| Rio de Janeiro Medical Mission Trip: Sept. 26 - Oct. 5, 2008 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Our primary purpose in going to Brazil is to tell the lost about Jesus Christ and meet physical needs. Ours is a medical mission trip. This is the ninth year we have gone to Rio. The team consists of both medical and non-medical members. They conduct a weeklong medical clinic in a Baptist church in one of the very low income parts of the city, as well as doing street and door-to-door evangelism. This year, our clinic will be at the First Baptist Church of Vila Kennedy; the same location as last year.
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* Patients/Extractions
2008 Rio de Janeiro Medical Mission Trip Team New Reflections will be added each day during the mission. My Brazil experience has been so great, and the best way to express this is I would come back next week if I could. I feel like my blessings far exceed the effort and time I spent this week. I have received many medals and awards in my lifetime (Power Lifting World Championship, National Championships, and many state championships), but the medal and certificate I received Friday at the Celebration meant more than any of the others. I feel that this has been great team work. The Sunday service filled my heart. How wonderful these people are! -- Joe Cummins It's always so hard for me to condense my week in Rio into something I can share that makes sense to anyone except me and yet I know that God wants to show me something new in this process. As I think about all of the devotions as well as the experiences I had this week. I realize what a loving God we serve. By giving me daily rewards like leading someone to the Lord, worshipping with the Brazilians in church, and working and laughing with this amazing team. He is not only giving me a hunger for my heavenly reward, He is giving me a taste. How wonderful to know that this is not the end!! -- Leslie Jones Just as we were saying goodbye, an elderly man hugged us and then pointed to his new glasses. He hugged us again and started to cry. He turned away and walked out of the church gates so we couldn't see him cry. He was forever changed by this team and the power of Christ in us! -- Beth and David Parker Last year in the clinic I met the sweetest lady. She was in one of my evangelism groups. When it came time for "the closer" she gave a heartfelt testimony/appeal. After she got her glasses, she asked me for my EvangeCube. I told her to come back Friday after the clinic and I would give it to her. She was there, eager and thrilled to have a new evangelism tool for her and her church. We e-mailed once and that was that. On Monday she was in line to come to the clinic. We recognized each other immediately and hugged, but she just cried and cried and cried. I really didn't understand why all the tears. And now for the rest of the story (or whatever Paul Harvey says)... On Wednesday she brought me a letter in broken English. "I want to talk a little about me so that you meet me better." Condensed version... "I am a happy person by nature. I have had many problems and God has helped me in all of them.. I want to share my current situation. Fifteen years ago I was date-raped. That produced a child. I was living with my sister - my only living relative - and she disowned me and gave me to him. He has fulfilled his fatherly responsibilities, although he never married me. We now have three children. There is no love between us. He humiliates me, pulls my hair, trips me, spits in my face, bangs my head into the wall, threatens me with a knife, even threw it at me once, but God didn't allow it to hit me. I went to a lawyer for child support, but I would have to leave his home first and I have no where to go. I'm telling you this so you will pray for me." Then she said she had a dream six months age. She and I were in my home in America and she was my servant. "Everything is in God's hands. I love you." Whoa! I read the letter standing with her. I called over an interpreter. She asked if I understood. I nodded. One of the hardest things I have ever done was tell her, through tears, that I would pray earnestly and often for her, but I could not take her home with me. She came to the clinic every day; once with her "mother-in-law" to get glasses. We prayed with almost every patient and when it was time for her prayer, she asked for prayer for her son. We lined up a home visit for her and listed her "problems." Pray that the team from he church will be able to reach her husband with the Gospel and he will accept Jesus or for God to take care of this dear, sweet lamb and her children. Not all our Rio experiences are pleasant, warm fuzzies.... yet! -- Kathy Hancock As the week draws to a close, physically I am tiring, but spiritually I am energized. As I left Villa Kennedy today, I knew in my heart the next time I hug the necks of these beautiful people, I will understand the words they are saying in my ears. I know their sentiments and they know mine, but it will be a great rejoicing when we meet again in the presence of God. -- Jada Bates Natalia came to visit today. She had helped us at other clinics. God plans and puts all the pieces together. One of her friends is a "Dr. of Therapy" and she is doing a special research study on Dystonia. She is discouraged with the small amount of information that she can obtain here. She wanted my e-mail and DVD to give to her. I had told Shirley this morning that God had a plan for the only DVD that was left. God is good. His plan is more infinite