Missions Trip to Brazil

What we did

When we finally got to Brazil it was such a joy to see the Albuquerques. Lilika is doing good and we got to spend a lot of time with them learning about their ministry there.

That Sunday I got the opportunity to teach the evening Sunday school before the main worship service that night. It was my first time teaching with Tiago as my interpreter. He is truly gifted. I tried to say something that I thought was funny and it was silent…crickets, he then said hold on, translated something and they all laughed. I’m pretty sure they were laughing at me and not with me but I was thankful for the joy!

Our luggage arrived Monday morning right before we were headed to the Pastor’s conference.

I was able to reunite with brothers and sisters that I had met on my last trip to Brazil and it was almost as if I had never left. Their love for us and Christ was so evident and they fully displayed it. I met some new friends that some of you had met before and they told me about stories about the ministry that took place in the past with smiles on their faces. If you have taken a missions trip to Brazil before, you should prayerfully consider going back to encourage our dear brothers and sisters down there.

What did I learn or experience that will change the way I live? What have I learned about my own Christian calling?

By God’s grace, during this trip I was able to meet so many wonderful people and some faithful missionaries who gave up the comforts of the United States to go to a people with a different language and culture, to only proclaim that the Kingdom of God is at hand. What the Lord revealed to me though was that there is so much ministry going on in Brazil. In the north in the south, seminaries being started and accredited, teaching and conferences, and it dawned on me that Brazil is reached.

Is there more to be done for God in Brazil? Yes of course! Is there more need for laborers in Brazil? Yes of course!

But before we left, Pastor Bart encouraged Richie and I to read Piper’s book “Let the Nations be Glad”

In that book, Piper describes what the goal of missions is…the worship of God. That we don’t go because we love the lost, we go because we love God, and because of his love for us and our love for him, we go and preach the gospel in love to the lost. Praying that those that are truly lost sheep will hear their Savior’s voice and come to him.

I have been praying about what missions will look like for my family. I was praying about “where and how” but after reading this book, my questions have changed to “who and why”

The “where” could be anywhere that Jesus isn’t known, that is ultimately in God’s hands to guide us. “How” that is in God’s hands as well. But “who” is what has captured my heart. “Who” will be born, discarded by their ignorant families and shunned by their cold religion, sold and suffering, live and die, without ever hearing the name…Jesus Christ. “Who” will never know that there is a day named “Christmas” and “Easter”, that there is judgment after death, and they will stand before a terrifying and holy God, guilty.

The “Why”…Romans 10:8–15 “But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”” Why? How will they believe in him of whom they have never heard.

Therefore…I’m done praying. I’m not studying Hebrew or Greek, but I am learning Arabic. My heart is being drawn to the Muslim world in North Africa and the Middle East. Pray for us as we try to discern what the next steps are for us as we pursue Christ and his lost sheep.