View more photos of the Brazilian volunteers

JOHANNESBURG — “I will never be the same,” said João Batista. “I will go back [to Brazil] a different person. This has changed my life.”

A Brazilian volunteer mission group, 200-strong, has come to South Africa to minister during the World Cup. Representing 25 denominations, they come under the coordination of the Brazilian Baptist International Mission Board. They are here to share the Gospel through soccer and health clinics; puppets and plays; and arts, crafts and sewing classes.

Group leader Marcos Grava said: “When we do this kind of outreach during Olympics or World Cups we don’t focus only on the tourist. We focus also on the local people. In this case we have concentrated our efforts and resources, energy and time on the African people. But we also go in front of stadiums.”

Volunteer José Lopes has a heart for children and brought his puppet, “Ronaldinho,” to help him better connect with them.

Lopes also has a heart for Muslims. After serving for several years as a missionary in northern Africa, Lopes went back home and helped plant the first Baptist Arab church in São Paulo. So it is no surprise that he is also interested in finding and reaching out to Muslims while in South Africa.

He discovered there are 600 mosques and 400 Muslim schools in the Johannesburg area. As the Brazilian volunteers went out to visit in a neighborhood, Lopes came upon some of those Muslims and was able to share the Good News with those who showed interest.