Youth Mission Team

We just wrapped up a whirlwind week of missions involving a youth group from Smyrna, TN. After picking up 28 people at the airport we whisked them right off to work in the favelas of Sao Paulo (Their baggage had the luxury of going home to rest before they did!) They came prepared to minister to hundreds of little kids in three different favelas on that day. The kids were elated to see fresh faces and some even remembered a few who have been here before.
.
This was an awesome group of teens who came ready to give their testimonies, evangelize, sing worship songs, play instruments, teach, and so much more. Several in the group already participate in our Embrace-a-Child Program and were able to spend time with, and love on, the child that they had sponsored throughout the year. Two local public schools opened their doors for the team to visit, play worship songs/sing, and speak English with their students. Bibles were given out, autographs and emails exchanged, and A.M.O. (Feed My Sheep) became known to many, many more at-risk youth in the surrounding areas as a place to go to that accepts them and loves on them.
.
In the favela Agua Branca of Sao Paulo the entire team worked hard to paint and renovate an existing basketball court in the community. The existing court was filthy, beat up, in need of painting, and had no basketball hoops at all. Our gang painted the wall, inside and out, cleaned off the court and surrounding area and included the resident kids in the work. The older guys on the team worked on hanging brand new back boards and metal hoops. A middle-aged woman approached me (Jodi) as the team was working and asked incredulously "aren't you afraid to bring these people in here, into a favela?"! I explained to her that even though she didn't know us the community did as we minister to their children weekly there. The leader [drug leader] himself gave us permission to be there. When all was done they were presented a new basketball and everyone played!
.
In favela Moinho we set up various "stations" and invited the whole community to participate. One station was for evangelism (all that came were evangelized), the next was for donations of clothing/shoes, the next was for hot dogs/drinks, and then there was music and singing for everyone. This was all done under a bridge and next to a heaping pile of garbage and perilous railroad tracks! It was the largest area available to minister to this community of winding, narrow corridors and wooden shacks.
.

Church Service in favela Gleba B

Through the week we ministered in various favelas in Campinas and Sao Paulo. Many on the team had never seen such poverty before and were profoundly impacted by it. Many tears were shed throughout the week after visiting in the homes, hearing about the lives of some of the kids, and knowing that the world doesn't offer much hope for these people. I believe that all of them left here with a passion for these people and a desire to make a difference. As one of the team leaders told the parents back home "You like the person you're sending [their teenager] but you'll love who comes back". It's so true. One after another opened up and shared how they have so much when others have so little and that it would be difficult to go back home and not be impacted by that.
.

So much more happened during the week like digging trenches, clearing out underbrush and serving pizza dinner to our church on the AMO property. I could go on and on. We just want to thank the Lord that all went well this entire week! He is so good!!
.
With love, Pete and Jodi