BELÉM DO PARÁ, Brazil (BNC) by Nick Fowler — Something happened during the Lord’s Supper this morning that I imagine seldom happens to our brothers in the United States.

As we were passing out the bread, a loud and attention-getting commotion arose on the street in front of our meeting room. Dozens of people were crowding around and shouting right in front of our building.

Today is the idol festival called Cirio in Belém. This morning during Bible class I actually led a study using Acts 19 and the riot in Ephesus. When I saw the people outside the building, my first thought was that they were protesting our presence!

Later we saw that there were two ladies in a fist fight. The group had gathered around to watch and cheer, instead of breaking it up.

We paused our worship and the Lord’s Supper for a few minutes until the events eventually moved on down the street.

During the interruption, some of us took time to pray for them and all the people involved, asking the Lord to stop the fight and return peace in the street.

Things are different here. No doubt about that!

Nick and Amy Fowler are sponsored by the Mount Juliet, Tenn., congregation. Story updated 2014-10-13, 8:10 am CT.

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