Brazil Day 7

Today was a beautiful day of ministry. Many people heard my simple, uneventful testimony and again, almost every single one prayed to receive Jesus. It's almost overwhelming...distracting at times to look into their eyes as I speak, because I see their hearts yearning and being filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit.

My favorite visit, however, did not end in any salvations. The lady at one house had scheduled a visit with us for today, but had gone to the church on Sunday and received Jesus that night. I told her she destroyed my plans by getting saved too quickly!

We usually refuse to visit Christians. The reason we decided to visit her, however, is that this lady had complained often of depression, and they decided we should go and pray for her. We walked in and I thought, well, she seems ok right now, but depression is sometimes below the surface a little. It didn't take more than a minute or two for me to see there was no depression in sight.

Over and over during our visit, she just kept saying, "I'm so happy, I'm so happy!" She said she used to feel something terrible inside, but now only joy! I counseled her briefly about depression and prayed, but I doubt she will ever struggle with it again.

She told us how a few months ago her son had met a young man from the Baptist Church, the son of one of the ladies accompanying me on the visit. She said that all the other boys his age are involved in drugs and trouble, but that since he met these new friends and subsequently accepted Jesus, life in her home began to radically change.

Her husband is away all week working as a truck driver, and she used to always want her son to be home so she would not have to be alone. However, when he accepted Jesus, she began to let him spend much more time with this Christian family because she loved how he made her feel when he came home. Now she tells her son to go and be with his new family, but just to spend a couple of nights at home with her each week!

Listening to her rejoicing in how Jesus had changed her life, I felt tears of joy welling up in my eyes. My interpreter said, wiping her eyes, "Everyone is crying!" What a miracle to see! I will remember that woman and her joy for the rest of my life. If you're ever in Brazil, and you have any doubt that Jesus changes lives, you should look her up.

Tonight I preached at First Baptist Church, Sao Marcos. It was an amazing service. God's presence was so powerful and sweet. One of the most exciting times of ministry I've had. God is good.