CBM MISSION TRIP

June 12, 2026

This morning we were greeted by the sound of children laughing, playing, and yelling OI, the minute we stepped out of our rooms. Our journey began with the village they call the Parrott. The children of the village were awake and waiting on the shore before some of us were even awake! We weren’t very busy today but we got to make a lot of good connections with the patients that did enter the boat though. We were told that this is the second time visiting this village this year, which means if the boat wasn’t very busy then this mission is doing what it was designed to do. Making healthier people through the love of Christ. The best moments were found in the smiles and laughter between the missionaries and the villagers. We ended our night with the Brazilian’s inviting us to sing praise songs with them on the upper deck after dinner.

June 12, 2026 (Continued)

We traveled overnight to reach the first village today, watching the darkness give way to the morning as we entered the village was a sight to see. It was a bit slow for medical patients, but all very necessary and meaningful interactions. We visited two villages today both had been previously visited by the boat within the last year as well, but the stream of patients stayed steady for the most part. It is a constant reminder that the lack of basic care and simple medications we take for granted such as antifungal creams and feminine care products aren’t available for these villagers. Which to us aren’t sever medical issues, but when left untreated for an extended period of time will affect their daily lives. Even the dentist, Dr. Murylo had a steady stream of patients and wasn’t done until almost sundown.

June 13, 2026

Music lets us borrow a child’s perspective for a moment- a view of the world where hope comes easily and every voice matters. As adults, we lose a lot of our child like wonder. Never intentionally but through the hardening of life and adulthood we sometimes forget to find the simple joys in our day. After lunch we arrived at a Mt. Oliveiras, a community that tends to be shunned by other places because they are made up of large younger families. They are looked down upon by other amazonian communities for various reasons, which leads to isolation and genetic disorders. There were many children 5 years old and older that had never received dental care. And because of that, unfortunately, their first experience with a dentist included many extractions, fillings, and root canals. Thankfully, we have an amazing dentist with us that took the time to explain things. He connected with his patients, so they were not as scared, and he walked through every procedure with them. He even took the time to love on them afterwards. The children all walked off the boat with a smile on their face regardless of the circumstances.

June 14, 2026

Today we got to a new village that hasn’t been seen in the last year. The children were so excited to get on the boat. There was so much laughter and joy. I witnessed people who don’t speak the same language manage to work together to safely carry on an injured woman who couldn’t walk. I heard the confession of a newly pregnant teenager that was terrified to tell anyone. I saw children playing with American’s that didn’t understand each other. Emotions and faith run deeper than words ever can. God doesn’t need us to talk we ARE his hands and feet. A few of us heard singing from the church in the village while we were standing outside on the boat after dinner. We decided to go and investigate; they ended up singing worship songs we recognized and were able to sing along with them during their church service. We were blessed with the ability to worship and praise along side the same people we treated today as equals all loved by the same God. We also came across the young girl who was pregnant and we managed to get prenatal vitamins and pain medication to her discreetly during the service. It was a God moment, that allowed us to do just a little bit extra to give someone a better chance in life.

June 15, 2026

Today was one of those days that reminded me that ministry is built through relationships as much as service. From the moment we pulled onto shore and the crew began to tie up the boat we were graced with the presence of little Miguel. Miguel was a little bright eyed busy tailed 4-year-old boy who had stories to tell and ALL the questions. We had the privilege of treating Miguel and his family on the boat. His joy and laughter were infectious. When we were done seeing patients, we had the pleasure of having little Miguel as a tour guide around his village, which he did with great pride and speed. With boundless enthusiasm he eagerly showed us all the places that were important to him. Despite the language barrier his laughter, smile, and excitement communicated more than words ever could. He showed us his church, school, gym, and soccer field. Despite the sun and the heat, we were able to play with little Miguel on the soccer field for a little while until the sun became too much for his tiny body and of course as well for some of our very pale skin. We had to finally call it quits, which little Miguel did not agree with. Miguels tears remind all of us the depth of connection that can happen in such a short time.

June 16th, 2026

“Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers for by doing so some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing.” Hebrews 13:2. Today we ported in Enseada but the God moment didn’t occur in the actual treating of patients, it happened in the moments between the planned work. After finishing with our last patient of the day, we noticed a family still lingering at the dock and we all decided to take a small walk around the little buildings there at the dock. The children and parents graciously invited us to walk with them and proudly led us through their fields showing us the plants and food they grow to sustain their village and family. At each stop they explained what was growing and how it was used. Then spontaneously they welcomed us back to their home, introduced us to their animals – chickens and ducks wandering around and dogs trotting along beside us. What struck me was not what they had, but how they shared it. Laundry hung up to dry in view, animals running around, their home was simple by many standards, yet they welcomed us with such joy and pride. They weren’t concerned about things being perfect they simply wanted us to know them, to see their lives and to be a part of their world for a short time.

They humbled us and reminded me that true wealth is found in community, gratitude, and the willingness to welcome others. We came wishing to bless the villagers and left being given a gift ourselves.

June 17th, 2026

“People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel” Maya Angelou. We were able to squeeze in one more stop for treatment this morning before heading to Sao Sebastiao. There were a lot of young children seen, but what hit home was being able to connect to the teenagers and older children we came in contact with. They joked with us, some spoke a few words in English and it meant the world to us. Knowing we were struggling with Portuguese they tried to meet in the middle with no shame. It was fantastic and comical. Unfortunately, on our trek to Sao Sebastiao we hit a big storm that brought waves that crashed over the side of the boat on the lower deck. Many were scared some nauseous, and some prayed out loud for safety and courage, while some of us lightened the mood with jokes. Even in the chaos there was peace. A sense of comradery and protection. The storm soon passed and we made it safely to Sao Sebastiao. Once we arrived, we were able to go visit the agriculture center and Santana’s home. We were welcomed by the local church and some of the children. They fed us VERY well and we later found ourselves engaged in strength/balancing competitions with the children which for some who are no longer in their 20’s proved to be quite a challenge. But we aren’t quitters and it made for some good laughs. The agriculture program is amazing, but those children showed us kindness and love that we will never forget.

June 18, 2026

“How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard” A.A. Milne. Today is the tail end of our mission trip in Brazil on the Amazon River. It is difficult to find the words to describe all that this experience has meant. As I sit here writing this, I’ve come to realize it’s not just the villages we visited, the patients we treated, the AMAZING food we ate, but those who have journeyed along side of us that have imprinted on our hearts.

Over these past days and weeks, the crew became much more than teammates. Somewhere between the shared meals, worship, moments of laughter, and difficult moments, we became more than colleagues, we all became family. The friendships formed here are ones we will carry with us long after the Amazon disappears from view. There is something special about serving together with a common purpose. Walls come down, conversations deepen, and bonds are built through shared experiences, that are difficult to explain to those that weren’t present. I am grateful for every story shared, every joke told, every prayer spoken, and every card game lost. Even moment we spent in community with our new found family will stay with us.