Thad's Brazil Mission Trip

ABOUT ME:

Hi, my name is Thaddeus. Most of you who will see this probably already know me, but for those who may not - here's a short introduction:

I'm currently a seminary student finishing up my Masters of Theological Studies and also working on staff at my church. I used to work in the 3D video game industry, but God has since put a different call on my heart. I speak Portuguese fluently - so it makes missions in Brazil something a lot easier for me. I have done several mission trips to South America and all over the Caribbean, and my passion is for the Gospel and seeing lives radically changed by Christ through careful study of the Bible, discipleship, community living and deeds of compassion.

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ABOUT THE MISSION:

Last year I went to Sao Paulo, Brazil for two months to help out with ABBA - a local mission organization based in Sao Paulo that ministers specifically to children and teens in situations of risk. They have various ministries in the slums and on the streets. Their passion is to reach kids who have been abused, abandoned, been caught up in drugs and crime, orphaned, trafficked, and poverty stricken with the hope of the Gospel of Christ. They are mainly affiliated with local Baptist, Presbyterian and other Evangelical churches in Sao Paulo to help do this work. They have various projects ranging from safe houses in ghetto communities, orphanages, metal and woodworking workshops, and street ministries to homeless and drug users. The needs are great and many of the stories are heart breaking; of abuse, mistreatment, abandonment and the utter wreckage that sin leaves behind it.

If you'd like to read my blogs about my trip last year you can find them here:
- First Entry
- Second Entry
- Third Entry
- Fourth Entry

When I went last year I made so many great connections with the missionaries and especially with the kids! They are so precious and amazing, they quickly found their ways into my heart and I cannot wait to see them again! ABBA is definitely doing a very unique and needed work there in Brazil - the light of the Gospel is needed so much. I encourage you to check out the rough documentary video I have linked at the top of the page.

ABOUT THIS TRIP:

This year I will be returning to ABBA - specifically to their project called Casa Semear - which is a safe house within a slum community that ministers to about 90+ children. They do various activities with the kids at the house including lessons, bible studies, boys and girls small groups, arts & crafts, sports and games. It is a safe place for them to just be kids - when the world that they live in inside the slums can be so dangerous and dark. I'll be staying there at the house for about a month to help out with some kids camps they will be running as well as some other projects and also to finish filming for the documentary I'm hoping to bless the ministry with for use as promo material. The camps are a big event in their year, especially for the kids since they live most of their lives in the densely packed and dirty slums - going outside the city and into nature where there's fresh air, trees and lots of space to run around is often a time of great refreshing for these kids! I hope this will certainly not be my last trip as I pray I'm able to continue doing ministry there.

DATES:

I'll be flying into Sao Paulo July 1st, and staying there until July 23rd.


NEEDS:

I have already funded my trip and accomodations there. What I'm raising funds for now is to be able to buy resources which Casa Semear and ABBA will need, as well as to have something to bless them with financially. There are tons of needs from paper, crayons, books, toys, clothes, and a bunch of other things which are needed to keep this ministry running. However, it is difficult to pack much since I'll be traveling light. I do plan on ordering some things online in advance to arrive when I reach there though. As in many poverty strickened areas, there are also always needs for the various kids and families that ABBA ministers to such as help with money for schooling, job training and basic necessities of life.

Your donations will all be used either towards materials which are needed for the ministry there, or as a love offering to bless the projects they have going on there. I will provide an invoice of the resources which are bought for the mission as well as a report on how the money will be used for all donors so that you will know where your money is being put to use.

I've put a goal of $2000 - however, if I surpass this it will all be put to use by the mission in affecting the lives of the children they minister to and supporting the work of the Gospel in Sao Paulo. I am planning to leave this campaign running until Thursday 23rd June, 2016 - as I will need some time to withdraw the money and convert it. So if you decide to donate, please keep that in mind.


PRAY & GIVE:

Please prayerfully consider how you may be able to support in this trip without neglecting your own committments. I am so thankful beyond words for any contribution you can afford - but most of all I ask that you pray:

For me, for ABBA, pray for Casa Semear and the directors and missionaries there who have been working tirelessly for years in very difficult situations which can often times become discouraging and seem hopeless, pray for the kids - for the light of the Gospel to shine brightly there and for them to know in a real way the transforming power of Christ's love, pray for sound doctrine and teaching as Brazil is plagued with many forms of false teachings and lies - the prosperity gospel there is ridiculous and there is a lot of theological famine in many areas, pray for God's provision and direction for the mission, pray for safety - there is some level of danger in the slums but the Lord has been faithful to protect us, pray for Brazil and all the various struggles which are going on in the country, pray for the favelas (slums) which are a breeding ground for drugs, crime and hopelessness, but most of all - pray for the glory of God to be revealed to the people of Brazil in a huge way like we could never imagine. Pray for spiritually blind eyes to be opened to the light of the truth of the Gospel, for hearts to be changed and lives transformed.

Thanks and God bless!

"The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost." (1 Timothy 1:15)