November 17, 2008    

    We have tentatively set the dates for our summer 2009 mission trip.  We will be ministering in Porto Alegre, Brazil from June 26th - July 7th.  This is an open trip.  We may have one or two more groups later in the summer, but they will be comprised of teams from specific churches.  The cost of this trip will be $1250 plus airfare.  This will cover all of your expenses in Brazil, including your travel visa.  I have included an article below, written by Jennifer Lovett who was on the team that ministered in Porto Alegre, this past June.  This will give you an idea of what to expect.

                                                                       Mission Trip ~ June 2008

    I can’t remember his name, but several years ago a missionary made a statement that I will never forget.  Referencing John 3:16, For God so loved the world…, the man told me that “the very heart and vitality of God are poured out in the pursuit of lost men.  Therefore to love God is to be involved in the pursuit of lost men.  There is no other way.”  The love that the individuals who make up Living Bread Ministries have for God is evidenced in their pursuit for lost men, women, boys and girls.  I was blessed to be a part of the team traveling with LBM this past June to Porto Alegre, Brazil.
    Our days in Porto Alegre allowed us the opportunity to come alongside two of the churches, Igreja Batista Missionaria and Igreja Batista Viva, to share the Gospel with and to meet the physical needs of the church and community members there.  We attended church services, served at the weekly children’s ministry, prepared meals for the church and community members, and distributed clothing and food kits to the needy.  At each of these events people’s practical needs were addressed, but along with that the love of God and the salvation available through Jesus Christ were always boldly shared with those present.  In working with Living Bread Ministries, I came to understand the high importance of church planting and what that ministry is truly all about.  It was a precious sight to see how these pastors and churches reach out to the people in their communities, meeting and accepting individuals where they are, helping to provide for their needs, and doing it all with the message of God’s love and salvation.
    While in Porto Alegre, we also went with both Pastor Claudio and Pastor Magioli to visit the homes of believers and unbelievers in their communities.  Visiting the homes of people in the community is something these pastors do regularly and we were able to join with them in our time there.  As someone who would rather listen than talk in most situations, I was a bit apprehensive about the home visitations, but we were warmly welcomed into homes and were able to share God’s Word and our testimonies.  It was a blessing to be able to pray for these people and to share Life with them.   
    On Friday night, we bundled up and went out with Pastor Claudio, his family, and many of the church members, to take part in the Green Light for Jesus project.  This outreach was started to minister to those living on the streets and under bridges.  We walked the streets with tracts and sandwiches, ready to tell anyone who would listen about the hope they can have in Christ and to also provide something for them to eat.  It was the first time in my life that I walked up to a complete stranger and shared the Gospel with them.  Once again, this experience was out of my comfort zone, but I praise God for providing the opportunity and for using Pastor Claudio to encourage me to speak when I would have naturally let someone else do the talking.  It was awesome to see God at work and to be a part of what He is doing among the desperately poor of Brazil.  During this project and throughout our time in Porto Alegre we witnessed several individuals come to accept Jesus as their Savior and Lord.    
    We went to Brazil to encourage and minister with our brothers and sisters in Christ and to share the message of Jesus with those who have not heard or who have not yet believed.  It was our hearts and our lives, however, that received such a huge blessing and I am so grateful. The trip to Porto Alegre, Brazil reminded me again of how active God is in our daily lives, of His great love for the people of the world, and of how He will use us beyond our natural capabilities if we are willing to go where He leads and do what He places before us.     
    
    ~Jennifer Lovett

                                        If you would like to learn more about joining our group in June 2009
                                                            please contact us at info@living-bread.org.