Through Singles United Representing God EVERYWHERE! (SURGE), ten single brothers and sisters travelled throughout Brazil to encourage and strengthen disciples in four different churches. They first met in Sao Paolo to encourage the singles there. Then they divided into two groups for a three day visit the churches of Belo Horizonte and Salvador. Finally, they met back together in the city of Brasilia to encourage the church there. Here is a personal report from a brother who went on the trip:
Brothers and sisters joined together from all over the United States for the mission trip to Brazil. The group included disciples from Florida, Connecticut, Virginia, North Carolina as well as the cities of New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Chicago. A few could not wait and went down a few days early for a little “expanded vacation” in Rio de Janeiro!
While our trip was only scheduled for ten days, our journey began long before that! Over a month ahead of time, many of us endeavored to learn as much Portuguese as possible for our trip using apps and websites such as DuoLingo. In addition, since Whatsapp is a free, Wifi-capable phone app that many disciples use in Brazil, groups were made for each city we visited. It was a great opportunity to communicate to our hosts, practice our Portuguese, and start friendships before we even left for Brazil!
The anticipation was incredible. Many hours at work were spent daydreaming of our trip to come. Our trip to several different cities included food, fellowship, lots of fun, encouragement, deep conversations, devotionals, prayer, vulnerable hearts, deep bonds, changed lives, hugs, tears, evangelism, sight-seeing, city streets, parks, music, beaches, markets, monuments, gift-buying, Brazilian pizza (the Bbest!), Guarana (look it up!), how and who to (and NOT to) kiss on the cheek, an impromptu driving lesson in city traffic, half-price women’s lunch, where not to leave your cell phone, life-changing experiences, coworkers and family bewildered by a trip to see people we’ve never met or talked to, heart-fulfilling moments, renewed spiritual walks, difficult good-byes, even more hugs, and even more tears.
Along with bonding with the disciples in Brazil, we also all have a unique bond with all of the singles who went on the trip. It will always be “OUR” SURGE 2015 Brazil group! Let’s see what next year will bring!
2016 will include SURGE Singles Mission trips to Europe, Africa and South America. For more information about future SURGE Mission trips, email to Chad Winchell.
