Called To Brazil: Lessons Learned

Growing up, I always thought a calling to the mission field was something extraordinary—perhaps even miraculous. So, when I prayed about going on my first mission trip, serving people with disabilities in Brazil alongside Joni and Friends and a team from Shepherds College®, I waited for a clear sign from God. I looked for something definitive to tell me whether or not I should go. But no such sign came. Instead of hearing directly from God, I heard the voices of several of our bravest and most servant-hearted students. “Mrs. Sliwinski, you should go to Brazil!” they said. Or, “Why haven’t you gone on the Brazil mission trip yet?” It turns out God speaks through our passionate and amazing students!

Before I knew it, I was signed up to serve in Brazil this past June with 14 Shepherds College students, alumni, and staff members. Suddenly, I found myself discussing power adapters, international calling plans, cultural and weather differences in Brazil, and our shared hopes of making a lasting impact on families we didn’t yet know—but God did. As departure day arrived, excitement buzzed in the air, but anxiety was high too. I felt just as nervous as the students—maybe even more! However, once we touched down in Brazil, something changed. My nerves vanished in the most unexpected way.

From the moment our team arrived until the day we left, I experienced one of the greatest privileges of my life: watching our students move mountains, seamlessly applying the Appropriate Independence™ skills they had learned at Shepherds College. I witnessed the goodness of God shine through them in ways words can barely describe. I’ve tried to share the stories—of our students carefully lifting our Brazilian friends in wheelchairs, of their resilience when no translator was available, and of their boldness in sharing Christ’s love with strangers on a new continent. But no retelling does these moments justice.

Each night during our reflection time, the students’ words carried weight. I realized early on that their thoughts and reflections were not just for them—they were meant for me, too. Their insights blessed me in ways I couldn’t have imagined. Looking back, I believe God called me to Brazil not just to serve, but to witness our students face some of their toughest challenges. Those 10 days reminded me of God’s faithfulness through the eyes of some of my favorite people—our students and alumni. I will be forever grateful for the beautifully unexpected lessons they taught me in Brazil.