Corinne de Alcântara in Brazil

My Missionary Years

I had been thinking of going on mission for a long time, but never really knew whether it was the moment or not... I had been talking to the pastor and his wife about it not long after they started at BIEC. And finally, in October 2006, I really thought it was the moment for me to make a decision, it would be now or never! So I started to look at the internet, searching for ways to go abroad as a missionary, and I praised the Lord for my job, because as a teacher, there is a huge need and I was amazed to receive many replies when I first started to apply! It has been difficult to choose which country I would go to. After a lot of prayer and talking to different brothers and sisters in Christ, I had peace in my heart about going to Belém in Brazil!

So in August 2007, I was flying to Rio de Janeiro, and then to Belém in Pará. It has been a great experience, not easy for sure. First challenge was to teach in English with the American Curriculum... and second challenge was to teach both 3^rd and 4^th grade together, while in my native language, French, I never had two grades in the same class! I also had to wake up very early as devotions started at 7am... and I have some problems sleeping early, so it has been another difficulty! But challenges are there to make us learn more and grow in the Lord! Getting involved with other missionaries has been a bit hard for me at the beginning, maybe because there was hardly anyone of my age, and maybe because I had a double culture shock... American and Brazilian, nothing Swiss, hehe!

What I enjoyed very much is that teaching in a Christian School means that one can talk about the Lord! When there is a fight, or some students are having a problem, one can pray with them, one can talk about Jesus to them. This has been such a blessing! I remember some students asking for prayer when they had had a fight, and then they would feel better and give each other a hug. I also love remembering about that girl who would ask so many questions about Jesus, as she didn't know anything about Jesus before coming to the school. There are missionaries' kids in the school, and there are some kids of rich people, who can afford having their children study in an International School. When I first arrived and understood about the system, I thought it was not really nice because I was not helping poor children in the streets! But then I realized that the rich need to hear about the gospel too! I truly hope that some of these kids will have other people talking to them and that seeds will keep being planted and grow. This is what the Lord promises us. He wants us to plant the seed, no matter if it's the beginning or if it's ready to blow, what is important is to plant! God always has a bigger plan!

Another real blessing has been the fact that here in Brazil, I met the man who was going to become my husband :)! The school teachers (missionaries) are having a Sunday Service in English in the afternoon. So there again, many Brazilians come with the goal of improving their English, or learning English. But our goal is to plant seeds, and many Brazilians have already given their life to Christ through this service, praise God! I met my husband there, we got to know each other and then got married! We are so happy to have met, this is a huge blessing the Lord had for me! The biggest ever!!!

So after one year working in Belém, the Christian organization that was employing me decided to move me to the NICS School of Rio de Janeiro (with my agreement), as there would be more work opportunities for my husband in the South than in the North of Brazil, as well as for other reasons. So in August 2008, after getting married, I started to teach the 3-years-olds in the NICS Christian School of Rio de Janeiro! I had never worked with this age group before, but guess what? I loved it! I thought I wouldn't, because usually I get bored with little ones! But hey, they were so attaching, cute, loving, that I just fell in love with them! I had a great year teaching this age, together with another work colleague, a Brazilian woman. It was much more relaxed, I think that I did double work during my first year in Belém and then had more free time during the second year of my contract! I enjoyed telling the kids stories about Jesus, seeing how interested they were, and when they prayed and talked about Jesus, it was just too cute! I pray that these kids could talk to their parents, as most of them are not Christians. May many families come to Christ through this school!

My husband got a transfer for his studies in Rio de Janeiro. First, they didn't want to accept a transfer, we were worried about his professional situation. And there again, that was just a miracle that happened. We met a man, dad of the twins I had in my class, who was the president of a big company. He was so humble, and said he would try to help. Two weeks later, the school that wouldn't accept the transfer called Adriano (my husband) to tell him his transfer was accepted. It was so much joy! So my husband did this course as well as another one so that he would have more options of work later on. He finished both of them at the end of 2009.

In August 2009, I was given the 1st graders. They were so lovely, I loved these children very much as well. However, teaching phonics and everything in English is not easy for someone who is not a Native... I have been thinking, for different reasons, that I was slowly being led into a new direction. And at the beginning of 2010, I decided to end my contract with NICS. Actually, without going into too many details, I could feel that the school, which has been through lots of changes in the last year (change of director, policies, ...) was looking either for Native speakers or for Brazilians who are accredited by the government, and I am none of them. Many teachers are not Christians, but the values are well respected. So I felt it was time for me to move on to a new direction. I also needed a break, so I took some time to think and pray about my future. My husband, after a prayer of faith with our pastor, found a job (that was not in his area, but at least a job!). Wow, that was so great. The Lord provided him with a job right after I stopped working and after he got his diplomas! And after two months in that job, a company called him to offer him a nice job in his area! We are so thankful! My husband has been working in this job since then, and it's a real blessing! He gets benefits for me, health and dental insurance, as well as a food card, bus card, etc... We can see God's faithfulness, it is just amazing!

We are also happy to have a church! In Brazil, I don't find it easy to have a good church! We found one, and since last October, we have been attending their courses on Sunday mornings. First the Disciple School, then the Servant School, and finally now the Leader's School. We are also getting to know our brothers and sisters in Christ during the service on Sunday evening, it is great we found this church!

So in one sentence, my years as a missionary have been wonderful, one never regrets decisions like these, and what I would say is that even if I am not a missionary anymore, we are all missionaries wherever we are, as it's what we are called to be... let's not forget this, God can use us anywhere and everywhere! I would like to thank once more so very much all BIEC for your prayers and the financial support you gave me while I was a missionary. You have blessed me in so many ways!

Much love and many blessings to all of you.

In Jesus, Corinne