A team of 40 pastors, doctors, dentists, nurses, child care providers, and hairdressers provided physical and spiritual care to the communities on the banks of the Caracara and Anuera rivers in Cachoeira do Arari, Brazil. 

Team members were from Nova Europa Church of the Nazarene and Family of Faith Church in Campinas, Brazil, and from Crossroads Community Church in Nampa, Idaho.

They spent six days on the beaches of these rivers providing medical care, personal hygiene items, medicine, school supplies, toys, Bibles, children’s books, candy, and more. The services they offered resulted in 216 haircuts, 350 dental visits, 310 children ministered to, and 620 children’s books and 970 Bibles handed out.

The team also worked with the Bible Society of Brazil, which provided the boat and crew that made this project possible.

Everyone who entered the boat received a word of encouragement, a prayer, and a hug after their most urgent needs were met. The team played games with the children and gave them snacks while their parents were visiting the doctors and dentists.

The team saw how the contact, hugs, prayers, and physical care spoke louder than words. Everyone was deeply impacted to see the love of Jesus poured out, and many people accepted Christ in response.

“It is a privilege to be a part of a church that loves, not just with words but in action and truth,” said Denise Alves, Nova Europa children’s pastor. “We thank the Family of Faith Church and Crossroads Community for serving alongside Nova Europa in this project.”

--Church of the Nazarene South America