Brazil’s Slave History
A documentary about the history of slavery in Brazil.
My Brazil Connection
In the summer of 1996, during my college years, a ministry couple with the Disciples of Christ congregation I was a member of in Moberly, Missouri came back from a conference excited about the missionary stories they’d heard while there. They said that if it weren’t for some health issues, including serious allergies, they’d want to go overseas. Their talk got me thinking and sparked a memory of and interview I’d heard on a Christian radio station when I was a in high school. In that interview some teenagers talked about their experiences on a mission trip. The thought of going and doing something like that frightened me as much as inspired me. Seeing this couple so animated about missions renewed that interest. Summoning my courage, I called the church office one day and asked if they had the contact information for any mission agencies. They gave me the number for Christian Missionary Fellowship (CMF), a group affiliated with independent Christian Churches/Churches of Christ (I was preaching for such a congregation at the time in rural Missouri). I called CMF and discovered they had a “mission internship” program for people my age.
Looking over the paperwork CMF sent me, it seemed impossible. So much money to be raised, a passport and visa to request, logistics, fear…but it all came together. Support practically rolled in from churches where I’d supply preached, together with the home church of the man who’d baptized me only a year earlier. I got my paperwork and vaccinations in order, and in June 1997 I arrived in Brazil with a group of mostly college-aged people and a team leader who had been a missionary for 8 years in Brazil.
The experience was amazing. “Larger than life” is one of the phrases I used to describe it. More powerful that the cultural experience, though, was the spiritual reality I perceived. It’s difficult to explain, but after only one week in the country, during a Sunday church service, I sensed God’s call on my life to Brazilian missions. This happened while the oldest daughter of my host family at that time sang a special song for communion, the song I include here now.
At the time I didn’t understand the words, but I felt their meaning deep within. So much so that when I read the words later, when I was able, there were no surprises in the lyrics for me. It’s about poverty and deep injustice, and how Brazil’s true hope can be found in God, “the just judge.”
My commitment was thorough. I’d return to the United States and learn the Bible, ministry, Greek, Hebrew and even how to play guitar. Then I’d return, as soon as possible. If only I’d lived up to that vision for preparation.
The rest of the summer simply confirmed this sense of calling, and I mentioned it to no one until nearly the end of my time in Brazil that summer (or winter, as it was in the southern hemisphere). I met orphans, saw extreme poverty, visited a drug and alcohol rehab farm and in many ways gained a deeper, broader vision of the work of God’s kingdom than I’d ever had before.
Returning to the United States was painful. I didn’t want to go. I suffered through the following months as I completed my Associates degree. Doors opened for me to enroll in an accelerated program at Harding University (a school connected with the a cappella Churches of Christ) where I’d be able to complete my Bachelor in Ministry degree within two years. More amazingly still, the program’s obligatory international campaigns the two years I attended were in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. I went back to Brazil sooner than I’d imagined!
In December 1999 I graduated from Harding and, perhaps foolishly, dropped ideas of attending seminary immediately. I wanted to get back to Brazil. I traveled down, visited a few churches in very different parts of the country and felt most at home in Uberlandia, Brazil. It didn’t hurt at all that I also met there the lovely young woman who is now my wife! (We met in church…what could be better?)
In 2000 I made the best decision of my life, but also separately one of the worst steps I could have taken. I married Christiane (that was perfect!) but settled in Brazil. In retrospect I realize that I wasn’t ready to be in Brazil at that time. I lacked maturity and most certainly hadn’t fulfilled all the preparation goals to which I’d committed myself that evening in June 1997.
Working teaching English as a foreign language and drawing some support from independent Christian Churches in the United States, I helped out the mission team composed of couples from the a cappella Church of Christ background. There were great difficulties, but I remember most of that time with fondness. In late 2003 I relocated my family to the United States. Since then my wife and kids have been back to Brazil twice, but I’ve yet to return.
Is it over? I hope not. Nothing stirs my spirit or quickens my blood like Brazil. I have no illusions about the country and certainly don’t idealize, but I yearn to go back, both to visit and to live. I believe that my experiences since leaving that country have been working to prepare my family and me for a return.
My first move to Brazil was short-lived because I was unprepared and not working in the right area for me. English teaching is fine (it doesn’t ignite much interest within me though) and church planting is not my strength. In recent years I’ve discovered a fondness for programming and web development, and a keen desire to be engaged in youth ministry and community development. My wife has uncovered an interest for social work. We’re preparing, and I believe the Lord is preparing us.
For what? Youth-focused community development.
Read more in this blog and you’ll get a feel for what’s on my heart with regards to Brazil.
