Date: Sun, 9 Dec 2001 10:27:19 
Subject: Still running

Fellow Laborers,
	I appreciate your continued remembrance.  The past few weeks have
passed regularly.  Not many things have happened, but I have a few things
I would like to share.
	Last week we had a few days of training on how to share the gospel
to people who can't read or write.  It was very interesting to learn how
differently literate and illiterate people think.  They taught us a method
using Bible stories in chronological order to communicate the Gospel.
Stories are apparently the basis for the way people who can't read think.
They normally don't think abstractly, but use concrete stories to
illustrate points and make parallels to their own lives.  Very interesting
stuff.
	During the training I went to TGI Friday's for lunch with my
language teachers and another missionary.  In TGIs they play American
music and serve American food etc.  While we were there I heard Vanilla
Ice's "Ice Ice Baby", the Bangles' "Manic Monday", Ace of Base's "Don't
Turn Around."  While these names might not mean anything to you I thought
it was incredibly funny.  These are just old (and pretty stupid) songs
from the late 80's and early 90's.  It was just comical to be sitting with
some Brazilians and rapping some lyrics from "Ice Ice Baby."
	It looks like I will be spending Christmas with a few Brazilian
families.  One of the families will be the ones that I stayed with for my
first month here in Brazil and one of the other ones will be the family of
the guy that helps me on my routes.  They all go to the church that I
attend.  It should be a lot of fun plus the fact that it will keep me
occupied and I won't be as sad to be away from you guys.
	This last Friday night I played soccer with some guys from my
church.  We played at night under some lights on some church's private
field.  It was really cool.
	Keep praying hard.  My language is coming along really well.  I am
doing better than some of the other missionaries that have been here for a
few months longer than me.  I bet this is probably because they have wives
and things and I spend more time interacting with Brazilians.  In any
case, its good to see progress.  Also God has just been growing my faith
in many areas and has been expanding my view of Him.

	Pray for:
		Language
		Students at the University where I will be working
		Not being sad during the holidays
		Digging into the Word and being nourished daily

	I should be moving to Sao Paulo shortly after Christmas.  I look
forward to getting settled there and beginning my work in earnest.  Thats
all for now.  I love you guys.

Justin