I went for a year to Belo Horizonte, Brazil with Youth With A Mission (YWAM) to work with street children. I was part of a team of 8 from Holland, America and Brazil. During the week we ran an
open home where we gave the children a meal, shower, medical attention, a chance to learn some woodworking skills, told them about who Jesus was and showed them Jesus’ love practically.
Being not very fluent in Portuguese I did the practical stuff. At the weekends we would work
in conjunction with local churches doing outdoor concerts with puppetry and mime, telling the story of Jesus. The impact it had on me was huge. It changed my view of the world, seeing people with very little made me realise how well off I was materially and emotionally.
It stretched and widened my faith living in a Christian community with people from very diverse backgrounds. My reliance on God grew as I was out of my depth so often. It was well worth going and I would recommend short term missions.
