Things Are Not As They Seem…
Writings

Things Are Not As They Seem…

As we hiked around the city of Caririaçu the other day, Nathanael and I happened on what appeared to be a dead end street. Curious as to why the city government decided to end the street at that location–with a large neighborhood just beyond–we walked toward the fence. When we reached it, we discovered that…

Why Missionary Max?
Missionary Max | Writings

Why Missionary Max?

Beginning tomorrow you will be able to follow the adventures of Missionary Max here on this blog. Several years ago I made a brief foray into fiction, trying to write the chapters of the story as I went. After a short period of time I abandoned this as impractical. For the last two years I…

Missionaries or Yankee Imperialists?
Brazil

Missionaries or Yankee Imperialists?

Missionaries who leave their homeland to work in another country almost always carry with them political baggage. They will be asked to explain or justify the actions of the leaders of their nation of origin. And this is not limited to current events. I still get asked why the US found it necessary to bomb…

Best of Brazil: Then and Now in Belem
Best of Brazil

Best of Brazil: Then and Now in Belem

I have been meaning to do this post for some time. Several months ago the son of one of our first BMM missionaries here in Brazil sent me some photos and post cards that date back to the 1930’s. Among the photos were a set of postcards from Belem. As I looked through the cards…

Worth the Fare
Short Stories | Writings

Worth the Fare

I have mixed emotions about taxis. My tight-fisted Scottish nature recoils at the high fares. Yet the writer and conversationalist in me enjoys hearing stories – and few people have better stories to tell than Brazilian cabbies. Of course, once the cabbie finds out I am American, the subject turns to the US, and suddenly…