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GUESS WHO WROTE IT?

Each Brazil team member prepared a testimony to share during their June 5-18, 2025 mission trip to Vitoria da Conquista, Brazil. Below are a few excerpts from those testimonies. Can you guess which team member wrote each one? 

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“I grew up in the church and for as long as I can remember, have been a believer. That does not mean that I always enjoyed church services in my youth. I would ask my dad how much time was left, and his answer was always “10 minutes”.  Not having a watch, I would count to 60 ten times. Church was never over in the 10 minutes he said it would be.”

“God added to my testimony yet again this year.  I had a heart attack in February, as some of you may know. I understand that you prayed for me, and I must tell you that God heard!  And I thank you so much from the bottom of my beating heart!”

“Working in nature, I always felt God’s presence. Seeing new life being born when I had dairy cows. Planting seeds and watching them sprout and grow tall, this was all created by our Lord and Savior for us. Nature is amazing, so many little things must work together for the right outcome! This could not have happened by accident; God surely orchestrated every detail!”

“Most of my patients have very unhealthy hearts. Many of them need medications, procedures, or even major surgery to survive. These treatments are meant to save their lives and improve their quality of life. In order for any of the treatments to work effectively, they need to adhere to a regimen which most of the time includes a lifestyle change. All of us are born with an unhealthy heart, not necessarily physically unhealthy but spiritually sick, inclined to sin. The Bible tells us in Jeremiah that the heart is deceitful above all things. It also tells us in Jeremiah 24:7 “I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the Lord. They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me with all their heart.”  This requires a lifestyle change not by medications or surgery, but by a relationship with God.”

“I left here spiritually lifted but physically in pain thanks to the little sea creatures known as sea urchins.  If there had been a competition on who could get the most souvenirs on the trip, I would have won. I left with over 200 sea urchin quills in my feet. The long trip back to Iowa was rather painful.”

“Through these experiences and many others where I have experienced God working in my life and answering prayers, I continue to grow in my faith and trust of God. Sickness was something I had seen others struggle with but did not fully understand how it must feel to be so sick. Now I understand how it feels, and it helps me know what to say and how to support the sick.”

”My life changed drastically once I truly surrendered my life to God. I quit drinking and smoking, and my life improved in all ways physically and spiritually. There are still struggles with sin, but I rely on God to help me overcome them. I also know that God will always forgive. Since becoming a follower of Jesus, I only want to follow His will for my life. Everything I do should be for Him and every gift I have is from Him! I want to help point others to Him.”

“The first thing God revealed to me is that I was going through all the motions of being a Christian. All those years of my life going to church and not hearing the Gospel. Before, I did not have a relationship with Jesus, and I did not know it was even possible! Before, I had not been saved, and I did not know what salvation truly meant!”

“God forgave me, comforted me, and healed me. The lessons I learned humbled me and have given me more compassion for people for whom Christ died. Being vulnerable and open has allowed for new friendships while deepening old ones. It has also given me the most precious moments with my Savior, Jesus Christ through Bible-reading and prayer.”
“He wants to be a part of our relationships as a spouse, parent, child, and friend. He wants to be a part of our jobs, schooling, and social activities. He wants to be a part of every decision we make. Sometimes in this big, crazy world we may wonder what I was made for, what is my purpose, especially when we are going through difficult times. There is one who knows all the answers to those questions, God, and He wants a relationship with each and every one of you. If we put our faith and trust in Him, He will guide us through all of life’s challenges and difficulties.”

“Even when I went to public school, I remember my 5th grade teacher reading a verse from the Bible and praying every morning to begin the school day. Not all of my teachers did this, but I did notice that the school day seemed to go more smoothly that year. It was a sad day for me when Bible reading and prayer were banned in public schools. I firmly believe our society in the USA has suffered greatly for that decision, as evidenced by our young adults and youth, even older adults, who lack a moral compass and a sense of hope.”