Project Brasil: A Description of Our Ministry Projects

A WORLD WE CAN CHANGE ...

Your church group of any size can make a big difference in our community. We have projects to fit every type of skill: we need construction workers, children's workers, musicians, teachers, doctors, dentists, evangelists, and people who are willing to do "whatever."

The purpose of each mission trip is to work toward three goals:

1. To build God's kingdom in the community through work projects, Bible studies, worship services, and outreach.

2. To strengthen your people to return home as more dynamic witnesses for Jesus Christ.

3. To change lives — your lives and the lives of those you serve in Rio.

Your church group of any size can make a big difference in our community. We have projects to fit every type of skill: we need construction workers, children's workers, musicians, teachers, doctors, dentists, evangelists, and people who are willing to do "whatever."

MORE DETAILS

Ideally, group mission trips are scheduled to last 12 days, leaving the USA on a Friday night, arriving home a week from the following Tuesday.

This gives you the opportunity to spend two Sundays in Brasil, to work in our mission 4-5 complete days, and have 2-3 days for sightseeing and leisure activities.

Of course, the schedule can be modified according to the needs of your group.

WHAT YOU WILL DO
Work projects can include any of the following, depending on the skills of your group: construction work, painting, Vacation Bible School and other children's ministries, coaching soccer, giving medical assistance, teaching English, repairing computers, cleaning houses, leading worship services, etc.

Leisure activities can include, according to the preferences of your group, spending an afternoon at the beach, horseback riding, hiking, sightseeing, etc. Brasil has no shortage of fascinating places to visit and fun things to do.

WHERE YOU'LL STAY
During your visit you'll stay in a comfortable 3 star hotel with a fantastic breakfast buffet served each morning. Each room has cable TV (including some channels in English) and hi-speed internet access. If you don't bring your laptop, the hotel also has a computer room with internet access, so you can check your email easily.

Or...if you really to be immersed in Brasilian culture, members of your group can stay with families in our community.

TELEPHONE
The Project Brasil office in Rio has an international phone line (a US based number) so that in the event of an emergency (or urgent necessity) you can get in touch with the people back home and they can easily get in touch with you.

PREPARATIONS
We'll guide you through the entire process: obtaining your VISA, what to pack, what to leave at home, what to wear. Project Brasil provides a check list for all necessary items, all documentation you will need, every step you will need to take. We'll also give you a 3 hour primer on basic Portuguese phrases that will help you when you arrive.

COST
The cost of a trip fluctuates slightly based primarily on the cost of airfare and the dollar exchange rate. The cost is typically in the neighborhood of $2000 US dollars per person. This includes everything -- VISA, all travel, lodging and all meals. You pay only for your souvenirs.

NOTE: The cost is less for groups that choose to stay with families.

To find out more about how to schedule a mission trip to Brasil, please click here.

Missions

Work

Volunteer

Jesus

Beach in Rio

A WORLD YOU CAN CHANGE

Eric You don't have to be part of a mission group to get involved with Project Brasil. Over the past three years several individual volunteers have worked with us in different capacities, helping out in English and computer classes and attending worship services.

We've had volunteers work with us from one week to one month; it all depends on your availability.

What can you do?

Maria Depending on your skills and your schedule, we will find a place for you to fit into our project. Maybe you can teach an English class, work in the computer center, help with a worship team in a church service, do some construction work, paint a room, clean a house—there are many ways you can help Project Brasil; it depends on you.

Most of our volunteers already had plans to visit Rio and managed to work us into their schedule. Some visited our project one or two days, some visited several times.

Rob Volunteer How we can help you.

If you are coming to Rio and would like to spend some time working with Project Brasil, we can help you put your plans together. Our projects are near the metro station and the train station; they're easy to find and easy to get to. We can also suggest low-cost, safe hotels or hostels to stay in.

For more information on how to be a Project Brasil volunteer, please fill out this form. We'll be in touch with you regarding your plans and our availability.

