"You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Matt 5:14

Vila Cefer is a church set among the desperately poor and a moderate working class people. Today our task was simple connect with people. Go to where they call home and talk with them strategically but certainly turning the conversation to spiritual things. There are two things worthy of note concerning that activity we all can identify with. First, we all have a place we call home so we understand in some small way what this place means to them no matter the condition we find it in. Secondly, when we begin to analyze our own lives we see that God's Word speaks loud and clear to us as well.

So equipped with that knowledge we go.... Remember the Great Commission tells us to go and that "GO" means while you are going do this... Well today while we were going we asked God to use us as broken wasted vessels. We wanted to act as an ambassador caring the message of the gospel. Well our walk took us through the narrow streets of Vila Cefer, up and down the city streets, past kids playing futbal (soccer) and dogs barking at every gated home. It took us specifically to three homes... 3 seekers of truth. The first was ready but not willing... full of excuses. The second was the most amazing person I have met during my time in Brazil! An older lady on her third husband (admittedly a live in boyfriend of 20 years...she admitted this!). Living in such a way that she knows is wrong. She had just come through surgery but had a fire that was both inspiring and hilarious. I could have stayed there all night talking with her. She was loud, demonstrative, full of questions, convicted and at the same time searching. Well I told her that I would preform the marriage ceremony Sunday Night before I preached if she was willing... we'll see! That would be awesome! Then we finally made our way up a long winding street into the favela (slums)... with each step and turn you could sense the location being more dangerous. It was rather cold and the wind was pumping between the homes very strong. The road was very uneven and the day was coming to a close so even walking was becoming a difficult task. To say the thought of the next event didn't go through my mind would be lying... visiting was nice and the last lady was my highlight so my mind screamed NEXT! I am a task oriented, high strung American man... the next thing is always on my mind. Well we initially went to a church members home but she wanted us to see a 87 year old widower, who could barely hear, with osteoporosis. He was very nice and welcoming of the 5 group members and Pastor Claudio as we sat down to talk. Pastor Claudio asked me to talk with him about life and the gospel. I was not ready for what I experienced... this man had become increasingly confused about who Christ was, what he did and who in the world would go to heaven. We talked and talked and talked but each question was answered with a very odd & theologically misguided answer. I thought our task was done and he had planted or watered and we were going to leave being obedient but seeing no immediate results of our efforts. Just as we were to leave the question was asked that broke through a hard heart after 87 years of resisting. Celestino realizing his need of Christ... began to understand the gospel. Celestino became a brother in Christ in the next few minutes! Gloriously saved by the power of the gospel... the effectual calling of the Holy Spirit was answered and a soul was redeemed!

I walked away reflecting...through the winding dark streets of Villa Cefer I understood that a city on a hill cannot be hidden! Praise be to the LORD.