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Thank you for your interest in L’Abri. Brazilian L’Abri is a Resource Center based in Belo Horizonte City, the capital of Minas Gerais State.
Brazilian L’Abri promotes theme weekends, lecture series, short study terms and an annual conference in July. Our Summer Short Term occurs in January (two weeks). Two other terms are hosted in the first semester, and one in the second (four to six weeks each).
Opposing the perception of many people, L’Abri is not primarily a “mind” place, even being it very important in the L’Abri tradition. The centre of L’Abri is the reality of God, having community life as the context for personal renewing - of heart, mind and hands. We believe every honest question deserves an honest answer, and that community life is the proper context for honest questioning and dialogue.
We emphasize the Lordship of Christ over all things and the unity of grace and nature as central keys for the recovering of our shared humanity. The whole gospel, for the whole human, all over the world.
ABOUT YOUR STAY
Thank you for your interest in L’Abri. Brazilian L’Abri is a Resource Center based in Belo Horizonte City, the capital of Minas Gerais State.
Brazilian L’Abri promotes theme weekends, lecture series, short study terms and an annual conference in July. Our Summer Short Term occurs in January (two weeks). Two other terms are hosted in the first semester, and one in the second (four to six weeks each).
Opposing the perception of many people, L’Abri is not primarily a “mind” place, even being it very important in the L’Abri tradition. The centre of L’Abri is the reality of God, having community life as the context for personal renewing - of heart, mind and hands. We believe every honest question deserves an honest answer, and that community life is the proper context for honest questioning and dialogue.
We emphasize the Lordship of Christ over all things and the unity of grace and nature as central keys for the recovering of our shared humanity. The whole gospel, for the whole human, all over the world.
ABOUT YOUR STAY
The Place
L’Abri is located in property down-town Belo Horizonte, in a urban setting. There we have a house, where lives a family of workers, plus a small building which have a flat for another worker and rooms for a maximum of 14 students. The building has library, study room, kitchen and a living room, where we also have lectures. External area is wide, with a nice view of the city, and the place is very accessible.
The People
A diversity of people come to L'Abri for different reasons. Some with personal questions, some as non-Christians wishing to know more, some interested in the Bible, some pursuing a Christian understanding of contemporary culture. Others come to work on theological and philosophical problems. Everyone is welcomed and brings its special contribution to the community.
People stay so much days as they want yet within the limits of each term. The minimum is of 3 days. We recommend longer stays, as it allows a stronger integration with the community and deeper study.
Study
There is no formal curriculum, except by some introductory audio lectures we recommend to every new student. After that, each student will arrange with his tutor an individualized program of reading and hearing lectures. Each week we offer two or three new lectures in the living room.
As L’Abri is quite informal, it is easy to distract yourself from the studies. It is really important that you concentrate and respect the timetable. When hearing lectures or reading texts, you should take notes and try do discuss the subjects at the lunch time, tea time or with your tutor. Try to understand questions from other people so much as your own questions.
Routine (for Terms)
One of the important things in L’Abri is rhythm. Day starts with the breakfast at 8 a.m., followed by the prayer time. After breakfast the morning is divided in two periods, separated by the morning tea.
At 13 p.m. we have the “lunch discussion”, when we seat together and every student has the opportunity to present his own questions for debate.
After a free time (up to 15 p.m.) we have two more times separated by the afternoon tea. One at least is work time (both eventually). You will be invited to help with the maintenance, cleaning up, kitchen or organizing something.
After supper, we have programs four nights per week (lectures/movie discussions/high tea), and the remaining nights are free.
L'Abri is a place for rest and renewing, but not to get isolated. In order to take the highest benefit in L’Abri, it is essential that you get involved with all the activities that compound the local community life, including helping with the work.
RECOMMENDATIONS
To come to L'Abri you should be at least 18 years old.
The area has mobile signal, yet you can use the L’Abri telephone, paying a tax.
