Pentecostal, Brazilan, "God is Love" Church...

So I finally made it to a non-catholic church for what they still call mass. Let's just say it wasn't exactly what I was hoping for or expecting! I asked Luis to help me find a Christian (anything that's not catholic or mormon here qualifies) church to attend... he did and said he would like to go with me! GREAT! I was so excited, got all dressed up Sunday morning and off we went...

Only to find out the "service" went from 8am-1pm... the entire message for the 30 min. we stayed was about giving money, robbing from God, how the church needed money, and how everyone in attendance was poor because they weren't giving money to the church. Hmmmm... Not only that, but after entering and sitting in two plastic seats in the back (obviously neither one of us being too observant), we got in trouble cause the women were supposed to sit on one side of the aisle and men on the other! WHAT?! I went with it and moved. Luis had a harder time with this rule and after a short time decided to wait for me outside. I think being raised catholic, the whole experience may have been more uncomfortable even for him than me! It was a pretty hard pill to swallow... trying to introduce someone to your way of worship only for both of you to leave pretty disappointed and feeling worse than before you went! He kept asking, so is that how your church is? Is your father a pastor like that? My church doesn't have these rules... why did they make you sit on the other side? Do they permit tatooes, or was that why the guy was looking at me funny? etc...

Bottom line I'm glad we tried. I'll keep trying... but it looks like I may be attending catholic mass if I want to go here!
I have my faith, I have my Bible, and I have my relationship with God... guess that what really matters, not the building or the Sunday morning... right?!

Well, gotta run!
Love y'all!
Kate