IC Day One

We arrived in Sao Paulo a day later than we expected due to a travel agent error. He had allowed only an hour's time to catch our connecting flight in South Africa. However, it proved to be a blessing in disguise. We would have had to stay over in Johannesburg anyway, but because the agent made the error, the airlines paid for our hotel and food for one day. After getting over the initial shock of not being on time, we relaxed and enjoyed South African Airways pampering us. The next morning we arrived at the check-in counter totally refreshed.

The first day of meetings in Atibaia (an outskirt of Sao Paulo) involved presenting a report about each country. The Brazilian director, Thomas Smoak, shared about two of their staff members who believe it their calling to take in unwanted, special needs, and orphaned children. Their house is built for 30 people, but currently 40 are living in it. This includes their 30 adopted children plus extended family. One by one we heard from the directors of Cambodia, Canada, India, Latin America, and the Philippines. Each of the reports were encouraging and it was wonderful to hear stories from around the globe.


Later in the day Tracy presented a power point presentation about the Zambian field. He shared about its main ministries~Ciyanjano (our ministry center), Pastoral Leadership Development, the ACTION Pastors College (APC), NextGen (Christian education), and C.R.O.S.S. (Churches Ready to Overcome Stigma and Shame [about HIV/AIDS]). Several com- mented about his great presentation, which was encouraging. (Check out AZM's new website, actionzambia.org, for further information.)


I want to conclude with an interesting story about Brazil's director, Thomas Smoak. Before coming to Africa I became friends with a woman named Dania who told me about her brother. She said he worked with children at risk in Brazil. However, I did not put two and two together until I saw Dania's maiden name on Facebook as it reminded me of her birthday. "Smoak! ACTION Brazil's director is Dania's brother! Dania is Thomas' sister!" An "aha" moment for me that week. I know, I'm a little slow!