August 17,2006
Greetings to all in the name of our Lord!
 Irene Sivalee and Adriana de Souza at the meeting of Presbyterian Women in the Synod of the Pacific, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
The excitement of World Cup Soccer Matches had come and gone. Brazil did not make it to the finals and the country was moaning and groaning for a few days. Now that the old coach had been dismissed, Brazil started another soccer campaign internationally, under a new coach, against Norway on August 16, 2006. It was a draw 1-1 but with more intensity in their playing techniques, the new players are playing hard to lead Brazil back to be a world champion again. Therefore, fans are looking forward to another World Cup appearance in 2010 with more hope and optimism!
On the political front, Brazil is trying to solve many domestic problems. Corruption of many politicians has ruined the country. Several deputies and senators have been under investigation but they always sing this tune “I get by, with the little help from my friends,” therefore Brazilians usually say, “In Brazil, no one is punished.” On October 1, 2006, a presidential election will take place. Irene, like all Brazilians, from age 16 on up, must vote or justify in an official paper explaining why they are not able to vote. Usually, people can’t vote if they are traveling or sick, etc. However, they must go to the post and get this official document to justify their absence. It is a law in Brazil that all citizens from 16 years of age must go to vote or they will have to pay a fine.
The actual President, Mr. Luis Inacio da Silva or “LuLa,” is ahead in the research poll. He can win the majority votes during the first election if his opponent, Mr. Alckmin, the actual governor of the State of Sao Paulo, doesn’t have enough votes to push the election into a run off in November. I shook hands with Mr. Alckmin at the Centennial Celebration of the Independent Presbyterian Church of Brazil (IPIB) in 2003. He is good friend of the Rev. Assir Pereira, our dear brother and actual moderator of the IPIB. The Rev. Assir also is a candidate for the re-election for moderator of the IPIB in September 2006. Please pray for these elections that the Lord will help Brazil to get out of poverty, hunger, corruption and violence.
A little Brazilian boy thanked me about “ten” times because I helped him with $1.00, otherwise, he would not have enough money to pay for the 5-kilogram bag of rice. He had a big smile on his face! It made me realize that poverty, injustice, and hunger still are very much alive in this world of sin where folks can pay $200 million dollars for a soccer player and not a dime for little children. Billions of dollars are being thrown away in the Election Campaign in this world—what a waste of God’s resources.
On the work of the Lord, Irene was itinerating in the presbyteries of San Jose and Sacramento, California, and attended the Presbyterian Women’s Gathering in July. She also served as an interpreter at the gathering. Irene came back exhausted. It was really the first marathon trip she made by herself after her major surgery last October. Adriana de Souza, Ildemara Bonfim, and Solange Mello were also invited by the Presbyterian Women of the PC(USA). These young ladies graduated from the Lay Missionary Training School in Cuiaba, Mato Grosso, where we used to be director and professors. They went on and finished seminary work and are now pastors in the IPIB churches. Adriana completed her master's degree at a Methodist university in Sao Paulo and is starting her doctoral program in the same university. She also is a pastor in a slum area of Sao Paulo. Ildemara is an assistant pastor at the Cathedral IPIB in Sao Paulo and is also involved in a social project for needy women. Solange will be ordained next year and is doing her practical work at the project Aguas Lindas in Goias where Michael is her supervisor. Please continue to pray that the Lord will give these young pastors wisdom and strength to withstand pressures in ministry. You can be proud of them and the many things that they were able to accomplish for the kingdom of Christ. You supported them directly or indirectly with your prayers and financial support.
At the seminary in Brasilia, I taught Pastoral Care and Counseling I and II. I will be teaching the courses Introduction to Pastoral Theology and Theology for the Reformed Pastor in September and October. In December, four students will graduate. They are working hard on their final papers. They are starting to prepare themselves for an examination from their presbytery in order to be licensed to preach and take care of a church in 2007.They will only be ordained in 2008 after the presbytery examines them again. I also am serving as a supply preacher and give Holy Communion at the five unorganized congregations in the state of Goais. All these congregations have seminarians in residence and they also graduated from the Lay Missionary Training in Cuiaba, MatoGross. They are our next generation of ordained pastors in our presbytery. Pray for them that the power of the Lord may be upon them as they preach and teach, that souls may be saved, the sick may be healed, and that the blind may see for the glory of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Please continue to pray for the Presbytery of Federal District. It covers the states of Goias, Tocantins, and the city of Brasilia but still few IPI churches. Next issue, I will write more about the other ministries which we are engaging this presbytery. Thanks again for supporting our ministry in Brazil through the PC(USA).
In Christ,
Michael and Irene Sivalee
The 2006 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 45 |
