Field Visit

Last month, three WELS Representatives arrived in Brazil for a 14-day tour of Igreja Luterana Brasilera (ILB) – The Brazilian Lutheran Church. Pastor Robert Smith serves as the chairman for our Administrative Committee for Latin American Missions (AC-LA) as well as liaison to LATTE, Mr. Ernesto LaTorre serves on the AC-LA as the newly appointed liaison to Brazil; and Dr. Robert Anderson serves on the WELS Board for World Missions (BWM).  Read below as they share their observations.

 Friendly Counselor Natán, Mr. Ernesto LaTorre, Pastor Robert Smith, 

& Dr. Robert Anderson

In contrast to the densely packed cities are the vast expanses of farmland in central

and southern sections of the country. Smaller cities and a slower paced life allow

us to work with the people to spread the Gospel message. Worshiping with our

brothers and sisters in Gravatai and Dourados warmed my heart and reassured me

that the work of the Holy Spirit through WELS missionaries for the past 24 years

has born much fruit. I am left with the prayer ta, 'Times New Roman', serif;">

In contrast to the densely packed cities are the vast expanses of farmland in central

and southern sections of the country. Smaller cities and a slower paced life allow

us to work with the people to spread the Gospel message. Worshiping with our

brothers and sisters in Gravatai and Dourados warmed my heart and reassured me

that the work of the Holy Spirit through WELS missionaries for the past 24 years

has born much fruit. I am left with the prayer that our Lord will allow us to continue assisting the ministry in Brazil."

-- Dr. Robert Anderson, WELS Board for World Missions Member

"Our trip to Brazil brought many memorable moments. One of them was the church dinner held on a Sunday night in Dourados. The church had prepared a special meal in the Brazilian style of churrascaria, which includes various meats roasted on spits over a barrel of Brazilian charcoal. As the meal was starting, there was a thunderstorm going on outside, and the lights started to flicker. Just a couple minutes later everything went dark. That did not stop the meal. Some people turned on their cell phones to provide light, others their cameras. Together with a flashlight or two there was enough light to continue. And then, just about when everyone was done eating, the lights came back on. 

This event made me think a little bit about the bigger picture. Brazil is a land like any other, filled with people who live in the darkness of sin and unbelief, people who need the light of a Savior. The darkness seems overwhelming, considering that we have only two rather small congregations in the middle of a land of 200 million. Nevertheless, Jesus sends us out with the light of the gospel. Just as with the light of the cell phones was enough for the meal, so the light of the gospel, even though the workers are few, will shine and accomplish God's purpose in Brazil."

-- Pastor Robert Smith, WELS Administrative Committee-Latin American Missions Chairman