For over 25 years, David and Laurie have served faithfully with the International Mission Board, living on mission in Brazil and sharing the hope of Jesus Christ. David teaches in seminaries and speaks at conferences across the region while Laurie mentors new missionaries, walking with them as they learn a new language and culture and the rhythms of cross-cultural life.
The Bledsoes’ journey has been rich and rewarding, but like all who serve overseas, they have experienced seasons of weariness. There are times when the long flights, cultural transitions, and constant pouring out leave them in need of rest, renewal, and reconnection. That’s where Bellevue’s mission homes have made an indelible mark.
“We’ve stayed in five of the mission homes,” Laurie said. “It’s an amazing gift that Bellevue offers—not just a house, but a home. We feel like it’s a place of peace.”
The Bledsoes, like many missionaries, often return to the U.S. after grueling travel and arrive not just physically tired but also emotionally drained. Having a fully-furnished home ready for them, complete with a kitchen, fresh linens, and a well-kept lawn, has provided a special place to breathe.
“A lot of missionaries will travel from 20 hours up to three days to get back to the States,” Laurie said. “And for a Life Group to minister to missionaries as they come in is so special. We’re worn out from traveling, and it’s a blessing to know we have a safe place to come in and unload.”
But it’s not just the practical provision that stands out—it’s the people behind it. Different Life Groups at Bellevue ensure each home is clean, prepared, and thoughtfully decorated. Their first time in a mission home, the Bledsoes walked into a home that had been set up with flowers ready on the table, a stocked kitchen, and even a generous Kroger gift card to cover their basic necessities.
“When we arrived, there were flower petals on the floor,” David said. “We just cried. It felt like someone had thought of everything.”
These small acts of kindness become monumental when you’ve spent months or years away from the comforts of home. Laurie and David see the mission homes as a continuation of Bellevue’s commitment to missions—the homes serve as a way for the church to live out “pray, give, go” in a deep, tangible way.
“It makes us feel like the church is with us,” Laurie said. “We go to Brazil knowing we’re sent out, but when we come back, we’re always welcomed home.”
The Bledsoes express deep appreciation for the teams behind the scenes—the volunteers who clean and prepare the homes with intentionality and love.
“They may never meet the people staying there, but their ministry is real,” David said. “It has eternal impact.”
For the Bledsoes, Bellevue’s mission homes have become more than just a place to stay—they are a haven, a bridge between ministry abroad and the church family that continually supports them from home.
“When missionaries know there’s a place for them, it means they’re not alone,” Laurie said. “It’s a way the Body of Christ shows up for one another.”
If you’d like to join a mission home team and live out missions in a hands-on way, text MISSIONS to 901901.