Construction is underway in several cities of Brazil to prepare for the upcoming World Cup (2014) and Olympics (2016). Recife is gaining a new suburb which being built around the 44,000 seat sports arena also under construction. These two events, along with related activities, are expected to draw millions of people from all over the world. Now more than ever Brazilians are seeking to learn the universal language of our world – English.

In response to this growing desire the School of the Bible has begun to offer more Bible classes in English. Four of the ten courses offered this period are in English. About seventy people (ranging in age from ten to seventy) are studying in one of these four courses.

On a related note, last week Regis and I were invited to speak to a group of students at a nationwide government trade school (called SENAC) about the School of the Bible. Our invitation came from a coordinator who received one of the handouts promoting the English Bible classes. SENAC was having a special event for their English students and I was invited to speak (in English) on growing up in the U.S. When I finished Regis got up and gave a talk about the School of the Bible and invited them to come and study with us. We handed out flyers to everyone present. I didn’t count but think there were over 200 present.

Please pray with us that God grant us wisdom to make the most of the opportunities He gives.
Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving; praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned; that I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak. Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.

─ Colossians 4:2-6