We Loved Brazil

We went to Brazil expecting to be a blessing to others.  We probably were a big help, but the people we met in Brazil blessed us more than we could have ever imagined.  Being there in the jungle, playing with the kids, working hard, ministering to others, playing soccer, falling out of hammocks, being bit by bugs, failing at Portuguese, making bricks, being hot and sweaty, swimming across a river, and getting to know people, were all things on this trip that I will remember and cherish for the rest of my life.  Thank you to everyone for your prayers! - Ryan Morrisett

I loved being in Brasil. It was unbelievable how much the Christians there loved us even though they didn't know us. And that made us want to express our love for them so much more. They were so happy and grateful for what God had given them, and they didn't have a lot. So you can imagine their excitement when we would bring them things like clothes and shoes. And especially the kids, they went crazy when they found out we had toys for them. They cherish every little thing. I miss the Brasilian children and I will always remember what God allowed us to do. I'm so thankful that God gave me the opportunity to go to Brasil. And I thank you all for your prayers and support. - Ethan Rehrig

The trip just showed me how blessed I am and that I take so many things for granted. God has blessed me so that I can bless others.This trip just made me realize that I don't have to go to another country to bless others. I can do it right here in OKC. I hope and pray that God allows me to go on yet another mission trip. I want to thank all the people who sponsored me and thank all the team members for the wonderful time I had! God Bless!  - Tate Bullard

God Knew

God knew what He was doing when He brought seventeen seemingly random people together for a two week stint in the heart of Brazil. Fifteen days that I will never forget, sixteen people I will always love, and not one thing I would go back and change. Thank you to all who gave, thank you to all who prayed and thank you Father, most of all, for allowing us to share in your sovereign plan for the Gospel to go forth to all nations. Praising God for the seeds that were planted... - Lacey Hendrickson

I know without a doubt that God orchestrated every detail of our Brazil trip.  From the canceled flights and twelve hour layovers, to the mosquito bites and falling hammocks.  He knew from the beginning what we would experience on this trip, and while we do not know all the reasons behind those experiences, I am confident they were for our good and His glory.  The best thing about this trip, for me, was watching the students as they poured their lives into all that they did for those two short weeks.  I was continually impressed with their dedication and encouraging attitudes as we faced our work.  What an example they were to me!  I know that trips like this can change lives and perspectives.  I pray that God continues to bring the memories of this time back to our minds as He uses it to mold all of us into the person He wants us to be.  - Tara Rehrig

We had a great...sometimes almost overwhelming...time with the team of 17 people from Christian Heritage Academy in Oklahoma City area.  They were with us for 10 days.  God sent with them some really special young people and school staff, one of the boys who just graduated from high school was Jordan Bowen.  He was so incredibly talented with children and getting them to imitate him in action songs.  Mercy, I wanted to keep him forever.  He is planning to enroll in a Baptist seminary and become a pastor like his father. He´ll be a good one.  One of the young single teachers was Glory Yocum.  She attracted kids to her arms like honey does bees. I had never seen anything like that before as she, and several other girls, would go to a new area and within minutes almost be smothered by children obviously wanting love.  Glory!!!  She walked around with tears in her eyes almost constantly and muttering, "I´ll never be the same again!"

We went to one entirely new and different area of town where we had never been before.  Wagner, with his megaphone, went around around through the poor shacks and down the alleys announcing the meeting.  Over 120 kids and adults came to the soccer field where the team did its presentation and I had the opportunity once again to tell the old, old story of Jesus and His death on the Cross for them. 

We spent two nights five hours by boat up the river at a settlement called Pucallpa (like the city in Peru) and the church there was packed both nights and we were busy speaking at local schools during the day.  Yesterday the team left and they are all back in Oklahoma now...and we are still glowing like those glow sticks they brought down for the kids!!  - Duane Howe

More Thoughts

I am continually amazed how God orchestrates events.  He selected 17 people out of 360 or so individuals to go spend 15 days in Brazil.  It was an amazing collection of individuals.  The funnest part for me was to be able to step back a little bit and watch each individual serve the Lord.  They each worked very hard, had great attitudes and loved on the children.  I was blessed to be with the other 16 individuals. 

Greatest memory has to be the 2 nights sleeping in hammocks in the village and the hike along the river.  I still start laughing when I reflect on the many different funny things that happened during each of those times.