As the study is very centred on recorded lectures, it is important that you bring with you your MP3 device, and headphones.
You are allowed to bring your notebook/laptop and other electronic devices, if you are sure it will not interfere in the community dynamics. If you are unsure about that, we strongly recommend you to leave it in your home.
If you are able to play some musical instrument, recite or compose poems, or have any artistic skills, it’ll be a pleasure for all to share that in L’Abri high tea!
L’Abri is located in property down-town Belo Horizonte, in a urban setting. There we have a house, where lives a family of workers, plus a small building which have a flat for another worker and rooms for a maximum of 14 students. The building has library, study room, kitchen and a living room, where we also have lectures. External area is wide, with a nice view of the city, and the place is very accessible.
The People
A diversity of people come to L'Abri for different reasons. Some with personal questions, some as non-Christians wishing to know more, some interested in the Bible, some pursuing a Christian understanding of contemporary culture. Others come to work on theological and philosophical problems. Everyone is welcomed and brings its special contribution to the community.
People stay so much days as they want yet within the limits of each term. The minimum is of 3 days. We recommend longer stays, as it allows a stronger integration with the community and deeper study.
Study
There is no formal curriculum, except by some introductory audio lectures we recommend to every new student. After that, each student will arrange with his tutor an individualized program of reading and hearing lectures. Each week we offer two or three new lectures in the living room.
As L’Abri is quite informal, it is easy to distract yourself from the studies. It is really important that you concentrate and respect the timetable. When hearing lectures or reading texts, you should take notes and try do discuss the subjects at the lunch time, tea time or with your tutor. Try to understand questions from other people so much as your own questions.
Routine (for Terms)
One of the important things in L’Abri is rhythm. Day starts with the breakfast at 8 a.m., followed by the prayer time. After breakfast the morning is divided in two periods, separated by the morning tea.
At 13 p.m. we have the “lunch discussion”, when we seat together and every student has the opportunity to present his own questions for debate.
After a free time (up to 15 p.m.) we have two more times separated by the afternoon tea. One at least is work time (both eventually). You will be invited to help with the maintenance, cleaning up, kitchen or organizing something.
After supper, we have programs four nights per week (lectures/movie discussions/high tea), and the remaining nights are free.
L'Abri is a place for rest and renewing, but not to get isolated. In order to take the highest benefit in L’Abri, it is essential that you get involved with all the activities that compound the local community life, including helping with the work.
RECOMMENDATIONS
To come to L'Abri you should be at least 18 years old.
The area has mobile signal, yet you can use the L’Abri telephone, paying a tax.
As the study is very centred on recorded lectures, it is important that you bring with you your MP3 device, and headphones.
You are allowed to bring your notebook/laptop and other electronic devices, if you are sure it will not interfere in the community dynamics. If you are unsure about that, we strongly recommend you to leave it in your home.
If you are able to play some musical instrument, recite or compose poems, or have any artistic skills, it’ll be a pleasure for all to share that in L’Abri high tea!
DATES & RESERVATIONS
OPEN DATES 2011
Study Terms
13th - 25th January: Summer Short Term.
1st March - 8th April: Summer Term.
9th May - 17th June: Fall Term.
1st September - 14th October: Winter Term.
Theme Weekends
4th - 6th March
1st - 3rd April
13th - 15th May
10th - 12th June
2nd - 4th September
7th - 9th October
1st - 3rd April
13th - 15th May
10th - 12th June
2nd - 4th September
7th - 9th October
Brazilian L'Abri Conference 2011
22nd - 24th July
Acampamento MPC, São Sebastião das Águas Claras, MG
FEES
The cost for staying per night is R$ 55,00 (around 32 USD). Stayings over 10 days have R$ 50,00 per night (around 29 USD). Included are three meals per day, bed (with sheets, blankets and pillow), towels, laundry, study and access to library and L'Abri audio library.
