Visit of Tom Quenet and Susan Johnson to Brazil, Panama and Costa Rica March 2005 Brazil Sao Paulo We were warmly welcomed by the staff of the Conference office, who had prepared well for our visit under the guidance of Bishop Adriel de Souza Maia. Revd Oséias Barbosa da Silva, Education Secretary was our guide, and Susan s translator, during our time in Brazil and we were joined by Bishop Adolfo Evaristo de Souza for our travels in the Amazonia missionary region. During our visit we discovered that we have much in common as partner churches and have much to learn from the engagement in this partnership, which is seen as a serious commitment by the Brazilian Church. The exchange of ministry is seen to be very important and it is hoped that Revd Oséias will be a Mission Live visitor in the autumn, hopefully leading to a World Church in Britain opportunity in September 06. The Methodist Church Brazil would also like to see exchanges being developed, particularly with young people but concern was expressed by the school of theology in Sao Paulo as to what had been achieved from exchanges thus far. The Methodist Church Brazil has a clear focus on holistic mission, including evangelism and social action. (The Churches in Brazil are collaborating with the government in the dis-arming of society. Churches are being used as places where arms can be handed in for a cash reward no questions asked) They have a strategic programme of Christian Education, with the production of Biblically based resources used throughout the church. There is a learning culture within the church with over 110,000 meeting on a Sunday morning for study. The Brazilian Church has over 1,700 places where congregational activity takes place and a similar number of less established evangelism and mission places that have produced between 5% - 15% annual growth, over the last five years. There are also 53 Methodist schools colleges and institutions and 2 Methodist Universities. The Methodist Church Brazil is of a similar size to the British Methodist Church. They have a coordinated response to the needs of the Church in their advocacy and fundraising. This is highlighted with a concentrated focus on discipleship and evangelism for a period each year that works well and merits serious consideration by the Methodist Church in Britain. Churches open their doors to the community for special events and celebrations around a time of fundraising for specific projects in the regions. Fund raising is specific and mostly associated with a specific church and or a community project. Publications provide information on the new projects and the outcomes of the previous year s efforts. If more money is raised that is needed by the particular project it will be spent on other missionary activities within that particular region. 1
Bridge Street Community During the visit to Sao Paulo we were taken to this project that the Methodist Church Brazil had developed with international partners in recent years. The Nationals in Mission Appointment represented by Jose Carlos do Prado Ramos coordinates the work. The project is also supported by the Methodist Church in Germany. The community, built under a bridge, houses men, women and children for up to six months. It provides beds, food, washing and cleaning facilities, social skill development, help in finding jobs, and skills training, Vila Conde Church The building project that began two years ago is now nearly finished. There is a link with the Plymouth and Exeter District through a connection that began with the Formation in World Mission visit by Keith Eliott, TDO. The link is important and appreciated at local and national level, yet, as we learnt later, has its own problems that need addressing. The church, situated just outside a favella, had dreamed dreams about a development programme for the community helping with skills training and support. This was now a reality. FATEO (Theology School), Methodist University, Sao Paulo The challenge facing the faculty of theology centers on the situation where the Methodist University, whose priority is not with theology, but with a high standard of tertiary education, meets a significant proportion of the budget. The University is not there to fund the training of ministers, yet 4% of the University s budget is available for the theology faculty. The University takes 50% of students from Methodist churches 50% from other denominations and 40 Methodist students graduating this year as presbyters. As well as the residential theology, courses mostly for (presbyters) extension programs for ministry, pastoral care, and education are held for over 100 lay students. They also are working with Angola and Mozambique to set up a school of theology. The faculty of theology had a high profile in the Formation in World Mission visit to Brazil and has serious concerns about how contacts following the initial visit have developed. In the future, the School of Theology insisted that they would not be able to participate without a covenant that would include learning outcomes and future developments being entered into with the Methodist Church Britain. Contact has been made with the Formation in World Mission (FiWM) office and the Plymouth and Exeter District to address this concern by the School of Theology. There was concern that stories from the favellas told on return to this country should not show a poverty that needs funding from outside the country but that the focus should be on the Brazilian spirit that is strong in the face of injustice and is creative in how to live in difficult situations. A specific reference was made for the need not to exploit the situation in the favellas so that they became an object of religious tourism. The school of theology has strong links with the Methodist Church in Brazil, through the Council of Bishops. 2
