IDE Newsletter | Presence That Transforms

| A SIMPLE AND PROFOUND MISSION

Not every mission begins with abundant resources. Some start with something simpler and even more powerful: being present.

The purpose was clear: go from house to house, listen to stories, promote health, share faith, and invite people to take part in community activities. Nothing extraordinary at first glance. But in practice, everything changes when there is closeness. Because understanding is not born at a distance. And reality cannot be contained in reports.

The team was made up of ordinary people, united by something rare: a genuine willingness to serve. Every visit, conversation, and gesture carried intention. And more than bringing something, there was a sincere openness to learn.

| A PERSPECTIVE THAT TRANSFORMS

Joel Nunes, a participant in one of the Puxirum Ribeirinho Mission trips, shares how this experience changed the way he sees reality:

"The mission seemed simple: to be present. To go from house to house, listen, help, and share

faith. But nothing remains simple when you truly draw near. In many communities, access to basic needs is still lacking: water, healthcare, and education. And when the essentials are missing, everything else becomes secondary. This experience showed me that understanding doesn’t happen from a distance. Many times, those who go to serve are the ones who return the most transformed."

Some truths become clear when we are close:

• Impact doesn’t begin with resources but with presence.

• You cannot transform what you choose not to see.

• The most dangerous distance is not geographic, it’s emotional.

When we return, one truth remains: these communities are not invisible, but indifference can make them seem that way.

| THE POWER OF GRATITUDE

What stood out the most wasn’t hardship, it was gratitude. Gratitude for spending time together, for attention, for presence. Simple things that, in that context, carry deep value.

Andreia Rodrigues Costa, a volunteer and missionary, experienced a powerful moment during one of the trips to the riverside communities:

"I was on the boat when a woman arrived in a small canoe and asked me for water. She said she

hadn’t been able to catch any fish and was very thirsty. I gave her food and cold water. I asked if I could pray with her. We prayed, and that woman, who had been sad, left joyful. From the middle of the river, she kept waving at us. I was amazed. How can someone with so little be so grateful? God gave me the privilege of living that moment. I never imagined I would be able to take a trip like this. I was afraid, but God healed me. It was the best experience of my life. I saw miracles happening."

| IMPACT THAT GOES BEYOND THE JOURNEY

Andreia experienced days marked by God’s presence in every detail. Just like Joel, her story reveals something in common: those who go never return the same.

This experience doesn’t end when the boat comes back. On the contrary, it contributes to something greater: building a foundation, generating understanding, and paving the way for future teams — doctors, dentists, nurses, and volunteers — to arrive better prepared. Mission is also about continuity.

| WHY NOT START PREPARING NOW?

Join a mission trip, serve with your skills, walk in obedience, and discover how rewarding it is to serve God and others.

| UPCOMING TRIP DATES

• March 22–28, 2026

• April 12–18, 2026

• May 17–23, 2026

• June 7–13, 2026

• July 5–13, 2026

• August 23–29, 2026

• September 13–19, 2026

• October 26–November 2, 2026 – Puraque Mission

  
  

The mission belongs to the Lord, and He continues to work His wonders. And in your daily life, you can also help take the Gospel further: pray, serve, donate. Your action is essential for the mission to move forward.

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