May 11, 2004

An American Teen in Brazil

When we went to Brazil in March, we took with us my brother Daniel and his wife Emily, and also a teen from our church--Shanna Riddle. They helped us for put on a week-long program for the Missionary Kids during a Baptist Mid-Missions conference there.

I recently asked Shanna to write for us a summary of her time in Brazil, giving her impressions and thoughts about her trip. I want to share with you what she wrote:

What You Get When You Mix A Teen And A Missions Trip To Brazil

When Andrew and Tassie was giving a talk at our church—I don’t quiet remember when but it was sometime around the beginning of the school year—they said that they would be going down to Brazil in March, and that if anyone wanted to go with them, just ask. I thought to myself that it would be great if I could go but it seemed impossible.

The next few weeks I kept up with what Andrew and Tassie were doing and when they were going, and it just happened to be the same time I was out of school for spring break. So I prayed about it, “God if you want me to go down there.. you would have to make a way for me” I saw His hand move in the next few months and before I knew it I was on a plane to go down to Brazil.

God worked it out perfectly so that I could go and help Daniel, Emily, Andrew, and Tassie with VBS down there for a conference Baptist Mid-Missions was having for all the missionaries in Brazil. Going there was my first plane ride and really the first time I was away from everyone in my family. I was completely out of my comfort zone and was open to anything God had for me.

My first impression of Brazil was “woooww.. this place is beautiful!!”. We met with John Greening (the conference speaker) and some others and started our way toward the hotel.

When we arrived at the hotel, I wasn’t very talkative, because I was very sick. Riding in an airplane and then a van on a bumpy road, I was not a happy camper. After a little bit of rest, however, I made my way down to meet with the missionaries.

During the day, we helped with VBS, I helped a lady named Rebeca. We were with the younger kids (age 2, 3, and 4s). The kids were a delight to teach. Some of them had trouble with speaking English and Portuguese. They would start the sentence in English and finish in Portuguese.

During the food time, I had a great time of fellowship with all kinds of missionaries from every part of Brazil. When I saw one of them eating by them selves I went up and asked if I could sit down with them. I asked them a lot of questions, like, how did God called them to the mission field, why did they believe God wanted them in Brazil, and what they did to help the ministry in Brazil. I came away from the meals more knowledgeable of how God worked in a lot of their lives.

At night after we practiced our puppet skits, my roommate and I would go to some of the MKs rooms. I would ask them questions, and they would tell me stories about being on the mission field. From my few days of being there, I fell in love with the work the people were doing in Brazil.

After our jobs were completed with the conference and VBS was over, we spent some time out on the town. The people at the hotel were friendly enough but I wanted to see if everyone was like that. And sure enough they were. They people there are so kind and friendly. The only thing I regret from the trip is not being able to experience the life of the Brazilians more. I got to hear some stories about it and met with the people a little bit. But I didn’t get the whole experience of being with Brazilians and working next to them. Being with the missionaries was great, don’t get me wrong. But I wanted to be out where the people were, and get to know the cultural more.

But alas we only spent a few days in Brazil actually out-and-about getting to see the sites. But in that little time I fell in love with the country and with the people.

God opened the door for me to go to Brazil and He has shown me the future He has for them in the hearts and lives of the MKs there. But also He has shown me a glimpse of the plans He has for me in my life. I feel as though God placed me there for a reason. I heard the need that Brazil has, and I am ready to answer the call of God to go down there, if that be in His will. I am sure if that is what He wants me to do then He will provide a way, just as He did when I went down there in March. Ever since the day I came back I can’t stop thinking about it. I want to go back, get the full experience of being with the people, and maybe go back for a much longer stay. The trip was a great eye opener for me and in what God has for me. I can only say by the grace of God was I allowed to go, and by the grace of God will I get to go back.

Shanna Riddle

Posted by Andrew on May 11, 2004 11:20 AM.

Comments

Posted by: Ja Duncan at May 11, 2004 4:44 PM

Posted by: Rita at May 12, 2004 9:29 AM