Mission Trip

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For my church youth group we had like this big revival movement today. It was pretty cool and powerful but we're going on our first missions trips well actually my first to Brazil. I've been waiting for ever to go on a missions trip at my church to like africa or indonesia or something but I was always too young. And a lot of people who had gone and come back had some really nice things to tell about miracles and stuff like that happening and they had things on tape that were kind of hard to believe. But now I'm 14 so yay. Should be fun and sounds like it's going to be very life-changing. I never expected to go to Brazil though. I was planning on going to Japan first (hence the boardname) but that won't be till next year. I think most of the teens from my church from 14-18 are going. About an average of 29 people. I don't speak much Portugese but till then they will be helping us get some of the basics down even though we will have translators and stuff. It's around early december late november for about two weeks. But I'm pretty excited about it. Though I heard alot of things about the country of Brazil both negative and positive. I'm a little nervous about it because I'm going with out my parents and it'll be my first time on a plane. But I'll be with friends so that's nice. Do you guys have any input if you've ever been there or you've heard about it? If you've ever gone on a mission trip or anything to that extent. Your feelings on it and stuff would be nice. Thanks

What do you do on these mission trips? Is it like a normal teen trip of seeing the place and having a laugh, or is it a converting-the-heathens-to-christianity-before-their-jesus-free-lives-sends-them-to-hell kinda trip?

The main mission of missionaries on mission trips is to convert people to the missionary's religion. Sometimes they do nice things as well, such as feed people and build things.

Lol, no it's the same as they always do. Building them homes and donating food, clothes, shelter and stuff. Mostly teaching them to read and write, get them off the streets and not into gangs. Getting killed or starving. We had watched a video on the kids our age in Brazil and what they go through everyday. And it can be really really bad. So just sort of trying to help them out a bit.

Are you going to Rio? A lot of help is needed there, but be careful.

I think so. We had heard about some of the places there that were really dangerous because of the large amount of gangs there. My friend italia is Brazilian and she said when she had gone there to visit her aunt and she had seen a group of little boys who looked about 9 years old and one of them was holding a gun. That's a little outrageous.

Sounds fun!

You're doing an awesome thing hun! Very proud of you for helping people in need. It's nice to hear there are people, esp young people out there with such an awesome view as you. I always wanted to go on mission trips with my church, but they always got cancelled for one reason or another.

I'm sure it's an experience you'll always remember. Just be safe =-D.

Thanks

or annoy the hell out of you and push their own 'godly' agenda

As long as you are not veturing into the favelas, I think you will be quite alright. As in any large city anywhere on Earth, use common sense. Don't let your wallet stick out, don't carry around expensive items that you don't have to, and don't walk around empty streets at night.South America is a charming place, with a nice mix of slow-paced small towns, to huge modern cities crowded with cars and skyscrapers. I think your view of the violence there is a bit exaggerated in your mind. Most of the large cities are considered pretty safe, as long as you aren't venturing through the favelas, especially in Rio De Janeiro and Sao Paulo.As far as not speaking Portuguese, a lot of the larger cities in South America have a surprising amount of people that speak English. Although they are different languages, if you speak Spanish, you're likely to be partially understood since the languages have several similarities, but don't always count on it.Have fun.

thank you that was helpful