Our Country and Church
WELCOME TO BRAZIL
THE NATION
Area: with 3,286,500 sq. miles, Brazil is the largest country in South America, 5th in world. There are 24 states and a Federal District. POPULATION: 160, 637, 489 ( 1995 ), 31% of population under 14,7% over 60. ETHNIC COMPOSITION: The vast majority are Portuguese, Africans, and Mulatos, also Italians, Germans, Japonese, Indigenous people, Arabs and Jews.
LANGUAGES: Official Portuguese. Others, English, German, Italian, various Brazilian Indian .
RELIGIONS: Brazil is known as the largest Roman Catholic Country in the world, officially 70%, ( this includes many who also belive in African and Indian religions ). The Roman Catholic Church has three distinct divisions: The traditional conservative, the liberation theology base communities, and the charismatic. 2% are Spiritist, including the followers of Alan Kardac and those who practice Afro-Brazilian religions know as Macumba, Candomble and others. 15-20% are Protestant, usually called Evangelicals. These include mainstream Protestant churches: Lutherans, Methodist, Presbyterians, Baptists and Episcopalians.
Pentecostal missions and churches include Assemblies of God, Brazil for Christ, God is Love and Universal Church of the Kingdom of God. These account for 75% of the non- Catholic Christians, and are the fastest growing churches, appealing specially to the urban poor. Other non-Catholic missions include Seventh-Day Adventists, Mormons, and Jehovahs Witnesses .
EDUCATION: Literacy rate is 81%. The constitution states that every child from 7-14 should be in school, but there are not enough public schools. Private school are accessible only to the economically privileged few. It is estimated that nine million children have no accesss to education. Of 1000 children who begin first grade, only one will graduate from a university. Brazil ranks 88th in expenditure on education.
GOVERNMENT: Federate Republic with two houses of government.
The states have individual constitutions and elected government.
Recent landmarks in government:
1964-1985 – Military rule.
1985 restoration of democracy.
1986 first free and direct election elected Fernando Collor de Melo.
1988 inpeachmant for corruption.
1992 Election of Fernando Henrique Cardoso.
BRAZIL IS AN URBAN COUNTRY. A large percent of population live in 9 cities 44% of these live substandart condition.
MAJOR CITIES: Brasilia, the capital, built in the geographical center of the country, was inaugurated in 1960; Rio de Janeiro: known for its natural beauty between the mountains and Guanabara Bay; São Paulo: industrial center whith approximately 20 million people in great São Paulo. Belo Horizonte: Center of mining-iron ore semi-and precious stone. Salvador: center of African history. Recife: major city in poverty stricken northwest. Manaus: the entrance to the Amazon area. Porto Alegre: Southern city with German and Italian influence.
CLIMATE: The seasons are the reverse of those in the northen hemisphere. From Rio north, it is always warm. São Paulo and southern states require medium weight coasts in winter ( June-August ) Rainwear is needed at all times.
CURRENCY: REAL ECONOMIC SITUATION: Low income, 3rd worst country in distribution of wealth. Foreign debt one of largest in world. 8th nation in industrial production- but 62nd in life style. Many natural resoucers. Growing industrial sector.
THE PEOPLE: Brazilians are a very friendly, gracious and hospitable people . official Brazil promotes the theory of racial blending but in real life racism is present in a very subtle way and not recognized by many who consider themselves to have no race prejudicies. The division by classe is very. evident. It is not possible to describe a Typical brazilian or even a national costume. This big country is mixture of peoples, customs and traditions.
GREETINGS: Men at woman always shake hands upon meeting. It is also custom to ambrace a friend, putting cheek to cheek and kissing the air, doing this on both cheeks. A third kiss is sometimes given to a single woman as a sign of good luck. When leaving, after a visit, it is customary to shake hands whith all those present, including children.
