Personal Reflections from Brazil Team Members

Kim

On this trip, I had to step out of the boat and trust in God to go on this mission trip, to speak in front of the group, to teach the children, etc. Everyday I felt more and more confident in God and what He was doing through me. I have always felt that I was put on this earth for a real purpose. On the mission trip I felt real purpose. I was able to work with kids, adults, and the church. It brought happiness to my heart that I have never felt. It took faith in God and His love to carry me day after day because I was uncomfortable and could no longer do this on my own. Please pray for me.

I can not name my favorite part of the trip because all of it was such a blessing. Even though I couldn’t speak the language it was amazing. The people could see Jesus through my smile. It was as if they could see my heart. I learned that I do have a special gift. It is sharing God’s light through a smile. I can’t wait to return to see my new friends in Brazil. It is so weird because at first I didn’t want to go and now I was the one who didn’t want to come home. I would give back every gift just to spend more time with them. If you have never been on a mission trip you are missing many blessings from God. Mission trips will change your life. I pray that you are given the opportunity to go and you have the faith to follow God and share the gospel with others.

Brittney

As an MK (missionary kid), I translated for about 3 to 5 mission groups a year, but oddly enough this mission trip to Brazil was my first ever international mission trip. I wasn't quite sure how the experience of actually being ON a team would differ from all of my past mission work experience in Brazil, but the difference was huge! I don't know if it was my mind set.. or my heart, but I got something out of this trip that I never experienced or imagined. I played an active role in VBS (I worked with crafts) , and I got to share the plan a salvation with a group of people! I wasn't just a translator... I was part of the team! This trip was also important in just giving me a wake up call. On this trip I realized that I am a big complainer, I don't mean to do it, but it easily becomes a habit. While in Brazil, we worked with and saw families that had nothing.. and they were so happy and content. During VBS we had 60 kids in 100 degree weather crammed into a room that was meant for about 20 children.. with no air conditioning, and I didn't not hear one complaint from the kids. What a lessen to learn.. here compared to these kids I have everything and I complain all the time. I had a wake up call.. to appreciate what i have, b/c i have So MUCH to be thankful for!

Debbie Shoupe

I was able to be in brazil because have a christian husband who supports me and encourages me and even takes vacation to baby-sit for me and take on my responsibilities without complaining. this week was unbelievable. i 've never felt so welcome and so loved in such a short while. we all believe and serve the same God. What did i like the best-- the list is too long! I hope i can show the love of God like brazilians do.

Kenda

When I first heard about a mission trip to Brazil Dave and I were all over it. We were very excited about potentially going, and had hopes to see our 2 compassion children that we sponsor that live in Sao Paulo. Our plan (not God's) was for the whole family to go. The only thing standing in our way was thousands of dollars. But one at a time our kids decided not to go and we questioned going ourselves. Our business was having a particularly bad year, we had two other trips planned around the mission dates, Zak had a 3 day college soccer prospects camp to attend in Akron while we would be in Brazil and I was not comfortable leaving him for that. But with all those issues we still decided to go. It was a once in a life time opportunity that we could not pass up. So we trusted God with all of our issues and doubts and signed up

But God is good...

The experience we have had these past 9 days is almost impossible to describe for the inexperienced to understand. Danny and Leann had always talked about the love and friendliness of the Brazilians, but until you experience it you will never understand. To experience a worship service in another culture, in another language, but with the same love shinning on their faces moved me to tears. These people loved God and it showed. They sang so loud with faces beaming, and some could not hit a single note...but they didn't care.
I'm sure you've read the VBS numbers...a great miracle. 12 Americans running VBS for 250 kids who speak a different language!!! But there are many more miracules stories to be told.
Two personal stories:
At a home worship service, I met a teenager who was good looking, well built and athletically gifted. He was a skateboarder and was very good. We got to talking about the X-games and I told him that I might see him there one day. His reply? "Only if it is to bring glory to God." Wow!! Here is a kid who had it all going from the worlds point of view...great looks and lots of talent. But his many purpose in life was to bring glory to God!!
At another home worship service we went to the home of a man who I fell in love with fast...he loved soccer. He had a brother-in-law that he had been trying to get to church for 7 years. He invited him to atteind the home service but did not expect him to come. But because of all the excitement from the children who attended VBS he came and heard the gospel. He was very moved and I know a seed was planted...a seed that was made possible by 12 Americans willing to take the gospel to the world.
I now have hundreds of new friends that, if I never see again, I know I will see in heaven, and I won't need an interpreter to speak to them...I can't wait!!!!
Kenda

Dave Moss

It is cool when you can look back and see God's work. This trip, these experiences, lives touched, friends made, and the good news of Jesus Christ told. None of these things would have happened if God had not directed the Rollin's family to take a leap of faith and move their family to Brazil years ago. Because of their faith in following their calling. Great things were done for God (then and now). Churches started, friends made, relationships made, language and culture were learned. Then they were called to us at RHBC. Little did I know when they came to our church I would feel called to Brazil too. When this trip was proposed their was much excitement in our church and then the group got smaller and smaller almost to the point we could not go. There were many reasons not to go for Kenda and I. Too expensive, not enough information about what we would be doing, too much time away from our business, too much time away from our family. All justifiable reasons not to go to Brazil. But their was one reason to go, the same reason the Rollin's went to Brazil so many years ago....God told us to go. (Pretty good reason!) In the past week I have done things I thought I could or would never do. I made friends with people I could hardly understand, experienced a culture totally different than my own, pushed my self out of my comfort zone, and grew as a Christian. We saw great things done because God was with us...Who ever thought we would have over 250 kids at VBS 3 days in a row! All ran by a hand full of people who said yes to God's call. At one of pre-trip meetings Danny said we would have to be flexible. With Gods help we bent but did not break. My hope and prayer is that this is not the end of this story. I hope to go back and see my new friends. I hope our church will return to Brazil. With God's help and blessing I and we will.

Brandi Shoupe

On this trip, I've learned 2 very important lessons:

The first is that we all have something to give. At home, I always feel like I don't have a lot to offer becuase I'm not a talented musician, singer, or speaker. This trip has helped me realize that it is most important that we give of ourselves-- our time, love, and compassion.

Second, throughout the week, we were overwhelmed by the number of kids at the VBS each day. When counting crafts, etc. I often thought to myself "why can't God do a loaves and fishes thing?". And while as far as I know He din't multiply the crafts, but He did feed the multitude! What amazed me as that there were always enought hands to help. No matter the chaos and disarray, we always had enough Americans and Brazilian helpers and interpreters to get everything done. All of this that "we" accomplished was not our worry, it was God's.