What people say
TESTIMONIALS
Life changing experiences and friendships
2019
David
“MISSION BRAZIL was a truly beautiful experience! If I had to boil my time down to a few topics, I would choose these three: encounter with the poor, time spent serving with the Brazilian students, and the joy of the children we served “.
Encounter with the poor cannot be understated.
Going on house visits and meeting the people of Caxambu and seeing their smiles is nothing short of meeting Christ Himself. This changes people and it changed me.
The second reason for MB is the time spent getting to know the Brazilian students that we were able to serve with. We spent many of our lunches and evenings with these people and they truly became our friends. We shared laughs, cries, and prayed together. The third reason is the children we put camps on for. We spent a week planning and putting on a winter camp for kids. There were games, catechesis, arts and crafts, and sports. We were able to spend much time together, play, and teach about the Catholic faith. This was truly a great time and I hope I can take part again one day in the near future!”2019
Mariana
“Being part of mission Brazil was a life changing experience”.
I was able to encounter Christ through people and most important share God’s love. I created lifelong friendships and I couldn’t be more blessed with how welcoming the Brazilians were. From visiting schools to rehab centers it allowed me to give back. Just as St Theresa of Calcutta once said “ Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.” Thank you CLM for a great opportunity! “
2019
Tracey
“At a party in September 2018, I was asked if I would join Mission Brazil 2019 as a nurse, I was honored to be asked and said “yes” straight away”
Most days, I led a health workshop. Even our first day was busy, but as the days went on, we got busier. Mostly ladies and children attended, the ladies being the members of the family who would consider health issues. We all became friends very quickly and the ladies trusted me and my helpers. We were overwhelmed to receive home cooked food and homemade gifts and such great love from these ladies.
Our trip to the orphanage was exceptional! While there, we met a little boy and his sister, he had muscular dystrophy. The children had been abandoned and found in the rubbish the previous year. A doctor visited the orphanage once a month.
I am certain that it was no coincidence that we had visited that day. God had brought us all there.
I know all our group and the staff will say that it was a magical experience for us all.”2019
Fr Ryan
“Firstly, I should say that my experience was very particular because I am a newly ordained priest. I was ordained three days before flying to Brazil, full of expectation and excitement.”
Something that struck me immediately was the joy of the volunteers and the great intercultural sharing between the British and the Brazilian groups.
Thankfully, the Brazilian group speak English, but even those who didn’t speak English, language did not become a barrier. The group made us feel so quickly at home, in a place where we didn’t have the language and the culture is very different to our own. Another highlight must be the people of Meio da Serra. The community there are an inspiration. Our presence there is truly appreciated, and they love to be involved and to see some of the works we are doing. As part of Mission Brazil, you have the chance to visit some of the local families in their homes where we are always welcomed in with a smile. For some volunteers this is their first experience of visiting and praying with people, talking and interacting with people in an area they do not know. I have seen how it is a real opportunity for growth in faith and personal skills, being able to communicate with others, but more importantly to listen to their stories.“A personal highlight for me is our day trip to the Christ the Redeemer Statue in Rio de Janeiro. Celebrating Mass at the foot of the statue is an event I will never forget.”
2020
PENNY MEYRICK
I expected mission work to be rewarding and life changing but I wasn’t prepared for how awesome it would be!
The most rewarding part the mission for me was visiting the community in their homes. To be welcomed by a complete stranger into their home was extremely humbling and to share faith and pray for their intentions was so moving. You can do anything through Christ and by these words and by showing his love, we were able to make such a difference in such a short amount of time to the lives of so many.
It was an amazing experience which makes me grateful every day for everything and everyone I have in my life.
One of the highlights of the mission was reading the bidding prayers at mass in the chapel at the feet of Jesus at Christ The Redeemer. Having our own private mass in such a spiritual place was extremely moving and we felt God’s presence with us… a definite WOW moment. I loved the experience so much that on the last day I had a tattoo of the MVC to always remind me of the town, the people and the service we gave to so many.If you want to live a simple life and take a step back to appreciate how beautiful God’s world is then Mission Brazil is definitely for you.
Thank you to everyone that made this experience amazing and to all those who shared in the joy of The Lord with me. Can’t wait to see you all on the next Mission Brazil.