In January 2020 I had the pleasure of helping lead several other Americans on a trip to Brazil to provide free English courses for Brazilians. During our trip we met at a school Monday through Friday and spent some time prior to the trip in preparation, registering, and interviewing the students to determine their English levels.
Like any mission trip that most have been on, I was nervous ahead of time, especially with this being my first trip teaching English. What did I know about teaching others English?! But God used each of us and replaced the uneasiness with a sense of fulfillment and reward. Just being available and willing is all He expected.
As each day went on, we grew closer to our students as we experienced their joy in learning English. It was quite an experience! We met before and after each of the classes with the students to sing American songs in English and for them to get to know us, their teachers.
On the last day of the group meetings with all of the students, Pastor Ron shared that the most important reason we made the journey was to share the love of Christ. Many accepted Christ on the last day, which made everything worth it.
I had visited Brazil a couple months before our January trip to work on logistics such as finding a school, hotel, transportation, etc. During the school visit, the Principal led our tour with JP (our Brazilian leader/translator/friend) to introduce us to students and to see the school. I took a photo or two with some of the students, sitting next to a girl named Fabryna in one. Well, Fabryna ended up as one of my students during our trip and is one of those who accepted Christ! God had it all planned out!
That’s how God works! Isn't it great when all we do is make ourselves available and God does the rest? When we make ourselves available and willing to do what He has called us to do, we see God working through us and all around us. This may be going on a mission trip or something closer to home.
If you'd like to join our next Brazil mission team or find out more about other mission opportunities, please contact the Global Impact Ministry at Crossroads Church.