Get to know Cynthia a bit more…

Cynthia’s story:

Cynthia is what you would call a "second generation" missionary.  Her parents, Dave and Barbara Taylor, were ABWE missionaries in São Paulo, Brazil, for 27 years. She was born there and lived there until she was 17 years old. Her family often teased her saying that she was more Brazilian than American. She loved helping her parents in their ministry, but in her senior year of high school, her whole world changed when her father suddenly passed away on the field.

Cynthia returned to the States to attend college at Baptist Bible College (now Clarks Summit University), and during her final year, she felt God calling her to missions. She turned to ABWE for guidance and, wanting to confirm her call, she went on a two-year mission trip to a smaller city in Brazil in 2008. She loved it, but the experience was the polar opposite of the bustling city of São Paulo.

When those two years ended, she wasn't sure what the "next step" would be. Up to this point she had always lived her life in 2-4 year increments as an MK (missionary kid). The thought of surrendering her life to career missions scared her. So, she returned to her college and worked as a graphic & web designer. She enjoyed the work but couldn’t shake the gnawing feeling that God was calling her to do more. She went on several mission trips and in 2010 God made it so clear to her that He was leading her back to Brazil as a missionary. In spite of her fear of returning to the field alone, Cynthia trusted God and arrived back in São Paulo in 2013 to minister to the people she loved and in the country she loved.

“I was living the missionary life and loving it. I discovered that God was all I needed,” Cynthia said. “And then God blessed me and showed me He had someone He wanted me to walk alongside.” And that is where Odir comes into the picture!

In 2018, shortly after giving birth to their son, David, the Brandãos had their most difficult and scary year. Cynthia was hospitalized for blood clothes and a mysterious bacteria (seriously!) in her brain that initially was treated like a tumor. It took a whole year and more than 13 MRIs for Cynthia to finally be completely discharged from her doctors. Praise the Lord for taking care of her!

Favorite verse?
"I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." Galatians 2:20

Favorite food?
It's too hard to choose!  I love Italian, Brazilian, a good hamburger- but my ultimate favorite is sushi!

Which would you rather do: Sky-diving? Roller-coaster ride? or Back-packing through the jungle?
Hmmmm... In the past I would not have hesitated with this answer, I would have loved a roller coaster ride. But today, after my brain injury, I get headaches and dizziness still so I would much prefer a relaxing day at the beach. :)