than we can imagine. -- Norma Miller Each morning, the first eight eye patients bypass the evangelism team downstairs and come straight to the eye clinic where we have the opportunity to share the Gospel with them. We are always excited about the first group in the morning and after lunch because that's where we see the highest percentage of lost people and we get the first crack at them. Thursday morning, I got to share the Gospel with four of them. I found out that they spent the night in line (on the street), even during a thunder storm. Two were elderly and two middle age. I am humbled that they would sacrifice comfort for a pair of reading glasses that we can get at the dollar store for $1.00. How many times have I grumbled because I had to wait an hour or two to see Dr. Parker? They were so grateful we were there. I was also a little disappointed to find out they were all Christians. I had my interpreter grill them pretty hard. So... because we had the time and God gave me the idea, I decided to give them a lesson in evangelism. I told them the American missionaries were going home , but they could be home missionaries. I used the "Share Jesus Without Fear" technique. I had my interpreter read the verses out loud and showed them how to mark their Bible using the Portuguese track we had given them and showed them the sinners prayer on the track (We didn't read that part.) I dubbed them missionaries, we prayed for specific needs and dismissed them to get blood pressures taken. A few minutes later my interpreter brought me a commitment card. I was confused. I said, "But they were all Christians." The interpreter said, "Apparently not. He (pointing to the new Christian) just prayed the pray on the tract and asked me for a commitment care." God does work in mysterious ways. -- Kathy Hancock This summer I ordered adult Rx glasses from the Lions Club. When they arrived, I began organizing them. I came across a pair of children's glasses. The Rx was +1950 +1875. I later called the Lions Club to discussed the order and mentioned the children's Mickey Mouse glasses. She apologized and said she was sorry and I said, "Oh, no. God put those there. We are already praying for the recipient." We showed the glasses around the team and church members and told them to start praying. The blind person came today. I noticed a Hallelujah party going on in Pam Smith's corner - the glasses were for an older lady with a very petite face (they fit her head). We hugged - we cried. She said before the glasses she could not tell night from day and had to be led everywhere. With her new Mickey Mouse glasses she read Pam's name tag - said she could see the difference between men and women. AND NOW FOR THE REST OF THE STORY... I took her down stairs for Edd to get her picture. I called team members over to celebrate. I have finally seen Stephanie Hill speechless. eventually she said, "Do you remember me?" The lady's eyes got wide; her face lit up and she said "Stephanie! I remember your name, but I could not see your face. Stephanie had led her and her granddaughter to the Lord last year. -- Kathy Hancock We prayed over a tiny pair of Mickey Mouse glasses with a really strong prescription, and we had wondered who God would bring to the clinic to receive them. Today we found the owner of the tiny, thick glasses! It is a lady who came to the clinic last year. I evangelized her in the street and in the clinic, where she prayed to receive Christ. Today she came back to see me, wearing her new glasses. She was so happy and even recognized my voice (she's still unable to recognize many specific features). She said, "Stephanie, I love you." You could have put me on the bus right then and sent me home - God is so good! - Stephanie Hill Beth Parker's devotion this morning was about the woman at the well and divine appointments. We prayed for all the divine appointments we would have today. I finally got to go out on the street today (Thursday). The guide from the church took us to a street that had not been evangelized. We shared the Gospel with three girls who were already Christians. I dubbed them missionaries. Then we shared with two men. One said no to me and no to a previous team. The other said no. But that allowed the perfect timing for a divine appointment. A lady flagged us over to pray for her daughter. She was young, beautiful, and mother of a one year old. She was a Christian, but said she had done/was doing things so bad that God wouldn't listen to her. We read several scriptures. The more we read, the more her countenance brightened. Then she told us that she was addicted to drugs. She truly seemed to want to change her lifestyle. We read more scripture. The men from the church told her they had a drug recovery at the church, she was open to this. We prayed and cried together and I underlined and had her read Eph. 3:20. She was smiling through tears when we left. I guess I met the woman at the well today. -- Kathy Hancock Maria, a blind lady who came to the clinic last year and came back this year, became a Christian when the church followed up with her after we left. Her daughter accepted Christ last year at the clinic but she did not. She asked us to pray for her depression due to her son being killed in the police raids just before we came last year. Her husband accepted Christ today and now the whole family are believers. -- Bruce Hill I have had an awesome week of speaking with people who already have relationships with Christ. What a privilege to be able to pray with these people and encourage them in the faith. One lady in