Out here in Brazil I was able to visit Seixas, which is the most easterly point anywhere in the Americas and therefore, the closest to Africa.

Brazilians are a proud, patriotic people. One native boasted that if the USA were to lose Alaska, Brazil would be the larger of the two countries. My reaction was to say, “two things: The last time I checked, Alaska IS part of the USA and you just go and try to tell all the Bears and Elk there that they are not American and see how they react.” 🙂

Brazilians are notorious for at least a couple of things:

(1) Having a party for any reason whatsoever
(2) The love of the game of soccer

The parties can last for days, and the soccer matches are such a big event that when Brazil play any game at all, the banks and businesses close four hours before the kick off.

I was born and raised in England, the very home of soccer. However, there is no doubt that Brazil has taken the game to a whole new level, both in skill and in fanaticism. BRAZIL IS SOCCER CRAZY.

The rivalry between Brazil and Argentina is notorious, the games played between them, like wars. The whole nation’s emotions rises and falls on Brazil’s result. The fact that Brazil has won the World Cup in soccer 5 times (more than anyone else) means that Brazil is a happy country. If Brazil does not win, the next best thing is for Argentina to lose. Brazilians ususally cheer for any team playing against Argentina.

As to religion, Brazil is a Roman Catholic country, and yet a great many people often mix this Catholicism with other pagan religious rituals. The percentage of evangelical Christians is relatively small, but thankfully growing.

May God cause His gospel to be proclaimed and heard by many here in this beautiful country.