Porto Vehlo ( Amazonia Missionary Region) Bishop Adolfo Evaristo de Souza met us at the airport and was our gracious and informative guide as we visited some of the missionary places in Porto Vehlo and Manaus. 1. A church and school that had received funding and support from the MMS Ireland who had sent work teams to build the extra rooms needed for the children to meet together, either in the morning or afternoon when they are not attending the government school. Pastor and wife plus staff of volunteers provide a space for more than 80 children to receive love and to learn how to serve others. The extra buildings are not yet complete. 2. Another church has seen growth from its building to 100 members in 7 years. 50% are children. They are following the national evangelism strategy, Jesus is my security. Every member sees themselves as a disciple and evangelist. The film Jesus was being shown on a big screen in the street that night. The man who was setting this up had been helped by the church who had enabled him to drop his drug abuse and to find a job. 3. Another church had extra rooms built with support from work teams from MMS Ireland. However, the preschool that had been running had to be closed as it had not followed all the government guidelines. We met with an evangelist, Ulisses E Paula, his wife and their two children who have been working with the Pirahã people for several years. This semi nomadic tribe of 350 has had the spotlight on them in recent years for their language/ perceptions skills as they have no understanding of numbers. The project aims to introduce the Pirahã people to Jesus, to help improve diet and learn new ways of building canoes, as there is a shortage of bark. The Theological Seminary (Methodist Institute, Amazonia IMA) is an extension of the Sao Paulo University. It was founded 10 years ago to train workers for the Methodist Church. In 2004 it was recognised by the government and its courses were approved and authorised. It is the only recognised institution in the area and is held up as a model of good practice, a centre of excellence. It has a group of students from all ecumenical and ethnic groups studying together. Catholics, Methodists, Mormons, Seventh Day Adventists, Pentecostals and Baptists. They live amongst the diverse spiritual universe that exists in the region where Spiritism is very strong particularly among intellectuals. Masonry also involves many people 3
Indigenous spirituality uses Chaai tea as a hallucinogenic. The headquarters is here. This could be linked to Shamanism and research is currently being done. Catholicism and Pentecostalism At the present time there are 12 Professors and 36 students all from different denominations. The local church pays the 95% of the monthly fees of the students. They have a capacity for 150 students. As well as academic courses they study vocational ministries, experience and praxis and have placements with groups in the community who are dealing with violence, drug abuse, orphans etc. The cultures of the Amazon region reflects a need for people to organise themselves into social community groups. In all studies there is an awareness of the huge ecological issues that surround people who are living in a vastly important ecological area of the world. The Amazon is perceived as the lungs of the world. The small river communities are encouraged to think about how they live in this environment. However, tensions exist in trying to live and work and the rather prescriptive approach that is perceived as coming from the rest of the world. Manaus. A city of 17 million in the heart of the Amazon. We were in Manaus during holy week, and while being aware that Brazil is largely a Catholic country there was very little evidence of this. There was no sense also from within the Methodist Church that this was a liturgically special week. When asked about this one of the Pastor s replies gives food for thought, We live constantly with the presence of the risen Jesus in our hearts every day of our lives, so this time is no different. Bishop Adolfo knew this area well and was warmly greeted as we visited the missionary places the church was involved with. Often they were one room in someone s house that served as a meeting place for children and women who came together to learn & pray. Often perched on the edge of the Amazon people build houses on sticks, pallafitas, due to the rise and fall of the river. The Methodist Church, with World Vision, provides a centre for 20 adults and 50 children who meet, some to learn computer skills, some to be involved in income generating schemes and all to learn about faith and love in action. AMAS (Voluntary Service Organisation) and World Vision organise child links for 500 children living in the pallafitas and also has other linking projects for support. World Vision and the Methodist Church support a hospital boat that travels the Amazon providing health care treatment, including small operations to small isolated villages. The Methodist Church funds the monthly 4
