One Body, Many Parts

On Sunday, the following happened in our house church:

• Leni and Jorge received hugs and affection because of the loss of Leni's sister last week. During one song, she became emotional, so we stopped everything and prayed for her and her family as Ivoli lovingly stroked her head.
• Rodrigo, Eduardo and Alexandre told about their need for financial help to move into a house after living at the Chácara - a Christian drug rehabilitation center. Our offering went to them and was more than they needed. Part of the money was from Leni who had received more than she needed a few weeks ago from this house church.
• Christian (also a recent graduate of the chácara) was present because next weekend our church will be helping out doing improvements at the apartment that he shares with 2 other chácara graduates.
• Freitas and Auristela, visitors who own a hardware store, offered to help with materials needed for these home improvements. They are selling us all the supplies at cost.
  
• Leni offered a washing machine to Rodrigo, Eduardo and Alexandre for their new house.
• Jane (Rodrigo and Eduardo´s mom) decided to give a washing machine that she was saving for her boys to another family from the chácara who needs it badly. Kevin, Paulo Renato and Freitas will make the appropriate deliveries this week in our blue van that hasn't sold yet.

In this photo: Christian, Alexandre, Rafael and Tati (Jane's daughter and husband), Rodrigo, Valmir, Jane and Eduardo (in the front).

• Berney (Benay's dad) led a Bible study about faith. Bronwyn translated. Ansley and Grace taught the kids.
• There were 3 not yet Christians visiting who had never been to house church before.
• Christian led a special prayer for Rodrigo, Eduardo and Alexandre.
  
• Paulo Renato led our thoughts for the Lord's Supper and cried as he prayed for the boys at the chácara - where he himself met the Lord and was freed from a life of alcoholism.
• Rodrigo, Eduardo and Alexandre offered to paint our house for whatever price we could pay them.*

*(We live in a rented house that needs painting very badly. Painting it is the responsibility of the owner. Rodrigo and company are starting a new painting business and we wanted to be their first clients, but our landlord doesn't want to spend the money to do that right now. It would cost around 700 dollars - a very fair price.)

• After church, we enjoyed a meal together. Each person contributing either a main dish or a drink.

• Leni washed the dishes.

Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.

In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.

Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.

Romans 12:4-10

Amen.