Reflections on Brazil: The Ebenezer Adventure

What an absolute whirlwind! Alice and I touched down in São Paulo to a welcome of glorious heat and that unmistakable Brazilian humidity that makes you feel alive (and a little bit damp). Before diving into the heart of our mission, we stole a weekend for some precious family time. But soon, the "Great Search for Tim" began. Having taken a different flight path straight to Campinas, Tim was our man on the ground, and we were determined to bridge the gap.

Alice’s cousin has a lovely home in the "middle of nowhere"—and I mean that literally! As we veered off the main tracks, our phone signals decided to take a holiday, leaving us navigating the dark Brazilian countryside on pure intuition and prayer. It turned into a proper midnight adventure! Once we finally found the house, we recruited the cousin as our honorary scout to guide us to the airport. Success! We finally scooped up Mr. Maton, finishing our long trek well after the clock struck twelve.

The next morning, we were treated to a VIP tour. Alice’s cousin is the Head of Botany at Campinas University, and she was bursting with excitement to show us her brainchild: a Biblical Plants Garden. It was truly fascinating to see the flora of the scriptures gathered in one place. However, we weren't the only ones interested in the greenery. The local mosquitoes decided that "English Blood" was the finest vintage they’d ever tasted! Our legs were absolutely devoured—a spicy welcome to the tropics, indeed.

Cousins to the rescue once again! Alice’s family hosted us at a sprawling ranch with a house so spacious you could get lost in it. We arrived safely, still sweating under the tropical sun and still donating blood to the local insect population (who clearly hadn't heard we’d already given at the garden). But as the sun dipped, the magic happened. The smell of the woods filled the air, the moon was nothing short of charming, and the evening freshness provided a much-needed rest under a brilliant, starry sky.

We hit the road again, navigating a dual-carriageway that felt like it was melting under the heat and the weight of massive sugar cane lorries. Our destination? Americana. Across town, nestled on a sleepy road, stands the Ebenezer church building—and what a gem! Think cool marble floors and airy rooms designed for every ministry imaginable.

Robert Miller, looking every bit the proud visionary, gave us the grand tour alongside Carlos, an elder who has served Ebenezer for 25 years. We spent three hours talking, and it became clear: Robert is a master of organization. He has rebuilt Ebenezer "piece by piece," supported by three elders, several deacons, and a congregation whose loyalty is palpable.

Through a slide presentation, Robert showed us the journey from the beginning to now. It’s a story of hard work, high costs, and immense faith. It’s a lively, family-oriented church that feels remarkably like our own Everyday Church in its doctrinal DNA.

Americana (population 350,000) was actually founded by Texans like Colonel William Norris in 1866 following the US Civil War. They brought cotton and new farming techniques, leaving a unique cultural footprint in this corner of São Paulo state.

Thursday afternoon started with a delightful "Lunchinho" (afternoon tea) with the Miller family before we headed to the reflective service. What Robert thought might be a quiet mid-week gathering turned into a packed house! Two other local churches showed up with their pastors and members in tow.

The atmosphere was electric yet intimate. The worship band—a beautiful family affair featuring Graciella and Felipe—led us through songs that fit the moment perfectly. Afterward, we shared a "bring and share" meal. Tim, ever the brave soul, was already diving into Portuguese phrases, and the warmth of the people made us feel like we’d been members for years.

While some stayed in the ranch, Alice and Tim ventured out to a ranch in a neighbouring town for an extended Miller family retreat. It was a time of singing in English, deep fellowship, and—you guessed it—more snacks (Lunchinho) to compensate for the blood lost to our mosquito "friends"!

Easter morning was a sizzler! We ducked out of the humidity into the air-conditioned sanctuary where the band was back in action (and looking sharp in colour-coordinated outfits!). They even subtitled the songs in English for us and asked Tim to lead a chorus in English, as our Joshua Fernandes had once done in reverse in Wimbledon, with Filipe singing a chorus in Portuguese.

The service kicked off with a pre-service prayer meeting, mirroring the rhythm we have at Everyday Church. Then, the room exploded into worship. When it came time for the preach, Alice read the Word in Portuguese, and Emma Ramanu (in South America for work) read in English.

Tim presented Robert and his sons with AFC Wimbledon football jerseys. He shared the story of the Phoenix on the badge—how the club was reborn from the ashes in 2002. It was a powerful parallel to Ebenezer’s own rebirth after the challenges they faced eight years ago, as well as a metaphor for our resurrection in Christ. The response was overwhelming; we ended the service praying for a crowd at the front, feeling truly humbled.

This trip wasn't just about sightseeing; it was about solidifying a church-to-church friendship. Tim and I have already spotted several areas where the churches can support each other. We’ve realized that Ebenezer isn't just a "partner"—they are a sister church with similar values.

New Ground is blessed to have them, and Everyday Church is blessed to call them friends. The bridge between our communities is now stronger than ever, and I can't wait to see what grows from the seeds planted during this humid, mosquito-filled, Spirit-led adventure!