The excitement of a new mission trip begins!! In just a few short days (we’re leaving Saturday, July 31), our mission team will be boarding a plane at Reagan National and flying to Manaus, Brazil, for two weeks of work on the Shade and Fresh Water program sponsored by the Virginia Conference and the Methodist Church in Brazil. We’ll be working on a construction project at Santa Etelvina Church along the Amazon, just a few degrees south of the Equator. Can you say “hot”?!
Many in our group—comprised mostly of members of Annandale UMC in Annandale, Va., and New Hanover Presbyterian Church in Mechanicsville, Va.—were in Manaus last year to help with this important program for at-risk children. This year, we will continue construction on classrooms, bathrooms, a kitchen and a parsonage. We’ll be doing mostly concrete work—mixing, pouring, building foundations and laying block.
While I have been to Fortaleza to work on that city’s Shade and Fresh Water program, I have not been to Manaus. I am looking forward to going and especially spending time with the people of Brazil, who are incredibly friendly, loving and always appreciative of our work! Over the last few years, we have made many lasting friendships with the local Brazilians who work on these projects. We all look forward to interacting with the children, assisting in the after-school programs and sharing our love for Christ with the people we encounter.
Our trip is divided into two, one-week segments. We have 23 team members altogether, eight of whom will be staying for the full two weeks, and the rest of us going either the first or second week. Our team leader is Erin McKenney, and our construction leaders are Mark Bradley and Jesse Atkinson. We have a mix of newbies and old hands, young and old, from across Virginia and as far away as Montana.
We hope you will follow us on this blog as we strive to fulfill God’s calling for us in Manaus. We will post new information daily (depending on our ability to get an Internet connection), so be sure to sign up to “follow” us and feel free to make comments.
Jay
Gabbie lends a helping hand to team member Blair Bullock.
