My Side Job as a Gospel Rap Music Agent

Back in the day when I was a Lipscomb student, my nickname was "Snoop." It's too long to explain how I got this nickname - I'm not even entirely sure how I acquired it. But since it stuck, I would occasionally bust out a rhyme, my white bread version of rap. Nothing professional or anything, but just for fun, when my friends would least expect it, I would let loose with some verses. People were always surprised "where did you come up with that?" I started to think there was a rap music star within me.

Well, I didn't make it as a rapper, to my everlasting chagrin, but I am now helping some guys here in POA to try and make it in the music biz as their unofficial "agent". Call me Snoopster JB - as in John da Baptist, preparing the way for young Christian talent to showcase their skills.

I've posted here before about G.A.P., a gospel rap trio formed by three chacara graduates (L-R on their CD cover): David (VidBrasa), Jefferson (Mano Fino), and Elder (DiMC). For those who doubt my prowess, here is their CD backcover with yours truly alongside for the ride:

A pretty neat story happened last week and it goes something like this: I gave a G.A.P. CD to my sister-in-law Patricia to give to a friend of her choice. She gave it to her friend Tamiris, who shared it with her mother, Aparecida. It happens that Aparecida studies social work at IPA, a Methodist university near our house. Aparecida just loved their music, and happened to be working on a presentation on alcohol & drug addiction for one of her classes. So she asked me to invite G.A.P. to come to her class and represent.
L-R: Mercedes, one of Aparecida's colleagues, VidBrasa, DiMC, Aparecida, and a third colleague whose name I didn't catch. G.A.P. were the stars of the show. They spoke about their lives and performed two of their songs. The class gave them a standing O, bought several of their CDs, and spent a lot of time talking with the guys afterwards. I was quite surprised by the warm and open reception. I wasn't sure if the class would be receptive to faith-based methods and testimonies of overcoming drug addictions, but they were, and I believe G.A.P.'s story reinforced the fact that God can and does transform lives in extraordinary ways!
The post-game celebration at Habib's, an Arabian fast-food joint (yummy). Paulo Renato was with us and gave his testimony to the class of how he overcame alcoholism through his time at the chacara & his commitment to Jesus. I kick myself for not having filmed his speech because it was one of the best summaries of his story that I've ever heard him give. DiMC's wife, Elisangela, was with us as well. G.A.P., as a result of this visit to IPA, may be invited to perform at other college-related events, and at a well-known chemical dependency clinic run by the city.

This is my side job as JB - I take joy in preparing the way for people like Paulo Renato, DiMC and VidBrasa to have opportunity to share their stories and thus provoke people to reflect on their own faith & life. Peace out!

Spencers Open their House

Earlier this month, Waleska and I were privileged to be a part of a very special moment in the life of our dear friends Joao and Clarice Spencer. They are among our closest friends here. Joao is an Air Force fighter pilot while Clarice is a doctor, and they have one son, Joca. They live in a closed neighborhood for officers in Canoas, a suburb of POA where the airbase is located. For some time, they have wanted to invite Joao's Air Force colleages to their home for Christian fellowship. In addition to doing the usual things that people do when they invite friends to their home (meal, hanging out), Joao and Clarice wanted to share with their friends why they follow Jesus.

On the first day of November, Joao and Clarice finally found the right moment to begin fulfilling their dream. They invited their friends Jose Neto & Clarissa, and Fabio & Lilliane, to enjoy a meal with us and with Everton & Diana from our church. The thermometer marked 100 degrees fahrenheit that day, the hottest day we've had so far this year. But that didn't stop what the Lord was going to do.

Joao really went all out - he made Greek souvlaki barbecue, combining the best of Southern Brazil with the best of Greece, and let me tell you, it was delicious! After the food fun, we had a time of singing and of sharing. Joao just opened his heart and share why it was important for him to be a follower of Jesus and how much blessing this had brought to his life over the years. Tears came to his eyes as he spoke. I could tell it was an amazingly meaningful moment for him. His friends listened attentively and appreciated his openness.

I wanted to write about this moment just to show how amazingly simple church can be: inviting those we care about to our home, sharing a meal together, and talking openly about why we follow Jesus and why this makes a difference in our lives. It reminded me of the first apostles, when they were testifying in Acts: "We are witnesses." Their time with Jesus changed their lives, redirected their lives towards God's glory.

Joao and Clarice are witnesses to how Jesus has changed and redirected their lives, and they wish to share their living testimony with those they know. We commend them for their loving spirit, and we ask for your prayers as they continue to invite and to testify, to make their home a house that changes the world - one family at a time!

Mr. Chaves

Here I will tell you about the oldest member (age 66) of our congregation, Mr. Chaves (means "keys" in Portuguese). Chaves was once a successful real estate agent here in town, quite well-to-do by all accounts. Unfortunately, he let drinking get the best of him, and his family asked him to leave. Chaves recoved from his addiction at the chacara at the same time that Paulo Renato was there. Paulo and Chaves are great friends. Here they are in this photo:

Chaves lives in a very simple house in a not-so-nice neighborhood in Alvorada. I was not present to witness the following story, but it testifies to his character. Kevin and Paulo Renato tell me that once, when they were visiting Chaves, two young girls came to Chaves' door asking for food. This is a common occurrence. All Chaves had to eat in his house were two bananas. So what did he do? He took his two bananas and gave them to the girls. I tell you, that is a great example of faith acting in compassion. Chaves receives a monthly retirement pension, and with that money he takes care of himself, his dogs, and ends up being salt & light to a desperate community around him. We praise God that Chaves is our brother and pray that God will continue to give him many more years of life and health!

Dilamar

When the guys at the chacara reach the 7-month mark in their 9-month recovery program, they are allowed to make their first visit to the home of their family and loved ones. Recently we had a unique situation with the latest guy to reach 7 months - Dilamar is his name. He's on the right here; I'm doing my famous Rehbein closing-my-eyes-pose for photos.

It was the first time I had ever met one of these guys who literally had nowhere to go for his home visit. Dilamar's father and one of his brothers are in prison; his mother is deceased; his wife and son want nothing to do with him; his other brothers have no contact with him. Imagine, a 40-year old man, who should be at the peak of his life experiences, yet apparently had no one who wanted to spend time with him. I talked with Waleska and Paulo Renato and Isaias, and we decided to receive Dilamar in our home on Sunday, October 25 for his first visit. It was a memorable experience!

Here is the crew that participated in the visit: Spencer, Dilamar, Paulo Renato, Valter (a recent chacara graduate who preached for us on Sunday morning), Christian, and myself. This particular Sunday was a Celebration meeting for all of our house churches. Valter gave a powerful sermon based on the book of Haggai and his own life experiences. Dilamar shared some of his story with the church family and they welcomed him with open arms. It was one of the best celebrations I've experienced here in POA. The intensity of love and commitment to God and to one another was fantastic.

When guys come to your house, you have to feed them - and I did, with George Foreman burgers and oven-baked fries! Needless to say, no one walked away hungry. All of us were encouraged by our fellowship on this special day, but Dilamar was encouraged most of all. Dilamar realized that God truly is on his side and that he has a family in Christ, the church local and worldwide, that cares for him. Pray for this special brother, that he will continue to persevere in his recovery!