salaries. (Approx 300.) This is a major project for the area and some interest was shown in the possibility of a National in Mission Appointment or someone volunteering through the Experience Exchange programme. We attended a Leadership training meeting where 60 people met for 48 hours to follow the national strategic programme on discipleship, prayer, Bible study and working in small groups. New disciples are grown through small groups. Many of the people, who included women and young people aged 15-25, who were attending were lay members of the church. There was a real spirit of praise and expectancy as the evidence is that within the society people come to church to get help and support. There is a passionate commitment to Jesus and to evangelism and a huge knowledge of the Bible in all ages. However, there is an understanding that other types of ministry need to be developed. Currently the Council of Bishops is discussing the diaconal order. Easter: Good Friday and Easter Sunday. Good Friday was spent as tourists cruising down the Amazon. It was good to have the space to reflect on all we had seen and heard and give thanks. The town was quiet at night as many places closed early. We were able to visit three missionary places on Sunday morning where we saw people of all ages engaged in Bible study and worship and we took turns to give a short message from scripture. The missionary places were all basic buildings but had several rooms for different ages. The enthusiasm for Jesus and the warmth of the welcome was inspirational. We shared in communion in the Korean Methodist Church and were invited to stay for lunch. Coming from so far away, it was hard to believe that we were in the Amazon, sharing communion with Koreans on an Easter Sunday! In the evening we went to Central Church for part of the service. Then we moved to one of their missionary places. The average age of the 60 80 people present was 15. They led a powerful drama from Revelation of the coming of the bride and treated us to a display of break dancing. The young people were attracted to the church through break dancing and music. There they discovered for themselves the love of Jesus. This led them away from drugs, prostitution (and teenage pregnancy) and the gang warfare that is rife in the area. Love was the key here and the experience of the love of God in Jesus in their own lives and of receiving blessings. There is the possibility of creating church to church links with some of these churches in the Manaus region and churches in Britain. We then returned to Sao Paulo where we were graciously received by the Council of Bishops. They stressed how important and valuable they regarded the partnership with the Methodist Church in Britain. The Bishops promised to discuss the possibility of Twinning links in more detail later, as time was short. During our time in Brazil, we were welcomed and supported, provided with excellent translators, companions and guides. We made new friends and saw 5
at first hand the love of God at work in the world. We were grateful for the time to enjoy the spectacular world heritage site of the Amazon. Panama. We were able to bring the Methodist Church up to date with the situation in the British Methodist Church and to successfully clarify with the District President and local leaders about the use of resources that had been sent for flood relief in January 05. The Methodist Church in Panama remains heavily dependant on the MCCA and external funding and continues to adapt slowly to changes in Panamanian society. Costa Rica. After a lengthy journey by bus to Limon, through the rain forest we were able to visit a project that forms a part of the District strategy and is a priority that is supported by the MCCA. Don Joaquim, a farmer sold his land to the Methodist Church with ideas of developing tourism, building a school, a social centre, training skills centre and a retreat centre on the land. We were able to contribute to the development of these ideas and stressed that the project needs a more thorough feasibility study and business plan before it can ask for external funding. UBL, San Jose. We were able to briefly explore with the Principal, the Dean, and the Administrator possible changes in grant making and partnership arrangements. There were encouraging signs towards working with the Formation in World Mission Teams and for working with Mission Partners. Also suggested was the possibility of working with groups coming to see projects. Small groups could visit Costa Rica, to work on or with local projects. UBL could assist in the learning outcomes, and cross-cultural understandings. This programme currently runs with visitors from USA churches. Ecumenical Service. Saturday morning,2 April, saw us at an ecumenical service of thanksgiving and remembrance for those who were working with those suffering from terminal illness. The 400 people who attended were enabled by the powerful liturgy to express their emotions about the death of loved ones, to give thanks and to say goodbye. This was an inspirational visit that we will both hold in our hearts for a long time. Tom Quenet and Susan Johnson April 2005 6