Thanks for a wonderful trip.  - Troop Bullard

The two weeks I spent in Brazil were incredible!  It was my first time to go on a mission trip out of the country and it changed my life.  The Brazilian people inspired a passion within me to do mission work, especially with kids, when I graduate from college.  My favorite part was helping with VBS because we got to spend time loving the kids.  Even though there was a language barrier we could see the joy on their smiling faces when we would play and try to talk with them.   Thank you God for planning each step and bringing open-hearted people across our path.  I’m ready to go back! Love, Lauren Winslow The trip was so great, I experienced God in so many different ways. The things we did and the smiles we saw, and the seeds we planted were what we were there to do. God has blessed the home team tremendously. Thanks guys for supporting us.  -Marci Newman

As We Remember

I had 2 thoughts this trip.  First, Isaiah 52:7 - "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news."  I loved watching the reactions of the Brazilians as the Gospel was preached.  The were truly grateful to have the opportunity to hear about what Christ had done for us.  Second, the song How Great Thou Art.  It is truly a beautiful country, and I just marvel at everything that God has done.  - Tony Merrell

I think one of the biggest things I learned was that the limitations I think I have are not really all that I can do, especially with God. Everything that I thought I couldn't do, everything that I never would have imagined myself doing; only God knows my true limits. Everything from the hundreds... or thousands... of insects, the heat, the food, the restrooms, the shower (or lack thereof), the airplane cancellations, all of those things are things that I never would have overcome without God. I truly began to see what the real meaning was behind: In God all things are possible. It was the most brutal, most wonderful, and most amazing trip of my life, and I will never be the same again.  - Jordan Crosslin

I will remember...tears filling my eyes at the seemingly oddest moments...totally moved by the Spirit of God as I witnessed His working and His incomprehensive, uncontainable love.  God is LOVE...and oh how He loves the little children of the world...all over the world.  To be offered the incredible privilege of sharing His love with those with whom we couldn't even speak the same language was so eye opening and moving to me...truly revealing that God's love reaches beyond all language barriers!

I will remember...the missionaries who have given their lives to move out of all modern-day conveniences in order to minister to tribal people in the jungle; their zeal for the Gospel is life changing.

And oh - the jungle - I will remember the jungle!  God used our Brazilian guide who only spoke Portuguese to speak to me in a profound way on a path I would have never "chosen" to take.  Praise God that His timing is perfect - and that His path in our lives (even when marked with difficulty) is one that will always take us to places we may never have dreamed we would go, and it is He Who gives the grace and strength to do so, and the joy of His presence as He meets us there.  - Glory Yocum

Some of our Thoughts

"The memories are unforgettable and will remain with me as long as I live!  I pray that the seed we planted in the hearts of each child will continue to grow until God's mission is finally accomplished!"  - Kristen Copeland

“People ask what my favorite thing about Brazil was. I simply reply – just being there. Just being in a different culture, seeing different faces, and most of all using that time to do the work of the Lord was great. The next question is so when do you head back? I say as soon as possible! Haha, I’ll never forget when a girl from the orphanage gave me a kiss on the cheek just because I talked to her and gave her a small bracelet and some candy. I also will never forget how amazing it was to hear the worship songs I usually sing in America sung in a totally different language. It is overwhelming how blessed we were with great weather, missionaries, resources, and a great team. A big thanks goes to God, Who provided so perfectly, and also thanks to our five adult sponsors for taking the time to go with us.” - Madison Baste

"My favorite experience was going to all the VBS with the kids. Getting to know them was great and teaching them what we knew about God and the Bible was one of the coolest things about the trip. Trying to communicate with them and teach them games and songs was a challenge, but it was fun to see them try to figure out what we wanted them to do.The soccer games were fun too! I miss all the little guys and girls already and wish we could have spent one more day with them."  - Karch Bullard

       

We're home!

We've made it home!  Thank you friends and family for all your prayers, encouragement and support!  The Lord did amazing work over the last two weeks.  We've had the opportunity to grow closer to Him and His heart.  There have been many lessons learned and many more to come as we reflect on all that has happened.  We thank Him for giving us the endurance to complete His work with excellence.  And we recognize that the glory of all that we accomplished goes to Him and Him alone.  Thank you for being a part of our adventure.  Praise the Lord, from whom all blessings flow!

*Please check back for some additional sharing in the days to come.  : )

Jungle Days

As we clean, pack and prepare to fly out, we want to share with you some pictures of our last three days in the jungle.  Stories will be coming as we spend our layover hours in the airports ahead of us. 

What an adventure this has been!

Before our four and a half hour boat ride to the village.

Jordan preparing to preach through Duane's interpretation.

VBS - We had close to 200 hundred kids for three hours. 

There teachers took the day off when they knew we were coming!

Beautiful faces, precious souls.

Dinner?

We learned four people is too many for a canoe.  Our poor guide!

Hammocks and mosquito nets all around!  We did not get much sleep in these things.

More VBS!

Our jungle souvenir - mosquito bites!