“Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”
“Ele disse-lhes novamente: ‘A paz esteja convosco! Como o Pai me enviou, também eu vos envio’.”
John 20:21
Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
My name is Ethan Bald, and I am seeking spiritual and financial support to go on mission to the people of Brazil in the mountain favelas of Rio de Janeiro and Petrópolis. My goal is to raise $2,750 for this trip. I was inspired to go on mission during a trip with my home parish to the 2024 SEEK conference, where the Holy Spirit moved my soul to radically serve others. After this moving experience, I still felt some doubt if I was the right person to go on a mission, until my pastor, Fr. Gary, reminded me in a homily, that “Christ does not choose you because you are qualified, rather He qualifies you by calling you, giving you the grace to bear His witness to the world.” With this added boost, I started looking for opportunities to serve and found FOCUS and Mission Brazil.
In 2024, while teaching English at a public middle school near Boston with the AmeriCorps, I discovered a deep admiration and fraternity for the Brazilian culture and people. I had dozens of Brazilian born students, many of whom spoke with great love for Brazil, but also a deep sadness for the conditions that led their families to flee. After much prayer, I contacted FOCUS to join their 2025 mission in conjunction with Mission Brazil-Diocese of Petrópolis. I found the intersection of faith and works, love of God and neighbor, immensely fulfilling, and decided to repeat my mission with FOCUS and Mission Brazil in 2026. Now, I am seeking to return for a third mission and will need both financial and spiritual support.
In my most recent mission to Petrópolis, I lived, prayed, and worked in the favela Independencia. For context, favelas are overpopulated, unplanned, unorganized, and often unpoliced slums, usually heavily influenced or controlled by gangs. While in Independencia, my mission group spent mornings in the streets with translators from Mission Brazil, sharing the Gospel and praying with people. In the afternoons, the local pastor, Fr. Leo, opens the cellar of St. George’s Church for local youth to avoid gang involvement and to experience Christ. Despite the difficulties of poverty and violence in their favela, these teens are on fire with their faith. During a group discussion, I expected typical questions about fundamentals of faith or God’s existence; however, I was shocked.
One teen asked, “many of my friends at school mock me for practicing my faith, how should I pray for them and for strength?”
My mouth nearly hit the floor because many of the others nodded at this being a common struggle. I answered with scripture, “blessed are you when they utter every evil against you for My name’s sake,” and “Father forgive them.”
Remembering Fr. Gary’s words, and inspired by John’s Gospel, I intend to return to this area of Brazil, March 5th-13th, to continue preaching the Gospel, praising God, and loving our neighbors. Unlike my previous trips, I will not be participating in FOCUS. I was invited by Mission Brazil as their first individual American Missionary. As such, donations will not be tax deductible. Your support is critical for me to purchase my plane tickets, acquire visas and insurance, and pay for my share of lodging and food, among other expenses. I ask you to consider contributing to my GiftSendGo or contacting me directly with questions. Thank you in advance for all your support!
Where: Petrópolis, RJ, BR
When: 3/5/2027-3/13/2027
Fundraising Deadline: 1/5/2027
Cost: $2,800
