WHERE: São Paulo, Brazil

WHEN: Internships can be scheduled any time of year with approval

WITH WHOM: ACTION Brazil field workers Wellington and Paula Alves (pictured together with their ministry partner Luana Costa) who serve as the leaders of Casa Esperança (Home of Hope)

Overview: This is an opportunity for female interns to become Jesus’ hands and feet to refugee women and children who are beginning their lives anew in São Paulo. You will work alongside career field workers to assist women and their children adjust to their new home, all the while showing them Jesus’ love and care on a day-to-day basis.

Q & A with Wellington and Paula Alves

1.  What are some ministry tasks that you want the intern to accomplish while serving with you?

We have various roles that interns can fill. These include roles as a Children’s Ministry Worker, Bazar and Donations Assistant, Workshop Leader, and a General Service Assistant. The tasks that interns can complete would be dependent on the role they are suited to, but all assignments would in some way involve serving and supporting the women and children who are living in the house or help to care for the ministry’s property.

If the intern was able to speak Portuguese, or the language that the refugees speak, there would be more possibilities for doing discipleship and evangelism. If interns have a specific skill they’d like to teach the women then we could also consider creating a way for them to do that. Also, depending on what was organized, it may be possible to serve in one of the other ACTION São Paulo projects some days too.

2.  What would a typical day look like?

On weekdays, interns get up 7 a.m., have devotions at 7:30 a.m., and breakfast at 8 a.m. There are daily morning activities at the ministry property that interns can participate in. Lunch is at noon and then interns join in for afternoon activities which could include art classes and an afternoon tea.  Dinner is usually at 7 p.m. and then we have evening Portuguese classes from 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. twice a week and a devotional on the days there aren’t classes at night, which interns can attend. On Friday nights we have a leaders meeting as well.

On Saturdays interns have free time to explore the city or get involved in other ministries. We occasionally have activities with the women and children which interns can participate in if they’d like such as birthday parties or other celebrations. 

On Sundays breakfast is later at 9 a.m. and we have lunch at 1 p.m. At night, most people go to a local church and occasionally there is a service at Casa Esperança so interns could participate in these services at the local church or at our house.

3.  Please list specific skills an intern may expect to develop by the time the internship is completed.

• Understanding the challenges of refugees and how to meet their needs
• How to work as part of a team
• Portuguese language skills
• How to live harmoniously in close community