Carnaval Retreat

Every year in Brazil, probably the biggest event that occurs (rivaled only by major soccer tournaments like the World Cup) is Carnaval. This is Brazil’s version of Mardi Gras. It is carnal; it is sensual; it is one huge, wild party. Most Christians choose to not participate because of the nature of the celebration (people are trying to sin all they can before Lent starts and they have to give up everything for 40 days). For Calvary Chapel Brazil, it is time for annual Carnaval Retreat. All the Calvary Chapel’s get together for an extended weekend of worship, teaching, and fellowship at the Bible College/Retreat Center in Campo Mourao. This year we had representation from every Calvary (7 total) except the one in Recife (which is just way too far away to come).

Pastors Brian Broderson, John Randall and Jim Gallagher came down from the states to teach at the retreat and all the churches brought their worship bands to take turns leading in worship. The Pastors went over some of the doctrines that make us Calvary Chapel and we spent time after the services praying for and ministering to people in need. I think the best part was to see the young people in our church hang out together and get to know each other better. I think some good relationships were established and others were deepened during the weekend. We needed it because our church is over half college aged kids. They tend to struggle with being overly sensitive and getting their feelings hurt over little relational problems with each other. Then instead of dealing with the problems, they create new ones by talking about everything with other people. This time together for the retreat was great because we just meet with each other and with the Lord, and we walked away with less problems than we came with. I think that is what should happen when we keep our eyes focused in on Jesus! Pray for us that our young people can continue to do this!