Summary

Here is a short summary video of building the church and the mission team going out into community.

Wednesday - Church Dedication

Since we had finished the construction, we had the whole morning to go out into the community to witness and invite people to the dedication tonight.

Myself, Jim, Liz (mission team member and translator), and Robert headed out in one group. As we approached a small house, a girl in her 20´s came out to the fence. Her house was very pretty with many plants and flowers around it. Jim introduced himself and asked if she knew who Jesus was. She said she had heard of him. He explained what Jesus did for us on the cross. He went on to ask if she had ever told a lie...any kind..small or big. She kinda smiled and said, "Yes." He said that he had too. He then asked her if she had ever stole anything. She hesitated then kinda shook her head no. Jim admitted that at sometime in life, he had stole. Jim explained that God´s Word says that if we break even one of these commandments then we have broken all of them. We prayed with the woman and she received Christ as her savior.

Another house we came upon had a older boy (maybe 15) watching his younger brother (about 2 years old) while the parents were out working. We talked with him for a little while and then decided to give him one of the soccer balls we brought. The gift lit up his eyes and brought a smile. Later as we came back down his street on the way back, he and his brother were playing with it on the porch of their house. It is amazing how such small things that I know I take for granted can bring a little bit of joy in another's life.

We had dinner around 6pm tonight and then went to the church dedication. As we turned the corner in the bus, we could see the church lit up with its new lights. People were already pouring into the church with many more seen walking down the street towards it. This is always the best part of the mission trip. We get to fellowship with the Brazilians we have been working with all week, plus we see many new faces. The church filled up quickly with many having to stand outside and look in through the windows. The Americans and the Brasilians each led some worship, then we joined to sing "Shout to the Lord" together. A few gave testimonies and then the Gospel was presented. It is amazing to think that just 4 days ago this was just a concrete slab. But tonight it is a church building with walls, a roof, lights, a congregation, the Word of God was being spoken in it and people were responding.

We think there was around 200 people in the church and maybe another 200 outside of the church. It was a great time of worship and excitement to see people led to the Lord tonight. After the dedication ceremony was over, we had to load up on a bus and drive back to Fortaleza. It is always a hard and emotional time to get on that bus and wave good-bye, even though we know we will all be reunited someday.

Third Day of Work

The third day, Tuesday, was a milestone for this mission project. We were able to finish all of the brick and all of the roof today. We normally spend another half-day working. Because this project has moved along so swiftly, we were able to spend a lot of time in the community today. We gave away 18 soccer balls today..they are a big hit in Brazil. During lunch today, I was able to share some of my testimony with the mission team. I told of my salvation in December 1997 and how God has led me to the mission field. Dean also shared about how he got in touch with CMU. In his initial talks with CMU, he found that one of his good friends in Missouri had been sending teams with CMU for about 10 years.


After dinner tonight, we were invited to attend the worship service of another congregation that meets about 5 miles from here. They meet three times a week on land a lady had donated. The Brasilians were excited to know that we would attend. When we got there, we were welcomed as family. They were so kind and welcoming. They led the worship on a beautiful cool night under the stars. Chris Conolly, our construction leader, gave his testimony. This was the 57th church that he has had the privilidge to build with CMU. Also, Dave shared a brief testimony with the Brazilians letting them know that if Jesus is their savior, then we are all part of the same family. One of our team members, a pastor from a Florida church, preached the Word and led the invitation. During the invitation, two young adult sisters came forward...both crying. They were giving their hearts and lives to the Lord. After they came forward, their mother spoke briefly. She told of how she had a dream after she, herself, had given her heart to the Lord and in that dream all of her family came to know Jesus as their savior. Also, we were told that she is the lady that had donated the land for all of this to happen. Doesn't God work in miraculous ways. We hope that this congregation will be able to get a church built for them also to further share the Word of God in this community.


Wednesday is our last day here in Limoeiro do Norte. We will clean up in the morning, go out and share with the community and also do some prayer walking. Tomorrow night we will have our dedication ceremony. Please be praying for this. We hope that many will show up and respond to the Gospel. After the service we will travel by bus back to Fortaleza...3 hours.


Praises: Construction was completed, two women accepted Christ as Savior, beautiful weather in Brazil, God has protected us and kept us healthy.




