Open Arms Worldwide

We sent a total of 4 international teams to brazil in 2024 as well to assist with evangelistic camps and construction projects. In addition we sent two national teams to assist with flood relief in southern brazil. The initial rrt (rapid response team) made great progress, but there was still more to be done. Our partners at sos global and the evangelical alliance mission asked if oaw could send another team back to cruzeiro do sul in order to complete the restoration work on a low-income childcare facility, preparing of an elementary school in so miguel to receive children back, and conduct open arms evangelism and discipleship ministry with children in the local shelter. We returned with a larger follow-on team to complete that work.

Our third largest program expense was direct support for the operations of our brazilian partner, comunidade bracos abertos brasil. These funds were used for tuition assistance and medical assistance to children and youth selected by our partners in brazil, and for extra-curricular programs including swim classes, dance classes, and a soccer club outreach. Grant funds were also used for psychology services, and other overhead costs of the organization in brazil (transportation, rents and utilities).

The isaiah 254 building projects in 2024 were focused on the construction of a new base of operations for reaching the pantanal region of brazil, and a stepping stone to establishing ministry in bolivia and paraguay. This new base will be home to our current aquidauana neighborhood mission, as well as our open arms pantanal headquarters which will house a new missionary training school, coop, and more.

Rio grande do sul - open arms worldwide, with our partners from sos global, sent a team to the city of cruzeiro do sul in the immediate aftermath of historic flooding that swept away entire villages. There they assisted in meeting immediate needs of the residents, ministering to the children in the overcrowded temporary shelters, and working hard to get the local schools and christian ministry facilities out from under the mud and back in working order so that children could return.