Mission In Rio de Janeiro - Venessa Pinto
Recently Venessa Pinto, our Everyday Church Wimbledon Receptionist, got back from serving in a mission school in Brazil. We asked her some questions to hear her story.
Venessa, where did you go and who did you go with?
I was at a mission school as a student in Rio de Janeiro for 3 weeks led by Iris Global Ministries. The aim of attending the mission school was all about being equipped to share the Gospel in Brazil, to share the love of Christ, and to engage in practical care.
There were 30 individuals who had attended the mission from all around the world, and about 11 mission leaders.
I was at a mission school as a student in Rio de Janeiro for 3 weeks led by Iris Global Ministries. The aim of attending the mission school was all about being equipped to share the Gospel in Brazil, to share the love of Christ, and to engage in practical care.
There were 30 individuals who had attended the mission from all around the world, and about 11 mission leaders.
What did a typical day look like while you were there?
Our days ran from 6am-10pm each day excluding Saturdays (as Saturdays was our free day). Our days were filled with devotionals, teaching, outreach evangelism, mission and worship.
Every afternoon we would engage in evangelism outreach in the favelas (which are slums). And we would go out into the favelas in small groups of no more than 6 people. Each outreach group was led by a mission leader who was well known in the favelas and spoke both Portuguese and English.
Our days ran from 6am-10pm each day excluding Saturdays (as Saturdays was our free day). Our days were filled with devotionals, teaching, outreach evangelism, mission and worship.
Every afternoon we would engage in evangelism outreach in the favelas (which are slums). And we would go out into the favelas in small groups of no more than 6 people. Each outreach group was led by a mission leader who was well known in the favelas and spoke both Portuguese and English.
What was ministering in the favelas like?
The favelas were vibrant and alive. Children often played football barefoot, while music echoed through the narrow alleyways. Yet beneath this lively atmosphere lay hardship, with many areas under gang control. Entering a favela required good relationships with both residents and the local gang leader, so we always worked alongside trusted mission leaders and partnered closely with local churches. We were advised against taking selfies, as unfamiliar faces could be seen as a threat or mistaken for police affiliates.
The favelas were vibrant and alive. Children often played football barefoot, while music echoed through the narrow alleyways. Yet beneath this lively atmosphere lay hardship, with many areas under gang control. Entering a favela required good relationships with both residents and the local gang leader, so we always worked alongside trusted mission leaders and partnered closely with local churches. We were advised against taking selfies, as unfamiliar faces could be seen as a threat or mistaken for police affiliates.
"Children often played football barefoot, while music echoed through the narrow alleyways. Yet beneath this lively atmosphere lay hardship, with many areas under gang control."
Children in the favelas were often full of life though they lacked access to basic education, and many were forced into drug trafficking to survive, trapped in a cycle of despair. Yet despite their poverty, they eagerly offered their smiles, warmth, cute little drawings, or their time. Showing incredible generosity in the face of hardship.
Can you tell us about some of the people you met while you were there?
One of our first encounters was with a young man who was a leader of a notorious local gang. He heard the gospel being preached and heard one of our testimonies. We spent hours with him, and he surrendered his life to Jesus. He wept and said, 'If God can forgive me, he can forgive anyone.' He was baptised by the local pastor, baptised in the Holy Spirit, and is now part of the local church community.
One of our first encounters was with a young man who was a leader of a notorious local gang. He heard the gospel being preached and heard one of our testimonies. We spent hours with him, and he surrendered his life to Jesus. He wept and said, 'If God can forgive me, he can forgive anyone.' He was baptised by the local pastor, baptised in the Holy Spirit, and is now part of the local church community.
"We prayed with her, and she wept as she said, 'This is the first time someone has cared enough to ask how I’m doing.'"
One memorable day we met a former sex worker. She was abandoned by her family and struggled to survive. She poured out her heart to us, and we just listened. Sometimes stopping for the one isn’t about having all the answers – it’s about being present. We prayed with her, and she wept as she said, 'This is the first time someone has cared enough to ask how I’m doing.' This encounter taught me that ministry is often about small, unnoticed acts of compassion that God magnifies.
What were some of your highlights from the trip?
In a nutshell, the highlight of my journey to Brazil was walking through those favelas, seeing Jesus at work - witnessing God’s love break through darkness.
Another great highlight was the friendships I made. When you sweat together, pray together, and serve together, you form bonds stronger than steel. I know these are friendships that will go beyond this trip and will last a lifetime.
I quickly also learned that my very limited Portuguese wasn’t going to cut it. One day I tried to say to someone, “God loves you”, but instead I something along the lines of, “God eats bananas.”
In a nutshell, the highlight of my journey to Brazil was walking through those favelas, seeing Jesus at work - witnessing God’s love break through darkness.
Another great highlight was the friendships I made. When you sweat together, pray together, and serve together, you form bonds stronger than steel. I know these are friendships that will go beyond this trip and will last a lifetime.
I quickly also learned that my very limited Portuguese wasn’t going to cut it. One day I tried to say to someone, “God loves you”, but instead I something along the lines of, “God eats bananas.”
You’ve talked about some highlights, but did you face any challenges while you were away?
There were some lowlights. Sharing a room with 16 other girls, sharing 5 showers, and 3 toilets (most of the time 2 out of the 3 toilets were blocked) was not exactly glamorous. And I learned that community living can be both challenging and beautiful because it involves sharing life with diverse people, navigating differences, and experiencing a deep sense of connection.
There were some lowlights. Sharing a room with 16 other girls, sharing 5 showers, and 3 toilets (most of the time 2 out of the 3 toilets were blocked) was not exactly glamorous. And I learned that community living can be both challenging and beautiful because it involves sharing life with diverse people, navigating differences, and experiencing a deep sense of connection.
"I discovered the art of truly listening - pausing, being present, and seeking to understand rather than simply to respond."
What did God teach you through this experience?
On our final day, which was also graduation day, it was filled with stories, laughter and gratitude for all God had done. As I boarded my flight back to the UK, one thing was clear: this journey was not only about serving the people of Brazil, but also about God working in me, reminding me that his strength is made perfect in my weakness. I discovered the art of truly listening - pausing, being present, and seeking to understand rather than simply to respond.
Before this adventure, I had a polished idea of what serving God looked like. But I learned that ministry happens in those small moments when you just choose to be present.
On our final day, which was also graduation day, it was filled with stories, laughter and gratitude for all God had done. As I boarded my flight back to the UK, one thing was clear: this journey was not only about serving the people of Brazil, but also about God working in me, reminding me that his strength is made perfect in my weakness. I discovered the art of truly listening - pausing, being present, and seeking to understand rather than simply to respond.
Before this adventure, I had a polished idea of what serving God looked like. But I learned that ministry happens in those small moments when you just choose to be present.