Santa Catarina 2002

September in Santa Catarina!

23 people from 7 UK churches and one church in South Africa visited Santa Catarina in the south of Brazil during September 2002. We were hosted there by Anderson and Patricia Lima from Criciuma, who have been missionaries with Knaresborough Community Church in Yorkshire for several years.

The first week was spent in Florianopolis, having some holiday time (beaches and boat trips); sharing with a local church there led by Pastor Adalberto and his wife Lulu; and a day with the church in Joinville (three hours north) linked with GttN.

catarina2002-02    During the second week we were accommodated by various churches in Criciuma, three hours drive south. There we spent time in their services and cell groups; shared with the city pastors’ at their prayer breakfast; visited social projects, new church plants and prayer/training camps; and participated in the annual Missions Conference hosted by most of the churches in the city. This attracts over 500 people, many from other cities in the south of Brazil and beyond.

As well as all this, we had plenty of time to be with ordinary Brazilian believers who looked after us in their homes, fed us with too much wonderful food, loved, hugged and prayed for us! None of us will be the same again!

catarina2002-01    The group included people from churches in Knaresborough, Leeds, Herne Hill (London), Redhill, Guildford, Southampton, Bookham and Cape Town. It was a wonderful time of making new friends, sharing fellowship, seeing God at work in Brazil and having our lives challenged and changed by the love and passion of our Brazilian brothers and sisters!

Here are some short testimonies from some of those who went:

My time in Brazil has been a life changing experience…...I can only describe it like an open heaven - Darren, Herne Hill

Isn't it sooo true that no-one can really understand the feelings and changes you come back from Brazil with - no matter how much you try and put it into words! - Linda, Leeds

We had a fantastic time in Brazil with all of you - Wheeler family, Knaresborough

I am now more convinced that the UK does have something to offer the churches in Brazil - Peter, Herne Hill

I cannot say what the impact of Brazil is on my life - I feel as if I have been set loose out of a cage I didn't know I was in - Fran, Guildford

webmaster, 17/01/2008