For short-term visitors (up to 9 days), fees are to be paid upon your arrival. For long-term visitors, fees can be paid weekly in advance and the first week is due when you arrive. Please note that payments must be done in Brazilian currency (Real).
BOOKINGS
Reservations for terms and theme weekends through email.
Important Note: when at the immigration, It is essential that you describe yourself as a visitor rather than as a student since we are not a formal educational institution in the eyes of the government.
Further you should have a paper copy of our introductory letter (please email us requesting it), copies of any email correspondence with us, plus a return ticket and proof that you can pay for your stay (i.e., a bank statement, credit cards, etc).
To request a reservation, please send us an email with the following information: Name, Gender, Nationality, Dates of Attendance, Email Address, Phone Number, Medically Diagnosed Food Allergies, and a Brief Biography.
It is important that you make your booking as early as possible, to ensure we have space available.CONTACT
EMAIL: labri.brasil@gmail.com
PHONE NUMBER:
+55 31 25358962 (Guilherme de Carvalho)
PROFILES
Rodolfo A. C. Souza is an International Relations Annalist and a teacher concerned with issues of social transformation, the promotion of a Christian understanding of reality and the flourishing of people by the obedience to Christ's commandments for the personal life and the care of Creation. He is graduated in International Relations (PUC-MG), with an specialisation on Non-profit Management (PUC-MG) and is concluding a Master on Organisational Sociology (UFMG). Founding member of the Kuyper Association (2005), Rodolfo worked with poor communities development and also teaching sociology. He is presbyter at the Buritis Presbyterian Church, a worker of L'Abri Brasil.
Guilherme V. R. De Carvalho is married to Alessandra de Carvalho, father of two girls (Ana Elisa and Helena), and sees his calling as teaching Brazilian Church about the unity of Creation and Gospel, and the comprehensiveness of Christ’s Lordship. He is an ordained baptist pastor (charismatic branch), and formerly professor of theology in a local College, with a grade in Theology (Mackenzie Presbyterian University, São Paulo) masters in Theology (New Testament, from São Paulo Baptist Theological College) and Science of Religion (Theological Hermeneutics, from São Paulo Methodist University). He is also founder and president of Kuyper Association and presently serves as pastor of Igreja Esperança (Hope Church) in Belo Horizonte.
Alessandra de Carvalho is Guilherme’s wife, and mother of Ana Elisa and Helena. She is a Historian (Minas Gerais Catholic University) and MA in Educational Coordination. She worked three years serving poor children, eleven as a church secretary, and helped to start a Christian School were she taught history for some years. She has been also singer and worship leader for eighteen years. She describes her main calling as education and taking care of broken people.
Vanessa Belmonte is a manager now doing a MA in Education Technology. She took part in the efforts to start L'Abri in Brazil and had her own experience at Greatham L'Abri in 2008. Since our beginning she is a close volunteer of L'Abri helping with prayer, accounting, lectures and other activities.
MAP AND DIRECTIONS
Endereço:
Rua HELIOTRÓPIO, 145 - BAIRRO PEDRO II - Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais.
How to Find L'Abri Brasil...
After arriving at Confins International Airport, you have two main options: (1) take a taxi straight to L'Abri (more expensive) or (2) take a coach down-town Belo Horizonte and only there take the taxi (cheaper).
If you decide for the second option, you can take the "Conexão Aeroporto" (a special coach; ask at the information desk) to the final stop, at Álvares Cabral Avenue, or take the line coach to the Belo Horizonte Bus Station. In any case, after getting off the coach, you must to take a taxi to L'Abri. Without traffic, the fees for that taxi should be around R$ 20.
We suggest you to bring the L'Abri address written in a piece of paper showing it to the driver.
Map at googlemaps
NEWSLETTERS
If you want to receive information about L'Abri Brasil regularly, ask for your inclusion in our mailing list sending an email to our address: labri.brasil@gmail.com
