We had never done anything like this before and were very unsure if we were qualified. We knew we loved the Lord and we had a servant’s heart, but a mission trip? That was a big step! After praying about the opportunity to be a part of the Brazil Mission Trip 2006, we felt like it was the direction that the Lord was urging us to take. We dove into the process and found ourselves blessed every step of the way. It was an incredible feeling to send letters out to friends, family and co-workers and get overwhelming support both financially and in prayer! We were utterly amazed at how God cleared our calendars and provided for this trip. Upon arriving, we were ready to serve and share the gospel and love the women and children of Recife. However, we discovered that we were given a true blessing to realize what it meant to serve the Lord whole heartedly with no distractions, no stress and no anxiety. Moreover, we were loved by the women and children of Brazil in a way we have never experienced before. The Gospel took on new meaning for us and deepened our faith in the Lord by strengthening our bond with one another. We have not arrived; we are simply beginning a new service to our Lord in our continuing journey. We will forever make it a part of our family by returning to Recife to serve as well as pray and support others that are led by His guidance to serve. Even though this trip only lasted a short time in our life, we are irrevocably changed.
- Matt and Amy McClellen

The words from the beautiful hymn “Great is Thy Faithfulness” play over and over as I think of God’s faithfulness in every detail of this STMT from His care of our team to His care of the beautiful people of Brazil. These precious children are eager to receive the outpouring of God’s love. My mind cannot erase the picture of the kids standing by the gate peering in and just waiting for the doors to open so they can come and hear the truth of God’s promises. My life will forever be changed because of the privilege of serving on this trip. There is tremendous blessing that comes with sharing the hope of Christ wherever we are in the world. 
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13
- Toni Meadows

Sacrifice is the one word that sticks in my mind when I think of the volunteers, cooks, missionaries, interpretors, and individuals we met from Brazil! WOW how they taught us that from a culture with limited resources and food, how they wanted us to feel welcome, comfortable, loved, and always to be fed first. Selfish doesn’t fit into their hearts! They certainly taught all of us about always putting others before self! The children desperately crave love and attention and to see their gorgeous smiles and faces light up when they feel important and special is truly a GOD thing! Using the Evangicube was so thrilling for me to share the Gospel with the older group of girls from the orphanage. Once I shared it with them, they immediately went to the younger group and told them as I showed the pictures. To make it even more rewarding, the middle group passed on the “Good News” to the younger group. I was so touched by this experience…all I could say was THANK YOU JESUS! The music was so phenomenal! David, our talented and glorious leader was so inspiring! The first day I complimented and he spoke enough English to say “Never let anyone take away your smile” and he certainly put a room-full of smiles on everyone’s faces and had us singing, clapping, dancing, and working the motions of the songs! What a gift he has and shares it with his entire heart! “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring the good news” Romans 10:15 
- Tammy Crooks

When I let god take over each day and prayed to be small.....God showed me that it was really simple.  We can show love by a simple smile, touch, hug or just hanging out/singing together. Then, we can teach them the basics of God's love by sharing the simple story of the yellow-heaven, black-sin, red-blood, white-clean, & green-grow.  Finally, we get to watch God do his work in the child's heart and their eyes light up & their white teeth smile. You get to see them shine and bless you when they get it and are overjoyed to tell you the Jesus story right back to you.  There is no other blessing you will know that will bring you to your knees in tears!  Thank you God for blessing me!
- Sheri Wickman

Since we were told we could not just say "AWESOME" or "AMAZING," Parker and I will have to resort to different superlatives! Our trip to Brazil was an over-the-top, totally-wow experience in Christ. The needs and open hearts of the Braillian children, women/mothers/grandmothers, pastors, translators, volunteers, and church staff drew us out of our comfort zones and into joyful service. Though we were totally inexperienced, Parker and I found interacting with, playing with, and working with the Brazilians very natural and exhilarating. Having the privilege of serving where we were welcomed wholeheartedly, we both came home more confident that we have much to give toward spreading the gospel and the love of Christ. Volunteers for Christ and this mission experience gave so much more to us than we could ever have given to the Brazilians.
- Lauren Melton & Parker Udstuen

The trip to Brazil was life changing and life focusing. It was humbling to see what can happen when you get out of the way and let God have the wheel. I had to give up "control" (like I can really control anything!) of several things before I left and during the trip, including a very ill father. But God was taking care of that for me. And I learned that my "control" is really meaningless anyway - but God's control is not! And God saw to details of the trip to pave the way and make it easy to go. It is also life focusing when you see God alive and well every day, every minute, and in every situation. We had "God sightings" so many times on the trip and even now that we are back home, my daughter and I continue to have God sightings. And the God sightings were not just in things that happened, but in people - the many people who served us on the trip and in the faces of the children we served. It was miraculous to see so many people working for a common cause without discord and with one purpose and doing it incredibly well despite language and cultural barriers. Having seen that, it makes me focus on my life here at home - to aim for the same open heart, to zeal for God, and to cut out the things that are really so meaningless and unnecessary.
-Cheryl Coon