.com 
Over the weekend, several dramas were presented by the young Indians. They also dressed in traditional outfits.
Jorge left his village this year and is living and studying here in Anapolis! We drove him home after the conference and plan to get together with him soon!
One of the neatest parts of the conference was hearing about the indigenous Christians hopes and reality of being part of bringing the Gospel message to other tribes. It is becoming more and more difficult for outsiders (including Brazilians) to enter tribes, so in many tribes it is now up to the Indians to serve as missionaries. Henrique, from the Terena tribe does just that and our mission has assisted him many times with transportation to remote places. We loved getting to see the fruit of our ministry with Asas de Socorro first hand! What an encouragement!
Although there are many problems in the tribes with infanticide and alcoholism, it is exciting to see a new generation raising up who know the Truth and are desiring to bring it to others.
This little boy was also buried alive, but God brought others along to rescue him. Because of that, however, he needs to have monthly blood transfusions. Just to have a perspective on the problem, in the Yanomami tribe in the northern amazon, of all the infant deaths, 80% are infanticide. The parents are forced to kill their children for reasons such as defects and even twins!
As the conference was brought to a close in a service on Sunday, we had a very special moment together celebrating communion using the "ingredients" that are used in the tribes. Since no wheat is grown there, the Christians make a bread type of substance from manioc and cook it together. It turns out to look sort of like a big tortilla, but it is very stretchy. It was such a special moment to really see and experience how we are all one in Christ, despite many differences in our culture.
Also, since grapes do noy exist where the tribes are, they use juice from a berry, acai or from the guarana fruit...depending on the tribe. Although these are not traditional for us, these elements have the same, deep, meaningful significance to the Indians that ours had to us. In one tribe they put the large cup make from a gourd on the ground. When you come up to drink from the cup, you have to get down on the ground to reach it. They do this to symbolize that in order to be in a right relationship with God, we must humble ourselves....such a deep truth.
One of the needs the Indians mentioned was the need to for more Bible translators. There are still MANY tribes in Brazil who have never heard the good news in their language.
Above is a table of Bibles that have been translated into indigenous languages in Brazil.
Although the Indians were from many different tribes and situations, it was so neat to see how they cared for one another in a special way.
Vanessa (from Asas) with a very special mother and daughter. This young girl was born physically handicapped, and in following with the tribe's practices, she was buried alive. The young mother rescued her and has been seeking refuge in Brasilia with another indigenous family. Although it may seem like the mother and I have nothing in common, we do....we're both still learning Portuguese! It was amazing to see how she lovingly cared for her daughter. Government rules are very straight about her tribe, no one from the outside is allowed to enter the village....not even Indians from other tribes. It was amazing to learn that after she became a Christian and is now planning to return to live in her tribe so she can tell others about her new life in Christ.
One of the best parts of the weekend was really getting to know our indigenous brothers and sisters in Christ personally. In fact, 2 families stayed with us at Jeyson's parents' house for the weekend. We had a great Brazilian bbq to celebrate Jeyson's birthday together with our special guests. In the picture Eli, from the Ticuna tribe (right) appears to have a mustache, but really it is traditional paint that the Indians wore over the weekend. Each clan has a different design, this one was a jaguar. While they don't wear paint ever day, they do on special occasions, including this conference.
Jeyson showing Eli's sons how to fly a Frisbee.
Also to celebrate Jeyson's birthday, we brought ingredients to make smores. We had a great time showing them a little of our culture :)
Eli and his family left their village about 4 years ago and now live in Brasilia in order to serve in a special ministry. They help mother's of children whose life is in danger of infanticide seek refuge. They also assist young Indians temporarily live in the city to get a medical or seminary degree and then return to their tribe. Their house is always very full and they have poured their whole lives into this ministry.
Eli's beautiful wife, Anita, is on the right
The boys loved the Braun's dog, Bobby
The little girl in the picture, Hakani, has a very special story. As a young child, Hakani was buried alive by her tribe, against her parents' wishes (they actually comitted suicide as a result) Hakani's brother unburied her, rescued her, and kept her hidden in the forest and brought her food. Eventually he was able to bring her to the attention of a missionary couple and she was able to get help for her physical problems. She was later adopted by the missionary couple, Marcia and Suzuki. This couple has founded a mission, and if you're interested in seeing more details click here - http://voiceforlife.blogspot.com 
Over the weekend, several dramas were presented by the young Indians. They also dressed in traditional outfits.
Jorge left his village this year and is living and studying here in Anapolis! We drove him home after the conference and plan to get together with him soon!
One of the neatest parts of the conference was hearing about the indigenous Christians hopes and reality of being part of bringing the Gospel message to other tribes. It is becoming more and more difficult for outsiders (including Brazilians) to enter tribes, so in many tribes it is now up to the Indians to serve as missionaries. Henrique, from the Terena tribe does just that and our mission has assisted him many times with transportation to remote places. We loved getting to see the fruit of our ministry with Asas de Socorro first hand! What an encouragement!
Although there are many problems in the tribes with infanticide and alcoholism, it is exciting to see a new generation raising up who know the Truth and are desiring to bring it to others.
This little boy was also buried alive, but God brought others along to rescue him. Because of that, however, he needs to have monthly blood transfusions. Just to have a perspective on the problem, in the Yanomami tribe in the northern amazon, of all the infant deaths, 80% are infanticide. The parents are forced to kill their children for reasons such as defects and even twins!
As the conference was brought to a close in a service on Sunday, we had a very special moment together celebrating communion using the "ingredients" that are used in the tribes. Since no wheat is grown there, the Christians make a bread type of substance from manioc and cook it together. It turns out to look sort of like a big tortilla, but it is very stretchy. It was such a special moment to really see and experience how we are all one in Christ, despite many differences in our culture.
Also, since grapes do noy exist where the tribes are, they use juice from a berry, acai or from the guarana fruit...depending on the tribe. Although these are not traditional for us, these elements have the same, deep, meaningful significance to the Indians that ours had to us. In one tribe they put the large cup make from a gourd on the ground. When you come up to drink from the cup, you have to get down on the ground to reach it. They do this to symbolize that in order to be in a right relationship with God, we must humble ourselves....such a deep truth. Wow this post wound up being quite long...so much to say, and there is still so much I wish I could add. We walked away from the conference SO encouraged to be a small part of this great work of bringing the Gospel message to these precious indigenous people.
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