Brant and Mary Lane Newsletter (Fall 2024)

What A Summer!

Over 220 team members gave up their summer to serve the Lord with Teen Missions, and what a blessing it was to witness their passion to share the Gospel through work and evangelism. Twelve teen teams and one preteen team began their training in mid-June in Florida before leaving for their designated project sites. From the first day of Boot Camp, it was evident by their enthusiasm that it was going to be an incredible summer. 

Our biggest prayer during the year before our team members arrived was that they would be excited and eager to share the Gospel, have a good attitude and be receptive to what the Lord had prepared for them. We prayed that they would have team unity and rely on the Lord’s strength throughout the summer. We also prayed for unity within our leadership team. 

We led the Brazil teen team that included our son Jesse, two assistant male leaders (Corey and Eugene), one female assistant leader (Lacy) and 15 teens from the USA and Canada, ages 13-18. It didn’t take very long to see that this was going to be a different summer than others that we’ve experienced. This group seemed excited to be here and were eager to work together. Our Boot Camp experience went well. The team was challenged spiritually to give their struggles to the Lord so they could grow in their relationship with Him. They were also challenged in their work classes (cement mixing, digging, construction, painting, etc.), and evangelism classes that also included puppets and drama. Any struggles we dealt with were more spiritual than anything. Praise the Lord, we didn’t have any major discipline issues. 

From Boot Camp to Brazil, we saw the Lord move mountains, sometimes in the matter of seconds. We shed a lot of tears that came from those answered prayers. Our lives were forever changed. The biggest hiccup with our team happened through traveling to Brazil. We had delays at the airport that ultimately caused us to miss our flight to Brazil. During that time of waiting, our team didn’t waste any time in the Orlando and Atlanta airports. They asked if they could share the Gospel with others, whether it be passing out tracts or talking with people one-on-one. They even sang songs in the airport. This group wasn’t afraid to stand on God’s Word. Because of ticketing issues that caused us to miss a connecting flight in Brazil for our final destination, our team ended up in an airport for 36 hours. We only left because a nearby church, through a team member’s family connections, volunteered to pick us up and house us in their church. This church family in Sao Paulo had been praying for an opportunity to be the hands and feet of Jesus, and they did exactly that. They brought our team their own mattresses so everyone could have something to sleep on, blankets, sheets, towels and rags. They had a warm Brazilian meal waiting on us when we arrived around 11 p.m. and continued to house/feed us for the next four days. As much as we tried to get them to let us cook and do work for them, they didn’t let us because they wanted to serve us. The president of the church even gave the boots off his own feet to one of our team members whose boots were falling apart (and the boots fit our team member perfectly). Wow! This was such a humbling experience, and it allowed us to see how we should be living for Christ, serving others sacrificially. That is what this beautiful church family did. The Sao Paulo church family was an answer to our prayers, and they would tell you we were an answer to theirs.

Our team did finally make it to our project site, and although our original ministry and work projects changed, we were able to get a lot accomplished by God’s grace! The team shared presentations at several churches and a local Bible college, and ended up completing multiple work projects on the property where we stayed including pouring 150 feet of concrete for sidewalks. Our team wasn’t perfect by any means. We had our occasional difficulties and sickness that ran through some leaders and team members. But God…He really created a bond between our 11 guys and 4 girls, 1 leaders’ kid and five leaders. If we could’ve extended the trip for a few more weeks, we would’ve in a heartbeat! We did not want to send them home. The Lord answered our prayers for our team more than we could’ve imagined, and we were honored to be their leaders. We pray for them and miss them so much, and we can’t wait to see how the Lord uses them for His glory. 

Our Children

Annabelle, Allison and Jonathan also served on different teams. Annabelle didn’t go with Teen Missions, but she served for about two weeks with Refuge 139 in Germany. She ministered to children of missionary families while their parents were in meetings. She also had to complete a summer internship at a church in Manning, SC, for her Worship Leadership major. She is now at Charleston Southern for her senior year of college. Allison served with Teen Missions on the Malawi Leadership Development Team. While in Malawi, they built a pavilion that will serve as a meeting place for their church/Sunday school. They also had the opportunity to participate in children’s ministry at the Teen Missions bases in Malawi. Allison is now in her senior year of high school. Jonathan was a part of the Philippines team. They worked on mixing and pouring concrete for a driveway at the Philippines Teen Missions base and also had ministry opportunities while there. Jonathan is in the 10th grade now and is going to Merritt Island Christian (along with Allison). It’s his first year not home schooling. Jesse continues to home school and is in 4th grade. 

Now That We’re Home

We had the opportunity to be in South Carolina for about a week in August where we spent some time with family while also sharing as often as we could at some of our partnering churches. We also enjoyed hosting a partner appreciation dinner at our home church in Turbeville. It was such a blessing to see and visit with everyone that attended. It’s a great reminder that we can’t do any of this on our own. It is truly a partnership, and each of us has a role. We wouldn’t be able to serve if we didn’t have everyone that is praying, encouraging and/or giving. Thank you for your role on our ministry team! 

We are now at home in Florida, trying to get back in a routine with school and serving at Teen Missions. The calendar seems to be filling up with different events that are going on, so even though the summer ministry has concluded for now, we stay busy. Please pray for us as Brant and I will be preparing to lead an adult team from the Southern Methodist denomination to one of our Teen Missions bases in Honduras. The trip will be November 8-15. We’re excited that others will be able to get a glimpse of what Teen Missions is doing around the world!

Thank you, again, for your faithful encouragement, prayers and giving. It’s such a gift to be able to serve alongside so many who are eager to help fulfill the Great Commission. Thank you for being a part of that! We love you and are also praying for you!

Love,

Brant & Mary











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