On June 10, 2014, 20 members of the Dallas Baptist Men's Soccer along with three DBU staff traveled to Curitiba, Brazil, as they take part in the DBU Global Sports Mission Initiative representing Dallas Baptist University overseas.  Below is a day-by-day account of their mission trip to Brazil.

Day One Blog:
The team is in the full swing of things in Brazil. After a two hour flight delay in Miami, the team arrived in Brazil at 9:30 PM on Tuesday checked into the hotel at midnight.. With the team exhausted, they were informed to expect an early morning (6:15 am) departure time the following morning. So, the team quickly got much needed sleep.

Before the team arrived in Curitiba, the city experienced a large and unexpected downpour flooding much of the area. The natives said it felt like three months of rain fell within just three hours. 50,000 people were displaced from homes and two fatalities were confirmed within the city. DBU was originally scheduled to serve on a construction project, but plans were adjusted to incorporate supporting relief to individuals that were affected by the flooding.

The players and staff worked today in a clothing distribution center to help separate clothes for families in need. The team was able to experience multiple conversations with local individuals while serving. Players were also able to view the destruction of the recent flood to put things in perspective. It was a tall order to fill due to multiple donations, but the team completed everything before day was over.

The team spent the evening hearing about Lions Raw (local organization in Brazil), Greater Europe Mission (GEM) and the city of Curitiba. The city is a beautiful place, but there is much work to be done. All organizations expressed their long-term commitment to Curitiba and Brazil. It was wonderful to see the passion each organization has for the city.

"We are excited about our time here in Brazil and can't wait to see what God has in store for our team on and off the field" Head Coach, Chris Crawford said. "I am looking forward to our guys showing the love of Christ to the people of Curitiba!"

Needless to say, the guys are currently getting much needed rest. Tomorrow (Thursday), the Patriots are set to play the semi-professional team of Parana at 9:30 a.m. local time, and then will enjoy the excitement of the World Cup Opening Ceremony. Please pray for the players and staff as we love on the people of Brazil and serve in many different capacities throughout the week.
 
Day Two Blog:
The Patriot Soccer Team started the day on Thursday with a early morning match versus Parana Futbol Clube semiprofessional team in Curitiba, Brazil, at 9:30 a.m.  Although the Patriots were defeated 2-0, they were able to experience true Brazilian Soccer. 

The game started out fast and the players were full of emotion as both teams were excited about the opportunity of friendly competition between different cultures and playing styles.  While Parana played a possessive type style, different from what the Patriots usually see, DBU adjusted to the Brazilian ways and were able to put pressure on the offensive half a number of times in the first half.  Parana broke the scoreless tie 15 minutes into the match before extending their lead to 2-0 just before the break. 

"To be able to play a team of that quality and skill on this trip was a huge blessing and a great challenge, which we handled well.  God has provided so much on this trip already and is at work daily," Junior Chuck Schober said.

The second half proved to be the Patriots half as they were able to force Parana back on the defensive and produced multiple opportunities.  Unfortunately, DBU was not able to capitalize and put the ball in the back of the net, but they were able out shoot the semiprofessional team to finish the match down 2-0.  After the match the teams were able to have great interaction and conversations (with the assistance of translators), view Parana's lockerroom, living quarters, and trade team jersey amongst players as a well-known soccer tradition.

"First and foremost we would like to thank God for this amazing experience.  Being able to play a team of their caliber was great.  This opportunity as a whole on and off the field has been one that myself and the team will never forget," Junior Cameron Gilbert said.

After the match the team returned to the hotel for lunch and some much needed rest before the evening activities.  The city of Curitiba completely shut down at 12:30 p.m. Thursday afternoon as Brazil is host to the 2014 World Cup.  Even businesses such as banks, restaurants, supermarkets, and shopping centers closed their doors so that they could be a part of the host nation's event.  The Brazilian National Team competed against Croatia immediately after the Opening Ceremonies in the tournament's opening match.  The team was able to interact with locals along with the Lion's Raw staff as they watched the highly anticipated World Cup match.

Friday, the team will be serving with Lion's Raw at a local clothing distribution center to help provide much needed clothes and essentials to the city's flood victims.  
 
Day Three Blog:
Curitiba, Brazil: Friday in Curitiba started early for the team once again with a 7:00 a.m. hotel departure.  The team seemed rejuvenated after a good night's sleep Thursday evening and ready to serve.  After a 45 minute bus ride from the hotel the team was split into two groups, serving at separate service organizations.

