The Reality Based Mission Trip

Well, we just finished hosting another mission team from the States. It was our 4th team from Graystone Church USA in just 13 months. And, as with all the other trips with Graystone this past year, it was a great success. We absolutely LOVE hosting teams from Graystone. 

In my mind the thing that has set the Graystone Church Teams apart is that they truly have a heart for furthering the Gospel by serving the mission that's already happening- rather than coming-in with their own agenda. That makes a HUGE difference for us here on the field because they're actually helping us further the ministry rather than coming-in to do something different than what’s already taking place.  

That may not sound like that big of a deal to you but, as a missionary, it’s what’s makes all the difference between a successful trip and one that’s more of a burden to the mission. So, thank you Graystone!

Here's some of the Graystone Team, along with a couple of i3C translators. They're getting the
shoeboxes that were sent from Graystone Church prepared for the kids at the orphanages.

The reason I called this blog post “The Reality Based Mission Trip” is because we had a smaller team than normal and it resembled more of what we do when we’re here by ourselves. Rather than the typical mission trip where we do something with a huge team (i.e., 20 mission team members plus 10-15 translators) this Graystone Team only consisted of 5 members and we only had, on average, 5-10 translators from our church each day.

Here's the Team that Graystone sent.-Melissa, Lauren, Brittany, Brie and Tyler: )

So, with the team being significantly smaller, it resembled what it typically looks like when we minister in the orphanages or at Patrick’s Place when we’re by ourselves (without a visiting mission team), and it was more ‘realistic' to what our day-to-day ministry really is. 

This team also experienced a lot of the “drama" that most other teams miss out on. All the cultural challenges, weather events and the usual difficulties that we typically face on a daily basis at the orphanages and in the city was experienced by this team- which, to me, was great!

With this team we didn't have all the flawless events that ran so smooth that it made everyone want to move to the mission field, no. This team experienced the struggle that our family faces on a daily basis as we endeavour to proclaim the Gospel and bring hope to all the children/teenagers that we minister to here in Brazil. 

We still had great events and solid ministry took place- but it was a struggle. We had to really focus and push through all the challenges that the enemy was throwing at us to be able to minister to the kids. And we did it!

 I think that this team really got to see and experience firsthand what it looks like to be missionaries here in Southeast Brazil. And, even though it was tough, I think that each team member would tell you that it was totally worth the struggle. To be able to look at one of these children in the eyes, hug them, hold them and give them love… man, there’s nothing like it. To be able to share the Gospel and strengthen a child's faith in Christ, despite their circumstances, is something that any difficulty we face pales in comparison to. 

One of the girls from Lar Herminia showing off her new manicure that the team just gave her.

You see, to know that we have the only ‘true hope in the world’ is a huge responsibility. And even though there will be flawless ministry events that take place and even though there will be times of great ease as we minister- we’ve got to remain determined to proclaim the truth of the Gospel even when it’s tough. When everything in you wants to just throw up your hands and say, “forget this!”… we’ve got to keep on doing what we do. And this team from Graystone did just that. They remained strong and we furthered the mission. We furthered the Gospel. We fulfilled what God wanted to happen this past week. And all the children we encountered will never be the same. Thanks Graystone: )

Love Ya,

Jim and MJ

PS- I'll be posting another blog tomorrow with the day-to-day activities and a bunch of pics: )