More than Just a Game

Our team will never look at a basketball the same. For some it became a soccer ball, for others a precious gift from the Belmont Women’s Basketball team, but for all of us, a basketball is now the bridge that can cross any language barrier and break down walls. A basketball now means hope and…

Awed by God

Aleluia! What an incredible Sunday! Our team was invited to attend Pastor Douglas’s church and what a treat that was. The church provided a snack before the worship service and we were greeted by some of the students we befriended at the first school. We were so happy they decided to join us at Pastor…

Games and Gardens

Our team was able to sleep in a little later today! Breakfast was at 7 am and we departed at 8. We arrived at a special prayer garden around 8:30 am. Sharon lived in Brazil for 20-plus years in this area and invited us into CIEM- a training school for missionaries and religious education for women. She had…

Love Overflow

Another beautiful day beginning at 6:00 am. We got the opportunity to visit the first school a second time and reunite with our new friends. Once again, they welcomed us with open arms, a delicious breakfast spread, and were even more excited and ready to play and interact with the team. The entire day the…

Game Day and Children’s Church

I don’t think there was one dry eye in the Children’s church. Again, our morning started with a 6:00 am breakfast but by 8:30, our team forgot about their previous long day and jumped right into loving the children. The sweet kids at the church have parents involved in prostitution and drug trafficking. Their future…

Our First Day of Service

HOPE!  People all over the world are seeking, looking for hope; something greater than themselves, something to believe in, to look forward to, a way out.  May we always be prepared and never miss an opportunity to give the reason for the hope we have in our relationship with Jesus Christ. Today was our first…

Our First Day in Rio

We had a great conversation during our Bus trip from the Rio Airport to our Hotel. What are some of your first thoughts of Brazil? Junior Lauren Thompson – “It’s a stark contrast between where we will be staying and what we just drove by… just around the corner is kind of like the slums.”…

Our Journey Begins

“This verse makes me smile as I think of athletes and their feet – basketball shoes of all sizes, sweaty socks, and callouses from constant pounding and stress of play.  Not a pretty sight!  But, these feet are beautiful in God’s eyes as they take the good news of Jesus Christ to the people in…

Farewell Supper

We had a great supper Saturday night as our final group meeting before we depart for Rio.  Our missionary guide, Sharon Fairchild of Brentwood Baptist, shared about what we will encounter there as we do God’s work. We prayed together and we could all feel the excitement growing as we prepare to be used for…