We have left the falling leaves behind us to exchange it for a humid tropical climate. How much we enjoy the variety of birds and flowers in this country again. And being woken in the morning by screeching parrots.
Brazil a country 200 times the size of the Netherlands with only 12 times the population. A land of opportunities.
Our journey started in Sao Paulo, South America’s largest city.
For the first few days, Marcelo and Cristina welcomed us hospitably into their home and we were able to recover from the hustle and bustle of recent times.
Although… leading a Bible study the very next day is not one of them, of course. Because how wonderful it is to meet a group of people on the other side of the world who are just as happy with Jesus and to hear their special adventures with God.
We knew that our friend Marcelo had miraculously recovered from covid 3 years ago. But we hadn’t heard the elaborate story yet. We don’t want to withhold this from you.
Marcelo ended up in ICU because of covid and he was doing very badly. He told us that in a period of 12 days he died 3 times and came back again. The doctor still calls him a walking miracle.
When he died the 3rd time, he came out of his body and went to heaven where he experienced God’s intense love and fulfilment and Jesus spoke to him. Jesus told him that He does not want religion and asked why we as Christians hold back and bury our talents when He has made everything available for us. Just as there is always abundant oxygen around us, so His resurrection life is always abundantly at our disposal for everyone around us. Jesus also told him never to forget to be thankful in everything, for that is the will of God in Christ Jesus for us. (1 Thessalonians 5 verse 18)
At the same time, Cristina was in the ICU with others and they commanded death to depart and spoke life over Marcelo. His heartbeat returned and he was able to go home within a week.
This experience made Marcelo even more enthusiastic and fervent to share God’s love and life with others and further encourage Christians to walk in freedom. And his message is now enriched that Jesus does not want religion, but disciples who share His life with others.
What a wonderful God we have. There is so much more ahead of us. Let us always be grateful to walk in it!
This coming weekend we will be in Paraty, a city on the coast between Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. There we have been invited to speak at a 2-day conference.
The party is on!
No responses yet