Each group was able to serve in similar capacities at clothing distribution centers in the city. The groups were able to collect clothing donations, sort the clothing articles, and then were able to interact with the local Curitiba people by passing out clothing and hygiene supplies in poverty stricken areas.  The locals were extremely gracious for the donations and the DBU team was able to show the love of Christ by giving, with the majority of the people speaking only Portuguese. 

One of the groups was also able to split up and assist with the FAS organization a few miles outside of downtown Curitiba.  FAS assists in housing a space for kids around the city to provide a safe environment for the kids to play away from any danger the streets might hold.  The DBU players were able to speak with some of the kids (ages 8-12) and even play soccer and basketball with them during the afternoon.  The kids seemed to be truly excited that Americans would take time to come all the way to Brazil just to hang out and love on them.  Both the kids and the DBU players had a great experience.

"Coming to Curitiba has made a large impact on me.  The way that we have been able to help out in so many different ways and work with so many different people has been an eye opener for all of us.  I can't wait to see what the Lord has in store for us in the coming days," said Junior Landon Lacy.

"Brazil has been an amazing experience thus far.  From interacting with locals and attempting to bridge the language barrier with government workers to bringing necessities and showing the love of God to Curitiba's poorest, we have experienced first-hand what it means to go out into the world and share the light of Christ," Junior Andrew Byrd said.

Saturday will consist of the team traveling in the morning to a juvenile detention center for kids under 18 years of age to assist with maintenance and friendly interaction with the kids placed in the center.  After dinner the team will attend First Baptist Church of Curitiba to work with the youth group.  Please pray that the DBU players and staff with have the strength to continue serving at full strength for the remainder of the trip.
 
Day Four Blog:
Saturday turned out to be a truly great day for the DBU Men's Soccer Team in Curitiba, Brazil.  The team traveled to a juvenile detention center early for kids under 18 Saturday morning and were quickly accepted as friends of the facility, the kids, and the staff. 

On initial arrival to the location, the DBU group was informed that their job for the day was to begin a painting project on the facility grounds.  DBU was challenged to paint the entire 2000 square foot building, inside and out, within two days.  The team was excited to begin the project, but a delay in delivery of the paint allowed additional time for the players to interact with the kids in conversation and friendly games of soccer on a local dirt city field.
 
The paint finally arrived on-site mid-morning with the DBU team eager to begin their work.  After a good sanding of the interior and exterior of the building, the players were able to get one full coat of fresh paint on all walls.  The staff was very gracious and excited about the outcome.  The team will be heading back to the local detention center in the morning to complete the painting project along with interacting with some of the kids.

The team departed the detention center just after 4:00 p.m. to head back to the hotel to get ready for an evening youth worship service at First Baptist Church in Curitiba.

"Tonight, we had the privilege of going to the First Baptist Church in Curitiba. We experienced worship with the Brazilian youth group, and this was a great opportunity for the DBU group. Being able to worship God in another country is always a highlight of our Global Sports Mission Initiative and tonight, it was no exception. The guys had the honor of worshipping with brothers and sisters in Portuguese and to hear a message from an English-speaking Nigerian that challenged us to walk in the ways of Christ.

The church was very gracious to us and allowed us to speak about DBU and our experience serving in Brazil thus far. We are so excited in continuing our time of service throughout the rest of our trip," Director of Global Missions, Chris Holloway said about First Baptist Curitiba.

"Brazil thus far has been an amazing yet eye opening experience.  Just after a few days here I have been deeply humbled.  Sometimes we all take things for granted, but after serving the locals I have realized how blessed we are.  I thank God for this once in a lifetime experience and cannot wait to continue serving," said Junior Cameron Hatch said about the trip.

Please continue to pray that God will give the DBU group strength physically and spiritually throughout the remainder of the trip. 

Day Five Blog:
The DBU team was able to continue their work at the juvenile detention center early Sunday morning (8:00 a.m. departure).  It was a great accomplishment for the team to complete the painting project as the detention center only has a few volunteers working full-time. 

It would have taken the staff over a week to complete the task that the DBU team was able to complete in a day and a half.

It was an amazing avenue for the DBU players with the youth at the detention center by using service and soccer to show the love of Christ.

After a full day of service the team returned to the hotel to clean up for dinner and trips to a shopping center and to First Baptist Church in Curitiba to a traditional church service.  

