10250 North Freeway @ West Road
Houston, Texas 77037
Tel: (281) 447-8484
Pastor: Dr. Lester Hutson

All of the material listed herein is the property of the Byron McCartney family, and may not be copied without express written authorization.

I was born in October of 1952, the second of four children born to Byron and Ruth McCartney, missionaries in training for serving God in the great land of Brazil. Nine months later my parents, my older sister and I arrived in the city of São Paulo, Brazil. During the next 17 years I witnessed first hand how God both led and protected our family corporately and individually. In this series I'd like to share with you some of our many experiences and maybe give you a taste of what it was like to grow up in a missionary family in the beautiful land of Brazil. First however, here is a brief overview of Brazil and its people.

Discovered in April of 1500 by the Portuguese, Brazil is the largest country in South America and the only country whose people speak Portuguese. It occupies a large portion of the eastern coastline of South America and its land mass is larger than the continental US. Its only coastline is greater than the coastline of the entire continental US. It is home to the largest river, The Amazon, and the largest rainforest in the world which alone covers an area almost as large as the US. It is so large that you could fit all the European countries (less the old USSR - 'Union of Socially Suppressed Republics') into it and have plenty of room left over. It is a big, big country.

Under Portuguese rule until September 7, 1822 Brazil's political health has been mostly stable and democratic. The exception was a short period of time in the early 60's when socialistic leaders attempted to influence the country towards communism. After a failed coup in 1964 the military ousted the leftist leaders and set up a military dictatorship for the next 6 years. Ask any Brazilian over the age of 35 and he/she will tell you that those were the best years in their country's history. In 1970 democratic elections were once again instituted, but unfortunately inflation and crime came back with a vengeance.

Brazil is a beautiful country. The entire northern half consists of the Amazon basin with its wetlands and jungle. The center of the country below the Amazon contains a semi arid region. The eastern coastline contains a tropical region that extends in from the coastline to the foothills of a coastal mountain range that runs almost the entire length of the country. The southern region is mostly flat grass land.

Its people are as diverse and as beautiful as its geography. After its discovery Brazil attracted many Europeans and unfortunately a healthy slave trade. There was plenty of racial intermarriage between the Europeans and the slaves as well as with the Indians. As a result Brazil's population is 1/3 black or mulatto (black/white mix), another third is Indian or Indian/white mix and the last third is white. Whatever their heritage Brazilian's are a warm and caring people. We were always accepted and treated with respect wherever we went.

So this was the country to which my father felt called to take the gospel. The verse which inspired him and which he often quoted is Exodus 23:20, 'behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared.'  This message from God to the Israelites who were leaving the tyranny and slavery of Egypt to the promised land flowing with milk and honey found a very secure place in my father's heart and mind. I've entitled this series 'In The Way' because of that verse and also because much of the time, as you will see, I was more IN the way than in THE way, if you know what I mean. So join me now as we journey through some of the experiences I went through as a missionary kid in the great land of Brazil and see for yourself how God led, protected and used my family and me for His honor and glory.

"It Does Make a Difference What You Believe"