particular had waited in line for hours to see the doctor, but had such a horrible wound on her leg that she was in pain. She asked if she could get a number for eyes as well as medical. I asked for a number and it was gladly given. Soon, Pam Smith was downstairs fitting the lady for her reading glasses. Not only that, Donnie visited her downstairs so she wouldn't have to do the stairs to his office. Also, her meds were delivered directly to her from the pharmacy. Throughout her time in the clinic, she cried and praised the Lord for the love she received from all parts of the clinic. She was grateful that we took the time to focus on her and treat her like someone SUPER SPECIAL. -- Stephanie Hill My week in Rio always reminds me that people are the same, no matter where they live. Mothers are sad when their children die and married couples sometimes argue. People have the same need for love and affirmation, and their souls need a savior. Children run, play, cry, laugh, and squabble with their siblings and friends. It has been an honor to work with my wonderful teammates and try to meet needs for a week. -- Sharon O'Neal We had a man in his 50's today who had been in for extractions yesterday, as well. He had been evangelized both days and had marked "No" to accepting Christ. We asked if we could talk to him again and he was Okay with this. He had many years of alcoholism and had lost his family and vehicle. We explained God's love and free gift of salvation and how the past did not matter and his slate would be wiped clean when he accepted Christ into his heart. The man's countenance changed in front of us and his guard came down. He prayed to accept Christ after twice refusing previously. The seeds had been planted and we had the blessing of taking in the harvest. -- David and Beth Parker; Stacy Peels I recognized Joana immediately. I had evangelized her last year when she came to the clinic. She refused to accept Christ at first, because her lifestyle was a mess. she was a big part of the carnival, painting during the festivities, and partying with the crowd down there. A church had told her that she needed to clean up her lifestyle before coming to Christ. We told her that that was not the case - that God would change her desires, if she surrendered her life to Him. She accepted Christ last year after much discussion, and I have wondered many times since then whatever happened to Joana. Well, I got my answer today!! Joana came to the clinic, dressed modestly. She was clearly different inside, too! Her face just glowed as she told me that her LIFE IS DIFFERENT WITH CHRIST!! The church visited her family, and they joined after last year's medical clinic. Joana is different, and Jesus was all over her face today! -- Stephanie Hill Being outside of my comfort zone seems to be the motto this year. Working in triage, taking blood pressure, talking to patients through an interpreter were all new this year. But most of all, using the EvangeCube to share Jesus was new to me. I am amazed at the words God speaks through me - not my words but His. It is an amazing feeling to have someone accept Jesus because I was willing to "step out of my comfort zone." -- Kim Mendenhall A lady came into the eye clinic on Wednesday. She had a cataract on her right eye and needed distance glasses on her left eye. She also needed reading glasses. the rule is only one pair of glasses per person. So, we measured her vision and I went to the box to find a pair of distance glasses. There they were... a pair of glasses that were plain on the right eye, the right measurement on the left and they had bifocals with the necessary reading help. They were perfecto!! I told the lady, "God provided these glasses especially for you!" It was wonderful. He led the right person to donate the glasses. He led us to Brazil and He led me to find that pair among many choices. -- Cindy Bush My interpreter and I were out "working the streets." Pat went with us. While we were heading back to the church, there were three men drinking beer across the street from the bar. We stopped there and asked if we might talk with them. They said it would be alright. Using the EvangeCube, I took, them through the plan of salvation. Asking for their decision - one said No, one was backslidden and wanted to repent, and one accepted Jesus. I asked the first man again and he replied No. I gave up on him and started working on paper work for the other two. Meanwhile, Pat began talking with the man that said No. After a while Pat pulled my arm and said this man wants to receive Jesus. I questioned him again and he wanted to accept Jesus. These men were not drunk and did not slur when talking. They had all their facilities. This tells us all people need Jesus. We need to witness to all people. We do not want to give up on them. -- Gene Dill My second patient of the day was Mirian. She remembered me from last year and was so excited to see me again and share the good news. Last year the day after she came to the clinic she accepted Jesus as her Savior! I had shared the Gospel with her, but she was not ready to pray. However, when she got home, God continued to work on her heart. She told me that God used a "word from someone who came from so far away" to get her attention and it has changed her life. She is now a woman full of life and joy and one God is using to bless others. When I asked if she had any prayer requests so I could pray for her, she said she wanted to pray for me, that God would bless me and continue to use me. Many times we don't know what happens after people