Missionaries for Brazil

Missionaries have done invaluable service in establishing a solid organizational structure. The first two missionaries, graduates of the first class of Gilead School, arrived in Brazil in 1945. By 1967 the number of Gilead graduates had increased to 76, and it reached a peak of 117 in 1974. Some served for decades in the circuit and district work, as did Richard and Ruth Wuttke and Eric and Christina Britten. Down through the years, some 250 missionaries from 11 countries have served here.

Generally speaking, the people in Brazil show respect for foreigners. Nevertheless, adapting to a new country with different climate, food, language, and customs requires determination and a good sense of humor. Sylvia Gustavsson, a missionary from Sweden, recalled: “The first return visit my husband, Östen, and I made in Brazil was on a married couple in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais. After talking with them for about an hour, we said that we should be leaving. ‘It’s early. Stay a little longer!’ was the answer. Thinking that they were really interested, we sat down again and continued the visit. A half hour later, we repeated that we should be leaving. ‘It’s early. Stay a little longer!’ they repeated. This happened three times, and finally we left at almost midnight! This drama was repeated on following visits, until we learned that the expression ‘It’s early. Stay a little longer!’ was merely a polite way of expressing appreciation for a visit, without necessarily meaning that one should stay longer. Happily, the couple’s interest in the truth was genuine!”

[Picture on page 158]

Missionaries and other Gilead graduates in full-time service, with their spouses, during visit of zone overseer in 1996