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!