GESTURE: The traditional American O K sing, whith thumb and index finger formimg a circle is an obscene gesture. The thumbs up sigin is used to show approval. Waving an outstreched hand whth the palm down means come here rathes than good-bye. Brazilians often add emphasis to a statement by snapping the fingers with a whip of the hand. To indicate I dontt know the tips of the fingers are brushed forward under the chin. To express great liking or appreciation of something ( such as delicious meal ) one takes the lobe of the ear between the trumb and forefinger. To put this expression in the superlative, make the same gesture reaching behind the head at the opposite ear. Moving the hand back and forth palm dowmward indicates more ar len
HOLIDAYS: Brazilians celebrate New Years Eve; canival; Good Friday; Easter; April Fools Day ( April 1st ); Tiradentes. Abril 21, a hero of the independence movement; Labor Day ( May 1st ); Mothers Day ( 2nd Sunday in May ); Fathers Day, ( 2nd Sunday in August ); ( Independence Day Sept7th ); childrens Day and Nossa Senhora de Aparecida, patron saint on Oct 12th ;All Souls Day ( Nov . 2 ); Republic Day ( nov . 15; and christmas).
FOOD: Black or brown beans and white rice are the basic of any meal. Every section of the country has its special dish: Feijoada, barbecue, moqueca ( fish ), cheese bread. just to name a few.
STREET SMARTS: Brazils cities have no more crime than any other large city. The poor are crowded remarkable close to the rich. Wear a plastic watch and avoid any jewelry that will call attention. An inexpensive knapsack, worn to front, is a good way to carry your camera and purchases. Valuables such as passaport and air ticket should be left in a safe plece provided by the VIM coordinator. Carry only the amount of money you need at the time.
SHOPPING: Brazil is one of the worlds leading suppliers of gemstone and is famous for its leather goods. There will be native art and handicrafts wherever you are.
NAME: Brazilians use first name much more often than family names. The titles, Dona( feminine ) and Senhor ( Masculine ), are used with first name. Often you know people for a long time and you do not know their family name. So you should introduce yourself as Dona Judy, or Senhor Bill rather than Mrs. Brent and Mr. Jones.
TELLING TIME: In general conversation, one would refer to the time of day as in the US. However, officcially the military system of telling time is used, which is based on a twenty-four hours clock. Thus if the sign says that church starts at 20:00 hours, you will know it starts at 8PM. You can calculate Eastern Standart + 2 in all tourist destinations exept Manaus and Belem ( est + 1 ). Daylight Saving is in effect from last Sartuday in October to first Sunday in February. Dates are written with the day first, then the month, then the year. 28/11/97.
THE METHODIST CHURCH IN BRAZIL: Is divided into six ecclesiastical regions, one missionary Region of the Northeast ( REMNE ) and one national mission field located in the North and Northwest. Today the church has hundred thousand members and approximately three hundred thousand participants.
THE METHODIST CHURCH IN BRAZIL RECENT HISTORY: In 1930, the mission church, begun in1867 by Southern Methodist missionaries from the US, become an autonomous church – The Methodist Church in Brazil. The organization remained patterned on the US Church but leadership was now elect by the Brazilian Church. In1970s due to many changes brought about by the militare government, the Methodist Church began to search for a mission purpose and a form of organization that would indentify more with Brazilian culture and need. This led to a restructuring of the entire church in the 1980s which challenged the Methodist Church to become less of a maintenance church and more a mission outreach church.
BEACHES: The beaches in Brazil drop off very quickly and have a strong undertow. You will notice that most people go only to sunbathe and put their feet in the water. PLEASE be carefull !! Ask local people about beaches Here. Dont take valuables and dont leave anything unattended.
Varjadas and Limoeiro:The Place where we will be working is located in one of the less evangelized places in Brazil.There are some places there where we have less than 1 % of Protestant or Evangelical people.The Methodist Church in The Northeast has about 2.600 people.The structure of the Church is a missionary one.We have one Bishop that takes care of the Complete Region.( Conference)
PASSAPORT: Make a xerox copy of you passaport and visa to carry with you at all time as required by law. Leave the passaport in a safe place.
