"Putting Children First: Brazilian Methodists in Action"

Putting Children First:
Brazilian Methodists in Action
Shade and Fresh Water Network, Methodist Church of Brazil
Sao Paulo, Belo Horizonte, and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
April 25 – May 5, 2006

Come explore how the Methodist Church in Brazil is putting children first in various parts of this diverse and vibrant country. Traveling to Sao Paulo, Belo Horizonte, and Rio de Janeiro, participants will learn about the history of Brazil, experience Brazilians’ warm and fun-loving attitude, as well as explore some of Brazil’s current social problems facing children and how the Church is addressing these challenges.

In Sao Paulo, the largest city in South America, participants will visit the Church’s National Headquarters, where they will meet various staff and learn about the history of the Methodist Church and its development into an autonomous church. In Belo Horizonte and Rio de Janeiro, Primetimers will visit various projects of the Methodist Church of Brazil, including the Shade and Fresh Water Project which provides children an alternative to the street, a project for handicapped children, and the place where Habitat for Humanity was started in Brazil. Each of these visits will be an opportunity to dialogue with participants, pastors, project educators and national leaders.

See the sights of the cities in each of these three locations. Take in Cristo Redentor (“Christ the Redeemer”), a 38 meter high statue of Christ which lies on 710 meter peak called Corcovado. Visit the town of Ouro Preto. Named a national monument in 1933, Ouro Preto has been preserved in the style of the 1700s and 1800s, Brazil’s colonial period. Primetimers will have an opportunity to walk around this town, visiting the baroque churches as well as various gardens and fountains. This event will require a good amount of walking, including a number of stairs.

Participants will have the opportunity to assist in facilitating a Vacation Bible School for children in Brazil. Participants will be able to tell stories, teach crafts, lead games or help with preparations.

Primetimers
A Mission Volunteers Program of the General Board of Global Ministries
The United Methodist Church
Toll free: (877) 882-4724
E-mail: primetimers@gbgm-umc.org
Website: http://gbgm-umc.org/vim/features/primepro.htm

Putting Children First: Brazilian Methodists in Action
EVENT CODE: 2MCB

EVENT HOST:
Shade and Fresh Water Project – Methodist Church of Brazil
(Advance Special # 11580)
Brazil – Sao Paulo, Belo Horizonte, and Rio de Janeiro

EVENT DATE:
April 25 – May 5, 2006

COST PER PERSON:
$1050 [includes housing, meals, local transportation, accident insurance and entrance fees]. This figure is calculated with exchange rate of $1 US dollar = $2.46 Brazilian Real. Final cost is subject to change based on changes in the exchange rate. Final cost will be calculated on February 1, 2006. Participants will be able to cancel their registration following the announcement of the final cost, if they should so choose, and receive a full refund of their $150 deposit.

Participants are responsible for their transportation to and from the event, transportation between cities in Brazil, as well as visa fees. Estimated Additional Participant Costs:
                    • Passport Fee $85
                    • Tourist Visa for Brazil $100
                    • Flights within Brazil: $250 - $350 (itinerary arranged by leadership in Brazil for you)

ROOMS: Primetimers will be housed in double occupancy rooms with private baths. Three different accommodations will be used in this event, as participants will be traveling to various cities.

MEALS: The first meal will be lunch on Tuesday, April 25 and the last meal will be dinner on Friday, May 5, 2006.

TRANSPORTATION: Participants should not make travel arrangements until instructed by the Event Contact. Participants will fly into Sao Paulo, Brazil (preferably arriving the morning on April 25, as most flights are overnight) and depart from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (preferably departing in the evening of May 5, again as most flights are overnight).

PASSPORTS/VISAS: Primetimers traveling to Brazil need a passport (valid through 6 months after the event.) Primetimers will also need to apply for TOURIST visas to enter into Brazil.

REGISTRATION: The registration deadline for this event is: February 1, 2006
Make check payable to: General Board of Global Ministries
Please send completed registration and deposit to:
Primetimers, Mission Volunteers, General Board of Global Ministries
475 Riverside Drive, Suite 330, New York, NY 10115

EVENT COORDINATORS: Gordon & Teca Greathouse, GBGM Missionaries
Tel: 55-31-3264-0936 Email: tecagreathouse@terra.com.br

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