Mission Team from First Baptist Church in Waukon completes trip to Brazil
The highest point among the many highlights ... The First Baptist Church Mission Team from Waukon is pictured above at the highest point of Vitoria da Conquista during their June 5-18 mission trip to Brazil. Left to right and back to front are Brent and Denise Beyer, Steve and Deb Kiley, Michael Roth Jr., Michael Roth Sr. and Diane Roth, Larry and Lin Barthel, Pastor Duane and Cristina Smith, Michael Smith, missionary and Mission Team host David Thompson, Larry Straate, Valeria White, and missionaries JoAnna and Victor Souza of Brazil with their young child. Submitted photo.
Presenting the “Good News” soccer ball ... Following sermons he delivered during the First Baptist Church Mission Team’s mission trip to Brazil June 5-18, Pastor Duane Smith of First Baptist Church in Waukon would present the “Good News” soccer ball to Brazilian children. The colors on the “Good News” soccer ball are associated with elements of the Gospel and how they pertain to and impact people’s lives. Submitted photo.
Union of Churches Convention keynote speaker ... As part of the mission work completed during the June 5-18 mission trip to Brazil that was conducted by the First Baptist Church Mission Team, Pastor Duane Smith of First Baptist Church in Waukon was invited to serve as the keynote speaker at the Union of Churches Convention, which is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year. Translating to the Brazilian people was David Thompson (pictured at right), brother-in-law of Pastor Smith who, along with his wife Debbie, served as the Mission Team’s hosts during the trip. Submitted photo.
submitted by Cristina Smith
First Baptist Church’s Mission Team members returned to the United States after a two-week mission trip, June 5-18, to Vitoria da Conquista, Bahia, Brazil. Fourteen team members participated in this life-changing mission trip: Pastor Duane Smith, Cristina Smith, Michael Smith, Mike Roth Sr., Diane Roth, Michael Roth Jr., Larry Barthel, Lin Barthel, Brent Beyer, Denise Beyer, Steve Kiley, Deb Kiley, Valeria White, and Larry Straate.
Despite the weariness after a 40-hour trip home, the team returned elated with excitement over all that was accomplished in the two weeks of the mission trip. The team’s hosts, and brother to Cristina Smith, missionaries David and Debbie Thompson, were kind and gracious and made sure the team’s needs were met - planning all the details that included lodging, transportation, meals, and outings.
The focus of the mission trip was to give a Gospel presentation to churches in the Conquista area, all of which were founded by David and Debbie Thompson, and are now under Brazilian leadership. Each team member shared a testimony of the transforming power of the Gospel based on 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, “…that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day, according to the Scriptures.”
The team visited a total of seven churches, the Thompson Theological Bible Seminary, and “COAT” – the Alice Thompson Christian Grade School, and presented a combination of songs, drama, and testimonies at each location. The two songs, one a child’s song, and one an adult song, were sung in both English and Portuguese which involved the audience’s participation. Valeria White complemented the adult song, “Goodness of God/Bondade de Deus” with sign language.
Brent Beyer played the role of Jesus Christ in the drama, “Salvation/“Salvação,” while the song track was played in Portuguese, “Thank You, Jesus for the Blood” (Charity Gayle), as each member walked from the rear of the building to the front carrying signs of various sins. Jesus (portrayed by Brent Beyer) met each person with sadness and dismay as each ignored him and rushed past him to the front until all team members walked forward. Then, Jesus died on the Cross.
At this point, Jesus began to forgive each member with an embrace, a demonstration of His mercy and compassion. Members demonstrated exuberance over being forgiven, and quickly turned their sign over to indicate the opposite of that particular sin: i.e., Addicted - Sober; Hateful - Loving; Sexual Impurity - Sexual Purity; Envious - Content; Dishonest - Honest, etc. Often, this encounter with Jesus was met with tears, for the significance was obvious, as stated: “Jesus Christ came to Earth to die for our sins, for us to receive Him as our personal Savior, and to be forgiven. Salvation is received in the Person of Jesus Christ as the only One who can forgive our sins, and by believing in Him, have entrance into Heaven for eternity.”
Pastor Duane Smith would follow the drama by preaching a sermon, with the aid of translation by his brother-in-law, David Thompson, and once by his nephew, Jonathan Thompson. Pastor Smith was also the keynote speaker at a church convention in which many churches were represented as they celebrated 60 years of the Union of Churches founded by departed missionaries Robert & Alice Thompson. This Union of Churches is similar to church denominations here in the United States.
Following the sermon, Pastor Duane Smith would gift the Brazilian children and/or churches a “Good News” soccer ball, which depicts colors associated with the Gospel: Black - Sin! Red - Jesus’ blood! White - Jesus cleans us white as snow! Green - Grow! Gold/Yellow - Heaven!
The team was also treated to various aspects of Brazilian culture, varying from “Churassco” (Brazilian barbeque), open-air markets, a quick trip to Ilhéus, Bahia to see the Atlantic Ocean, and even Brazilian “Sorvete” (ice-cream). Germinio Vieira Santos, who goes by “Gel,” provided a morning of exercise by dividing everyone into two teams to compete against each other (blue team vs. yellow team). Gel is a coach for soccer and volleyball, and a referee for professional soccer. He also played on Bahia’s basketball team years ago. The team welcomed the physical exercise to offset enjoying the abundance of delicious Brazilian food and many hours of sitting in the van. The good-natured competition resulted in the blue team winning and both teams were presented with medals and trophies in a fun-loving gesture by Gel after a church service immediately prior to the team departing for the United States.
Additionally, the team was hosted by Word of Life Director of Brazil John Reimer in Atibaia, São Paulo, during two long layovers in São Paulo at that school campus. The team was able to rest and relax for several hours until making its way back to the airport for the last leg of the journey.
The most rewarding aspect of the mission trip was the Brazilians themselves - their warmth and genuine kindness made team members feel completely welcomed. Their authenticity in worship to God at the churches was obvious and a challenge to team members for similar devotion. The experience had a profound impact upon each team member and is one that will affect their lives forever.
