by Joseph Lass

As we start wrapping up our week here in Rio, Restore Brazil provided our team with a whole day geared towards relaxation. Launching from a dock that was about a 15 minute walk from our pousada, the team, plus Jay Bauman, took a boat ride along the expansive coast of Rio de Janeiro.

A lot of what Restore Brazil plans for the 7+ teams they host each year focuses on opening up the eyes and hearts of team members to all of what Rio has to offer and what God is doing here. The afternoon at Sugar Loaf, the ride over Complexo de Alemao, and today's trip along the coast have blown the team away in regards to the vastness of Rio and variety of life held here.

At one moment on the boat, we saw one of the most expensive neighborhoods in Rio that sits next to the largest slum in Latin America, all on the backdrop of picturesque mountains and beaches. The disparity of this city is sobering and humbling.

A highlight of many team members' day was hearing Jay share more about his vision and mission here in Rio and Brazil as a whole. Jay is a powerful and passionate speaker and has been blessed with a clear view of the Gospel and how it should shape global mission. This is my third trip to Rio, and each moment shared with Jay and hearing the Good News from his experiences is precious to me.

We ended the day in celebration. Today Suzana, Eric Papp's fiancée and one of Restore Brazil's main translators, graduated from medical school and is now a licensed family medicine doctor. It has been a long and hard six-year journey in school for her, so it was encouraging to share a meal and small cake to celebrate her great achievement.

This video was made for Restore Brazil a few years ago, but their vision still stands, if you would like to hear Jay share about it in his own words.

Did you read about the team's experiences on Day 5?