By Albert E. Sousa
JANAUBA, Minas Gerais, Brazil-- I've visited Brazil many times since I began ministering to the five members who were baptized in 1979.
Those five have now multiplied to 30, and at least six more are awaiting baptism. Growth may not be spectacular, but it has been arduous, steady and on a faithful path.
Thirteen members live in two small groups between the coastal cities of Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.
Twelve more members are scattered throughout the country hundreds or thousands of miles apart.
Five members live in Janauba. They have done much to shine their light in the small city where they live and work.
Dona Maria, as she is called, is an example of using her spiritual gifts. She took more than 100 children from the neighborhood, obtained permission to use a children's school from the city mayor and began teaching the Bible to them.
Every Saturday afternoon she evangelizes the children ages 5 to 10 through Scripture reading, drawing biblical characters and singing Christian hymns and secular songs.
She is assisted by her own children and other members, who also teach reading and writing to 50 illiterate children.
Dona Maria is a talented singer and composer. She teaches her new songs to the children and they love it. Not an easy task for a married woman with 17 children who in times past had the misfortune of seeing five of her children die of malnutrition. She has undergone many operations with deep pains and discomforts. She is not totally healed, but she must also work to bring extra income.
Dona Maria's expression of joy and happiness is all over her face every time one approaches her. The last time I talked to her during a 28 day visiting trip trough Brazil, I asked her how the children's school was doing, and she said: "Absolutely fantastic. I teach the kids to sing, how to love Jesus, obey their parents, be good in school, stop cussing and stop fighting."
She also mentioned that "the parents are noticing remarkable changes in their children's behavior."
After the Christian schooling sessions on Saturday afternoons, Dona Maria offered a merenda, a type of mid-afternoon snack that the poor in the area appreciate.
When the funds ran out, she was forced to stop offering the snack. People in town told her that the children were showing up for the food and not for God. But surprisingly, more children showed up without the food.
During my visit I conducted an evangelistic campaign in town. The members helped by distributing invitation leaflets. I also had a radio interview explaining the church's mission in Brazil and inviting people to the lectures. Attendance was good at the lectures, but almost all came because of having personal contact with Dona Maria and other members.
The little flock in Brazil is hardly noticed, except by those who come in close contact with Dona Maria and others like her. Much is yet to done in Brazil in helping to spread the gospel, but this modest beginning will certainly grow in the coming years.
Albert E. Sousa is the subregional coordinator for Brazil living in Miami, Florida.
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