A Floating Ministry: Students Serve Villages Along Amazon River While on Mission

16 students lived on a hammock boat while providing health care, local outreach to villages in Brazil 

Last month, 16 Belmont students traded in the comfort of May in Music City for mission work in remote villages along Brazil’s Amazon River. Led by Drs. Chris Barton and Elizabeth Schoenfeld, students spent a week living on a hammock boat while providing medical care, dental services and children’s programs to indigenous communities in the area.

"It's easily the one week that has become my favorite week of the entire year," said Barton. "You get to give students things that you can't give them in a classroom, like perspective, and hopefully help them understand that there are needs that extend all over the world."

The trip is organized annually with Justice and Mercy International (JMI), an organization founded by Rolling Hills Community Church over 15 years ago. JMI operates in Moldova and Brazil serving vulnerable populations. 

Barton and Schoenfeld’s trip separates itself from Belmont’s other mission and study abroad offerings in many ways. 

First, the students slept in hammocks on a passenger boat that served as their home for the week. Hammock boats are common sights up and down the river, according to Barton, allowing passengers to travel along waterways like cars on roads, especially during times of immense flooding.

The boat was equipped with a kitchen, restrooms and multiple levels, making for a once-in-a-lifetime experience for those participating in the mission trip.

Each day, the students worked alongside Brazilian staff members who served as translators. Together, they established health and dental clinics, ran day-long children’s camps similar to vacation Bible school, conducted house visits with local families and established a local library. 

"What stood out to me the most about this trip was God's heart for all His children," said senior social work and religious studies major Kayla Wilmann. "The way that nothing — not language, age, culture or location — can separate God from His people, because of His great love for them. The hearts of people there were also incredibly inspiring. They welcomed us with beautiful hospitality and truly treated us like family." 

This year’s expedition was the third led by Barton, a program that has now allowed around 70 students to serve along the Amazon River since its inception. 

"I would encourage any student who is considering going on mission to do it,” said senior biology major Lauren Melton. “College is the time to leave your comfort zone and try new things. Even if you aren't religious, there is so much to learn and experience through service on mission. Lastly, I really believe the Lord blesses us when we live into the callings He places on our hearts." 

Barton hopes students will carry their newfound perspective back to Nashville and beyond. In the past, some participants have even gone on to partner with local organizations in Tennessee or participate in other international missions. 

“My goal has always been to teach them and help them understand that there are needs that extend all over the world,” he said. “After meeting some of those needs on this trip, maybe that sparks something in them to come back home and serve with organizations and meet some of the needs that are in their communities.”