Dan's sermon

Dear Friends and Family,

 

1st let me apologize if you get this 2x - we're still trying to figure out which works best.  One of these I know will go through - the other should go through and post directly to our website but that's the one we're having trouble with so . . .

I just wanted to update you on how my sermon went.  Sorry it has taken so long to get back to you.  We went out of town for a few days.  We got back late on the 30th.  We will update you on our trip in the coming days. 

 

My sermon went well.  It was much longer than the last time I preached in Portuguese, more like a "normal" sermon.  The comments were very encouraging. Most people said "they understood everything, I have improved in my language, there are still some things I need to work on, however, but I have improved."  Three of the most encouraging comments were from:

1. A lady named Tina.  Tina talks with us for an hour each week so we can learn more and speak well.  She is someone I to whom I'd have gone to have listen to my pronunciation (of my sermon) beforehand, however with Christmas I did not.  After my sermon she said she understood everything and I did very well. 
2. A lady named Victoria.  She is a very strong lady in the Lord.  She said, "That  was obviously a message from the Lord.  Sometimes it is hard to give the sermon God has given you.  However, that was very good and I now understand the incarnation of Christ much better." She said my language had improved though there are some things I need to work on, however, I have improved greatly. 
3. Wilson, on of the Missionaries at the church.  He said, "You did very well.  Your next goal should be to have your topic and points written out, but not every word you want to say.  You can talk and carry a converstation (without notes) so now you need to set a goal to preach without notes."  (Preach or teach "off the top of my head")

Willson is correct.  In English I can teach and preach with out notes - I like notes but am able to function without them.  So my next goal will be to preach without full notes.  I don't know if I will be able to do that when I preach next in Jan.  However, maybe by Feb. 

 

 

I also preached Sunday night at another church about an hour away.  My sermon went better there than it had Sunday morning and my pronuciation was better. 

 

Thanks for all you prayers.  

 

Dan Been

Prayer for Dan's preaching in Portuguese

Dear Prayer Partners,

Please pray for Dan as he is preaching this Sunday. It will be in Portuguese. It is on the Incarnation of Christ and how it should impact our lives. Today, Friday, he and our tutor finally got together to go over corrections. She even said this will be a deep sermon for the church.

Because of the holiday he will be unable go over the sermon with other people.

So, please:

Pray for his pronunciation to be good.
Pray people will understand and be challenged.
Pray people will act on their convictions.

Blessings and Thank you!
Merry Christmas,
Dan and Robin Been