leave the clinic, but seeing Mirian again reminded me that God is at work here in Rio and He continues to grow the seeds even after we leave. -- Amy Elrod I presented the Gospel to a group and an older lady accepted Christ. After we prayed she told me she had been attending church for a long time, but had never committed her life to Him. She is 72. God is so good. -- Bruce Hill Today a lady came in a wheel chair needing glasses. She had a stroke several months ago, which impaired her vision to the point she couldn't see her hand in front of her face. I went to get glasses and I prayed that God would help me with this lady. The interpreter and I placed the glasses on her face. She could see me and was totally amazed that she could read. She had not been able to read before! I said, "Thank you, Jesus." She raised her hands and said, "Jesus, Only Jesus!" -- Pam Smith I went on the street today with Edd. First , we talked to three young boys who prayed and accepted Jesus. The church should be able to reach them, because one boy's adult sister also accepted the Lord. My special experience, however, was a lady who said No. She said she is a spiritist. She would not accept Jesus. She would not accept the gospel. There is a reason God is always working. It feels good to do the work we have been doing, but we must never stop!!! -- Cindy Bush Today, a mother brought in her 7 year old son. On his form there was a cross indicating he had prayed to receive Christ. I congratulated him for his decision. His mother began to tell us that he sees things (spirits) in his room. They tell him to kill himself. I understand that he has tried to kill himself at least once. The interpreter told him if he see these things again, he can order them away, in the Name of Jesus. All I could do when this boy left was cry and pray that he truly understood the power of Jesus. -- Kim Mendenhall Anna Lucia is a 62 year old Catholic lady who came to the clinic today for evaluation of several problems. She has diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease. She has continued to faithfully go to mass and work in the ministries of her Catholic church in spite of her heath problems because she thinks that continued works of faith will assure her salvation. We shared with her some verses about faith in Jesus Christ (not works) as being the only way to Heaven. Anna Lucia prayed eagerly to accept Jesus as her savior and left the clinic assured to her salvation even if she is physically unable to keep up here works. -- Donnie Parker
I had 2 patients today that took me back to east
Tennessee: A 59 year old man accepted Christ today. He has never heard the Gospel up to this point. He was so happy God spared his life eight years ago from a heart attack. He could not see well enough to read the Bible we gave him, but was going to get glasses. When we told him that he would be able to see, he celebrated by touching his heart and raising his hands. He's been a Christian for 10 minutes and he is praising the Lord already. -- Bruce Hill These two names are written in my Bible because they said No to accepting Jesus. I ask that you also pray for their salvation: Larany Silva de Oliveina (age 15) and Carlos Henrique Barbosa (age 18) -- Norma Miller Marizimar is a 62 year old lady I saw in the medical clinic last year about stress and worry and lots of family problems. She had a daughter who was missing then and still has not been found. Marizamar accepted Christ at the clinic and came back this year to let me know she's a Christian and hat God is giving her peace. She has a smile now where tears were before. She keeps two toys I gave her last year on a shelf at home to remind her of her visit with the American and with Jesus. -- Donnie Parker I saw a mother today with joy all over her face. She is a Christian and had the blessing of seeing her 14 year old son pray to receive Christ. I sensed as I was presenting the Gospel that she was already a Christian. I also observed her son was paying very close attention. Son was saved! Mother was over-joyed! God is good! -- Edd Hancock A woman 55 years old had said No to the evangelism team about accepting Christ. After going through the plan of salvation with the cube again, she said No. She said that she was waiting until Sunday because all her family is Christian and she wanted to do it at church. I told her that today was the day He was asking to come into her heart and that no one is assured of tomorrow. I told her if she would accept Jesus today, she could make her decision public on Sunday With a smile, she said she wanted Jesus in her heart today. EvangeCube x 2 = 1 salvation. -- Norma Miller Several of us did street evangelism this afternoon. A young man prayed to receive Christ, and afterwards a friend who was with him told us that since the team was here last year, there's been so much prayer that drug dealers don't walk the streets with their guns like they used to and it's quieter and a better place to live. -- Karen Kiser One of the church ladies came to the eye clinic to receive reading glasses. When she left she was very excited, because she was going to go tell people how to be saved using the evangelism tracts that she could now read with her new glasses. -- Karen Kiser What an amazing honor to see three people you helped lead to the Lord last year now attending the church and working at the clinic this year! There are no words to describe the awesome power of the Lord. -- Bruce Hill
2008 Rio de Janeiro Medical Mission Trip Photo Gallery
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