On the 7th August 2003, eight very eager yet apprehensive members of the Ballee Baptist Brazil Team left Northern Ireland on a journey that would not only change our scenery and climate, but which would ultimately prove to change our lives and that of many others.

For just over two weeks we imposed on the Jones’ household in Santa Cruz, Rio Grande do Norte, in the North East region of Brazil.  From day one our timetable was hectic to say the least, working alongside Billy and Agnes in their daily ministry - Bible studies, prayer meetings, men's and ladies meetings, children's meetings and numerous visitations to include but a few of the activities.

For the team, one of our main responsibilities was the Children's Outreach which saw a 3-day Bible club open in a part of the Paraiso in Santa Cruz that had been previously unreached by the gospel.  This has led to a weekly Sunday school being started in the area and is attended by a good number of children and some parents.  Just recently saw the first convert at these meetings.  A 5-day Children's Bible club was also held at the Fundamentalist Baptist Church in the Paraiso, where Billy is Pastor, attracting large numbers of children from the surrounding area, with most days over 60 in attendance.  Some even took time off from school to attend the meetings.

Countless other meetings and open airs involving the team in one form or another were held, and usually at very late notice, if at all!!  As a team we were constantly kept on our toes, always willing to introduce ourselves in 'perfect' Portuguese, testify or sing should we be so called to do in the middle of a service! But God indeed blessed us and our time in Brazil, as we had the glorious privilege of witnessing 9 young souls saved by His grace and mercy during the children’s outreach and others were saved at meetings in which the team were involved.  We continue to praise God and rejoice over the news of 8 more souls saved since the team's return.  Due to the number of souls saved during this time Billy has now commenced new convert classes that, are also being attended by some unsaved.

Some team members had the privilege of helping out at meetings in Sao Bento with David and Christine Bell and also had the joy of meeting one particular lady who was a member of the church during James and Dorrie Gunnings time in that part of Brazil.

Furthermore, God granted and presented us with what can only be described as astounding opportunities.  We were invited to participate in four radio programmes, two of which were to a non-christian audience, and each time the gospel was declared clearly and directly.  Arranged visits by a couple of team members were made to the two local hospitals, not only creating much interest in the team, but more vitally, opening the doors for Billy to make further visits and extend the ministry. Two other members had the opportunity to visit the local schools and were expecting to speak to the students in their classrooms but on arrival at the schools found that classes had been suspended and the whole school was in assembly ready to listen to what they had to say. 

Additionally, the Mayor of Santa Cruz requested a meeting with the team, much to our surprise and delight, enabling us to present him with a Portuguese Bible suitable inscribed and signed by all team members.  In return and much to our surprise the Mayor commissioned a local sculptor to make and present each team member with a beautiful gift made from local soapstone.

This is to name but a few of the activities undertaken by the team during our 2 weeks work in what can only be described as one of the most naturally beautiful, yet physically and spiritually deprived areas in the region.  However, the most striking and poignant impression of Santa Cruz was the friendliness and openheartedness of the people.  Both non-believers and believers alike showed real kindness and accepted us with great warmth and gladness.  This alone is a wonderful reflection of the Jones family and an indisputable testimony of the relationships that they have built with the Brazilian people, based on trust and Christian love.

Before we left Santa Cruz we were able to show a little practical love by whitewashing both the inside and outside of a house belonging to a couple who attended the church and who perhaps materially had very little.

As a team, we enjoyed many times of sweet fellowship with our brothers and sisters in Christ, and each of us left with an indelible mark on our hearts from the touching friendships and lasting memories made during our time in Brazil.

As we try to settle back into our busy lives here at home we say ‘To God be the glory great things He has done’ and we thank and praise the Lord for letting us have the privilege of playing a small part in all that was accomplished during out trip.

Team members: -

Stephen Irons (Team leader)

Rachel Williamson (Co-leader)

Linda Irons

Pamela Livingstone

William Knowles

Billy Cull

Geoffrey Kennedy

Laura Irons

Christine Bell translates as one of the team testifies at an open air in Sao Bento, the area which David and Christine Bell work in.	Millatao whose house the team painted on their last day in Santa Cruz. Millatao and his wife attend the small church in the Paraiso.	Stephen presents the Mayor of Santa Cruz with a Bible on behalf of the team on a visit to his office.
The team sing at the Open Air held each Saturday morning at the market. Amazingly people stop to listen.	David & Christine Bell with their daughter Esther and twin sons Joshua & Caleb. The Bells are also missionaries with ACRE Gospel Mission and work in the town of Sao Bento.	Stephen & Bill take part in a radio broadcast for Radio Santa Cruz.
The last day of the Bible Club held in the Paraiso church.  Everyone loves to have their picture taken.	A typical side street in the Paraiso district, close to where the church is situated.	Walking through Santa Cruz - those on the left are on their way to the afternoon Bible Club.
Agnes teaches 'Fishers of Men' to the group of children gathered at the creche for the first 3 day Bible Club. This was the first outreach in this area. A weekly Sunday School has now begun.	The men's meeting the day after we arrived. This was our first meeting with the people of the Paraiso church.	The women's (and children's) meeting in the church at the Paraiso where after the main service we did a craft to get to know our new friends better.
Bill with some of the local children who come along every time the church lights go on!	Sarah, Billy & Agnes's 8 year old daughter teaches the team some Portuguese - she is a very strict teacher!	The Jones family - Billy, Agnes Sarah and Rebekah, serving the Lord with ACRE Gospel Mission in the town of Santa Cruz in the North East of Brazil.
	Tonino, a town councillor in Santa Cruz, and a member of the local church pictured here with Willy & Bill. Tonino was a real help and a blessing to us all as a team. As a very small token of our appreciation we gave him one of our team T-shirts explaining his outfit here!