Yesterday our TREK7 team, John, Jeff and I were privileged to walk alongside one of our Brazilian partners from Caju, Pastor Marcelo and his wife, Bia, in a neighborhood where they have planted a new church just one month ago. In one month, they have gone from 4 people to 40! We spent the day meeting new people and sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ.
First, it was wonderful to catch-up with Marcelo and Bia and hear the many ways that God used Pastor John Kalvig's team from Valley Southview from Des Moines Iowa, when they served with us here in Rio last March and we visited a few Life Groups in Nova Iguaçu:
- A woman recently came to Christ because of the presence of this Valley Southview team! Her father has seen such a transformation in his daughter's life that he is seeking after Christ!
- Another woman, a neighbor of the first family to attend this church plant, who had heard our English worship music lead by Dayna DePauw, had invited the pastor's wife (Bia) and I over to talk in March. We shared scripture with her and the hope that we have in Christ and she began attending the church and is now celebrating her new life in Christ! She has been so transformed in her new life, Diane did not recognize her yesterday! She no longer suffers from migraine headaches and she shines brightly for Christ!!!
- A young woman whose home we had visited with Valley Southview who recently lost her mother, has come to Christ! To God be the glory!
- The woman's father from bullet point #1 above, invited us into his home where we shared the gospel with him and prayed for him. At first he was timid about having Americans in his home, but by the time we left, he was thanking us for our prayers, our visit, and smiling and hugging all of us!
- One of our TREK7 interns, Janelle, greatly encouraged a young woman who is suffering with depression with her similar testimony. We're praying she will soon leave her house, as she has not done so in over 6 months!
- A young man from the neighborhood that stayed with us throughout the day came to Christ! (see photo below)
It was a wonderful day as the nine of us joined together with the body-of-Christ from the new Nova Iguaçu church to share the message of hope that is in Christ alone.
The TREK7 team shared an evangelistic skit and two testimonies from Jessica and Matthew.
Diane and Jeff were able to share the gospel with a group of roughly 20 children from the neighborhood who are not yet Christ followers.
Because of the donations for bibles that some of you have blessed our Rio City Team with, we were able to freely give the Word of God to those who needed one! Thank you!
Afterwards, we all enjoyed worship, a Word from pastor Marcelo, fellowship, and a Brazilian barbeque prepared by Wellington!
Although we are all from different parts of the world, it was truly a blessing to serve as one body, united by Christ!
Exalting the one True Hero, Jesus Christ!
Diane and Jeff
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