If you would like to be a volunteer with Project Brasil, please click here for more information.

A WORLD YOU CAN CHANGE ...
... WITH JUST ONE DAY

THIS YEAR we are inviting 365 individuals and/or churches to donate one day's operational expenses to keep Project Brasil reaching out to our communities with the good news of the gospel of Christ.

OPERATIONAL EXPENSES
Project Brasil's annual budget for 2008 is $52,500. Therefore, our daily operating expenses are about $144. This may not seem like much, but the dollar still goes a long way in Brasil. $144 per day enables us to pay 4 full-time Brasilian employees, provide school supplies for our students, maintain a computer center, provide medicine for our clinic, and operate Vacation Bible School and Soccer Camp for more than 200 children. We also assist two churches in ongoing ministry projects, and provide support for families in crisis.

HOW THE PROCESS WORKS
Visit the online donation form. You can make a gift in any amount. We are inviting sponsors to donate $12 a month for the next 12 months -- this covers our operating expenses for one full day. Donations may also made be made in a single payment. If you prefer, you can send a check to:

PROJECT BRASIL
9855 SW 184th Street
Palmetto Bay, Florida
33157

ABOUT YOUR DONATION
Project Brasil is a 501C3 ministry, operating under the headship of Bay Community Church in Miami Florida. We are also an officially registered Non-Governmental Organization in Brasil. Your donations to the Project Brasil are tax-deductible. You will be sent a receipt for your donation.

HOW TO BE A SPONSOR
To sponsor Project Brasil, click here.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How much is does it cost to become a Project Brasil sponsor?
Of course, gifts of any size can be given and are greatly appreciated. Right now we are asking 365 people and/or churches to support us for a single day this year -- to cover one day's operational expenses, which is only $144. The gift can be made in 12 monthly payments of $12 if you prefer.

Do you require people to become Christians before they can take classes or receive help from Project Brasil?
No. Our students and the people in our community know that we are a Christian ministry, that we work with a local church. At first people in the neighborhood were skeptical because they thought we were there only to convert them. People would say to me, "I can't sign up for classes because I'm not religious." We've emphasized again and again that this is not a problem; we're here to serve the community. We've learned that when people see a living example of God's love, they are drawn to the message of Christ. Many people have become Christians since we first began this ministry, but we don't make this a requirement to participate.

Where does the money go?
100% of your donation is spent in Brasil. With it, we pay salaries for 4 Brasilian employees (teachers); we pay rent for our facilities; we provide school supplies for our students -- English books, computer manuals, notebooks; we give snacks for the children who come to our activities, and we purchase medicine.

How much of my donation is spent on advertising?
Zero. All US based expenses, such as advertising, mailing and accounting fees, are covered by a start-up grant from our founder. This way, all of your donation goes to help the people you want to help.

Are gifts to Project Brasil tax-deductible?
Yes. Project Brasil is a non-profit ministry and your gifts are tax deductible. Our sponsoring church is Bay Community Church, located in Miami, Florida.

Our church would like to donate some used clothes and toys. Is that possible?
Unfortunately, no. Brasil is very strict about which items they allow to be imported. Used items are not allowed. Computer equipment is not allowed. All other items are heavily taxed. Right now, shipping donated goods to Brasil is not a feasible option.

What makes Project Brasil stand out as a special ministry?
We're not a mega ministry. We're small and our workers are fiercely dedicated to our mission. We are working in two communities, and we're the only ones in each place doing what we're doing. We're not in "competition" with other ministries. It is our belief that it takes a generation to change a generation, so we have settled in for the long haul. We plan to be here for a long time.

What is your mission statement?
Our goal is to transform communities by transforming lives one at a time -- to give people the resources they need to live a fulfilling life -- through education, job training, medical assistance, and through helping them discover a life-changing connection with Jesus Christ.

Click here to become a sponsor


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