Prayers: We will have divine opportunities in the community tomorrow, many will respond to the Gospel, safety as we travel to Fortaleza.

Second Day of Work

Monday was another beautiful day for building a church. The weather has been cool, cloudy, and overcast with a gently breeze. Dean and Dave were able to get the roof 3/4 completed. By the end of the second day, the brick was also 3/4 done. Our translator noted that this was one of the fastest churches he has seen built.

It has been amazing to see how all the team members from California, Texas, Alabama, and Florida use their God given gifts to build this church. Some of the team has never laid brick before, but it sure didn't keep them from trying.

Duing our lunch break, Helena gave her testimony based the Prayer of Jabez. It is neat the hear how God has been influential in each of our lives. After her prayer, Chuck Conner, founder of CMU, shared a story. He said one time a man working on one of the churches made an amazing conclusion. He said, "When I am up on a ladder laying brick, I am building a building. But when I am playing with kids, I am building a church." How right he is. It is about the relationships we build and the love we share that builds the church.

During our time out in the community inviting people to the church dedication, we came across a woman who was in definite emotional distress. She was dealing with many family issues and wanted us to pray over her. She was very greatful that we took the time to pray with her. Our translator, Winston, told us that our presence alone here in Brazil can be very powerful. He told us a story where a girl who came to a church dedication many years ago had been led to Christ due to missionaries presence in Brazil.

First Day of Work

Post by Brant Marston

Sunday was our first day of work. We headed out to the work site around 7:30 am. When we arrived, there was a foundation laid and supports for a roof. Our mission is to brick all of the outside walls and put on the roof. After a time of prayer, most of us began laying brick while Dave and Dean were busy putting on the roof. The roof is important in the beginning, because it provides shade to lay the brick.

During the lunch break, we shared testimony among the mission group and then we went out into the community. This was a great time to meet the Brasilians, pray for them and invite them to the church dedication ceremony on Wednesday night. On this day, we even had the opportunity to share about Christ with a gentleman.

The weather was very nice today. We were able to make significant progress on the walls and roof of the church. We finished work for the day at 4 pm and then had dinner back at the hotel.

Helena and Jill laying brick

Sunday night, we went to the church service at the 2nd Igreja Batista (Baptist Church)...this is the congregation that we are building the church for. They meet in a garage that can barely hold all of its members. We had an awesome time of worship. Their congregation even sang us a special song. The mission team lead one worship song, "Shout to the Lord." I was asked to share a little bit of my testimony with the church. To try and connect with the people, I shared a few sentences in Portuguese and then I used our translator. Chuck Conner, the man who founded CMU mission organization, give a short, but powerful invitation. Two ladies came forward and accepted Chirst as their savior.

This is the garage where congregation currently meets

Worship service with congregation in their garage on Sunday night

Praises: God got each of us here safely, significant progress was made on the building, two ladies accepted Jesus as savior

Prayer: Protect each of us with safety at the work site, give each of us strength to endure the physical work, speak through us in our testimonies to reach the people of Limoeiro

Mission Team Arrives in Brasil

Post by Brant Marston


This is the first post to our mission trip blog and what an experience it has already been. During my three days in Manaus Brazil, I stayed with a friend and learned firsthand about the life and culture of the people. Due to rainy weather on Wednesday and the long travel, I was not able to attend the church service of the church we built last year, but I have a new respect for my friend who has been teaching the youth there. Since we built that church last year, he has been traveling two times a week, which each visit consists of 4 different bus transfers, 2 hours travel(one-way), and approximately $20 US. On Friday night, I met up with the rest of the team from FBC Wichita Falls. We made made it Limoeiro do Norte on saturday and got settled in our hotel.

Mission Trip Details

I, Brant, will be traveling to Manaus, Brasil on Tuesday the 17th. I will be staying with our translator that worked with our team last year. I hope to be able to attend the church service on Wednesday of the church we built last year.

On Friday the 20th, Dean, Jim, Helena, Dave and Jill will begin their trip to Brasil. I will meet them at the airport in Manaus and head off to Fortaleza, Brasil. From there, it will be a 3 hour drive to Limoeiro do Norte where we will be working this year.

Our group of 6 from Wichita Falls, will be joined by two other groups from Florida and California.

Praises: That God has brought us this far.
Prayers: That God would protect us as we travel and keep us healthy for the mission trip.