Our first day in the community of Itaobim was very humbling. The Brazilians are extremely hospitable and genuinely happy people. We were welcomed everywhere we went.
The team split up into four groups: two evangelized in different parts of Itaobim and two worked on construction projects in Itinga. In Itaobim, the groups went door to door meeting and praying with families while inviting them to the local evening church service. We greeted everyone we saw with a cheerful "Bom Dia!" Both groups passed out leaflets to the community members that shared a short message on Jesus' love. We were joined along the way by various members of the local church who helped us pass out the leaflets. Many Brazilian families invited us into their homes and offered us cafe (coffee) and snacks although they had very little to spare. In addition to door to door evangelizing, both groups visited schools in Itaobim. Emily A. and Serah W. gave their testimonies and Steve M. and David V. preached to the children.
The other two groups did construction in Itinga. They started various projects today that will be finished to the best of the teams' ability before we leave. The first team's project was refurbishing a widow's house. The second team's project was to turn a part of a daycare into a bakery to support their missions to care for the kids in the area. Thom S., leader of one of the construction teams, said, "It was very good to see the Milwaukee and Bristol teams come together and bond. Today the team members were relentless in their labor, they worked hard and did it with great joy. It was exciting to see them not only complete some tough jobs like ripping off a clay roof and knocking down block walls, they also took many opportunities to connect with locals by building relationships with them. Personally I was impressed with my brothers and sisters today, they were steadfast and compassionate in all that they did."
This evening there were three church services held at local churches. Two were in Itaobim and the other one was in Itinga. David V. and Josh G. preached in Itaobim and Mark G. preached in Itinga. After the sermons we distributed gifts to the children. They were over-joyed.
Today was a very eye opening and humbling day. Tomorrow one group will be going to an elderly home, another will be going to another school to talk to the children about Jesus, and the construction groups will be continuing their projects. Tchau!
To be continued...
Serah Washington & Emily Allen
The team split up into four groups: two evangelized in different parts of Itaobim and two worked on construction projects in Itinga. In Itaobim, the groups went door to door meeting and praying with families while inviting them to the local evening church service. We greeted everyone we saw with a cheerful "Bom Dia!" Both groups passed out leaflets to the community members that shared a short message on Jesus' love. We were joined along the way by various members of the local church who helped us pass out the leaflets. Many Brazilian families invited us into their homes and offered us cafe (coffee) and snacks although they had very little to spare. In addition to door to door evangelizing, both groups visited schools in Itaobim. Emily A. and Serah W. gave their testimonies and Steve M. and David V. preached to the children.
This evening there were three church services held at local churches. Two were in Itaobim and the other one was in Itinga. David V. and Josh G. preached in Itaobim and Mark G. preached in Itinga. After the sermons we distributed gifts to the children. They were over-joyed.
Today was a very eye opening and humbling day. Tomorrow one group will be going to an elderly home, another will be going to another school to talk to the children about Jesus, and the construction groups will be continuing their projects. Tchau!
To be continued...
Serah Washington & Emily Allen