"Today, we finished up with the painting at the detention center.  Our DBU players have done a great job working the past two days on this painting project and throughout this entire week.  The Lord has given us a great opportunity to serve a community that needed assistance with the recent flooding.  I hope that our service to others has shown our love for Christ and to the people of Curitiba," Graduate Assistant Coach Austin White said.

"I think the work we have been doing has been a great experience for everyone involved.  Not only have we as a team had the chance to paint and repair a word down (juvenile) center for the youth of Curitiba, but we have also had the opportunity to affect the lives of the kids in the center.  Whether it is through our work, conversation, or even through the sport of soccer, we have affected the lives of many troubled kids here in the city and hopefully have shown the kids what the word of God is about and either brought them closer to our Savior or introduced them to God," Sophomore Brandon O'Donovan said.

Monday will consist of a friendly soccer game between DBU and the Lions Raw Organization at 11:00 a.m., and then the team will take some time to visit the local markets before watching the USA National Team play on TV.  After the USA game the DBU team will head to First Baptist Church in Curitiba for a pick up soccer game in the evening for fellowship with the youth and staff.   

Please pray for the Men's Soccer Team as they continue their time in Brazil.  Also, pray for all of the people in Curitiba and across the nation in this exciting time as Brazil is hosting the 2014 World Cup.
 
Day Six & Seven Blog:
he DBU Men's Soccer Team had a great final two full days in Curitiba on Monday and Tuesday.  Monday the team was provided the opportunity to eat lunch at an authentic Brazilian steakhouse before walking to the Soccer Stadium of Curitiba where the city would host an official World Cup match between Nigeria and Iran. After the team returned to the hotel Team USA played their first game of the World Cup and the DBU team was able to cheer the team to victory as they watched the game with some of the Brazilian people. After the game, the team as able to play some friendly soccer with the Bacacheri Baptist Church and First Baptist Church of Curitiba at a local city turf indoor/outdoor faculty. It was a great time for the DBU players to interact with the Brazilian people.

On Tuesday, the morning began with a daily devotional by Senior Cameron Garner before the DBU team was able to serve at a Portal Do Futuro (small sports complex) in the struggling village of Cajuro. The players interacted with the youth in and around the village through teaching soccer skills to the small kids and playing games with the older and more advanced ones. They were able to engage in the lives of these kids through sport and show the love of Christ.

After the skills lessons with the DBU players, a professional Brazilian freestyle futbol juggler put on a show for the kids. It was an amazing atmosphere for the youth to see. At 4:00 the DBU players were able to fellowship with the youth as they cheered on the Brazilian National Soccer team against Mexico. The kids were so excited that the organization and DBU players were able to allow them to view the game. A majority of the kids around the village do not have access to television and being able to watch their favorite team. Hopefully the DBU players were able to bless the lives of these kids through a mutual love for the sport of soccer.

"Today was a great day!  We got to play soccer with kids and watch a World Cup game with them.  To see how much of an impact you can make by playing soccer with them is an amazing experience.  I never thought that soccer could be so useful when trying to connect or show them some love.  This trip has been an awesome experience and I will forever remember each of every moment of it.  God has truly blessed us and even though we came here to serve, I feel like I have received more than I could ever give," Freshman Gerson Mendoza said about the trip.

"Traveling with the DBU Soccer Team gave me the opportunity to serve one more time in my home country, Brazil.  It was great to be part of this amazing group and participate at the local communities such as the Detention Center, the IPCC (Curitiba Community Citizenship Institute), and the Champion Center for Kids.  At these places we have the chance to share God's love to others, especially with the kids.  I am thankful to be here with the team and I truly believe that The Lord brought each one of us to Curitiba to represent as servant leaders for our university," DBU International Admissions Recruiter and Liason, Luiz de Jesus said about his time on the trip.

"What an amazing trip and opportunity this has been for the team and for everyone involved.  Being able to serve in so many areas, interact with locals and other tourists here to support their national teams, and for our players to use their God given talents on the pitch to demonstrate their love for the game and for Jesus Christ has been truly amazing.  This trip is something the guys will remember and cherish for a lifetime.  The bonds and chemistry that come with a trip like this is something that will continue to change and grow our team and our campus," Head Coach Chris Crawford said.

Wednesday will consist of a quick local market shopping tour before departing Curitiba, Brazil for Dallas by way of Miami, Florida. The team will arrive in Dallas at approximately 3:00 p.m. on Thursday afternoon, June 19.