They Weren’t Joking

That’s exactly what happened on a sweltering day in Benevides, Brazil.

Drew and Fernandinho two young adults in Brazil on a GO Trip, were cooling off and playing in the pool with teens attending a day camp. It was a special day, organized with Word of Life Brazil to benefit local public-school children. The time was filled with fun and games, but most importantly the gospel message. That's where they met Tiago.

Tiago and two other young boys kept drifting back to Drew and Fernandinho as the day went on. Whether it was at the poolside playing, or during small group time where they discussed the Faisca (Spark) magazine.

They shared jokes, played games, and talked about life—even death.

It was just a quick comment from Tiago. A joke, really. The kind that masked something deeper. But Fernandinho caught his comment about death and dying. He leaned toward Drew and whispered, “Don’t forget why we’re here.”

Over the course of the day, laughter turned into deeper conversations with the boys. The interactions grew ever more meaningful. Each conversation quickly became an opportunity for Drew and Fernandinho. An opportunity to share their eternal hope with these young men.

As the walls came down, Tiago soon quietly admitted he was still grieving the loss of his grandmother. He mentioned that he’d been struggling with depression. But here, in the presence of new friends who saw him and listened, he found space to trust, to talk—and to hope.

For Tiago, that day wasn’t just a camp. It was a doorway to learn about eternal life in Jesus.

For Drew and Fernandinho, it was a powerful reminder that trust is built through connection—and that trust opens the door to the gospel.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.” Proverbs 3:5-6