Several weeks before Renate had asked me if I would be willing to speak to the English class at the University. She had told her professor that she knew a real American and could she bring her to class to talk about culture or language and answer question? The teacher said she could, a date was set then postponed and finally today it worked out and after the night was over Renate and I knew why it had to have been tonight.

The 20 something students sat in a large circle and after listening to an Elvis Presley song we all filled in the missing words. She then asked me to explain some culture and give them some expressions. What I had not realized is that the class went from 7:00 p.m. til 10:30! Someone in the class then asked what made us come to Chapeco. That in itself was a good opportunity to talk about the Bible studies which lead to talking about God and almost abandon English for Portuguese so that everyone was able to understand everything. But as the evening wore on the spiritual hunger in the Teacher was more and more obvious. She then said as long as we are talking about God let's look at the homework that she had choosen for the class. I couldn't believe what I saw when she handed me the printout. "The Pilgrims and what they believed" and she asked me to please read it out loud to the class and explain it! Wow!!!! What an opportunity. As I went through the list of Doctrins I explained that the Puritans believed these things because it was in the Bible and then I wrote out word for word. Romans 3:23, Ephesians 2:8,9 and John 3:16. 11 Peter 3:9 After I would write out each verse I explained it in great detail and with illustrations. After each verse Renate would read it in Portuguese. The Teacher and other students were copying all the verses down and paying rapt attention. One young lady came up asking when the Bible studies were and was there one on Saturday afternoon which was her only free day. I wrote down my phone number on the white board and told them they were free to call me anytime. I was also invited back for their Thanksgiving party which will be held on Holloween, : ) Oh well. I'm thrilled for the open door and hungry hearts that God is wanting to fill. Renate told Rachel her teacher that she would loan her "Stranger on the Road to Emaus". Praise the Lord.