I’m soaring above the United States right now, reveling in the wonders of modern technology and experiencing in-flight WiFi for the very first time. Whereas long flights used to give me a chance to catch up on praying, reading, or sleeping, now I’m finding myself working.

It’s almost impossible to be disconnected these days. Sometimes I love to see that my Blackberry is devoid of service, but it is getting increasingly difficult to stray far enough off the beaten path to enjoy such peace and isolation from the modern world. Now, for better or worse, I find myself connected to the Internet in a jet some 30,000 feet above the earth. At least it gives me a chance to send out this update.

My last blog post was about my upcoming trip to Brazil. It was an absolutely amazing adventure, and I met some wonderful Brazilian people that I hope to stay in contact with for the rest of my life. One highlight was celebrating Mass with the bishop of Rio de Janeiro in the small chapel that’s located just below “Cristo,” the statue of Jesus that towers above a mountain known as Corcovado. We were there on the 80th anniversary of that magnificent statue. Another highlight was celebrating the feast day of Our Lady of Aparacida with hundreds of thousands of Brazilians. More on this later.

Right now I’m heading home from a double-showing of my new film, If Only We Had Listened, in Antioch, California, near San Francisco. I presented the film in the historic, beautifully-restored El Campanil Theater and answered questions from the audience while standing on a stage that I was later told had once been graced by the likes of Bob Hope and dozens of other famous entertainers. The response to the film was wonderful and very encouraging. Please consider helping Immaculee and I promote the film and spread the message of Kibeho in advance of the upcoming 30th anniversary of the apparitions: November 28, 2011. Anyone can host a screening at a church or theater, and we can help you. Here’s some more information.

Thank you for reading, and God bless.

This evening, I’m flying to Rio de Janeiro, and I will be in Brazil for the next several days.  I was asked to film Immaculee Ilibagiza while she speaks to a crowd of over 100,000 people.  It seems that Immaculee’s message of forgiveness and peace has struck a chord with the Brazilians, and now, although they may not know it, they are also about to learn about Kibeho.

In case you’re not aware, Immaculee is a survivor of the genocide in Rwanda.  Nearly her entire family was killed, and she survived by hiding in a small bathroom with seven other women for 90 days.  She entered the bathroom weighing 115 pounds; when the genocide had ended and she emerged, she only weighed about 60 pounds.

The book she wrote about her experiences, called LEFT TO TELL, became a New York Times bestseller.  Within that powerful book, Immaculee recounts how the power of prayer and faith carried her through unimaginable darkness and despair.

She and I produced a film together, called IF ONLY WE HAD LISTENED, which tells the story of the apparitions of Kibeho and how the Virgin Mary warned about the genocide before it happened.  I have come to learn that although Immaculee’s message of forgiveness is close to heart, she’s happiest when she gets the chance to speak about Our Lady of Kibeho.  The apparitions and messages of Kibeho are constantly on her mind.

In fact, Immaculee is trying to encourage people, including you, to help promote Kibeho by celebrating the upcoming feast day, Nov. 28, 2011, which also happens to be the 30th anniversary of the apparitions.  That date will also be the 10th anniversary of the Vatican’s approval of the first three Kibeho visionaries, Alphonsine, Anathalie and Marie Claire.  More on that later.

Now, as I prepare to go to Brazil, please pray that the people there will not only embrace Immaculee’s story of forgiveness, but also the messages of Kibeho. I will write a follow-up post about my trip after my return.