Hey friends,
Last week, I flew to another city in Brazil to meet-up with a friend of mine. I came on Friday, she thought it was Saturday, and oh that was just the beginning of my adventure.
I could tell you all the details of the ways Jesus worked good out of the crazy during my time there, but that would take too long so I will just share three special stories from that trip.
1. Speaking At A Church & Listening To God
My friend invited me to her city earlier this year before I came to Brazil when I was back home and had just booked my airline ticket. She invited me to come and speak at her church. I laughed when she asked because listen, I haven’t gone to seminary school, ministry school, bible college or whatever you go to learn how to preach. I didn’t have training and I felt unqualified to teach anyone how to live their life when I was still trying to figure out my own.
However, there’s something incredible that happened when I went to Hong Kong in April this year (a story for another time), and on that trip, I learned that God can use anyone to do anything. No training needed.
“So he said to me, “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty.” – Zechariah 4:6
So, a month ago I accepted her offer and told her I would speak at her church. By His grace, God had put a message on my heart and showed me something He wanted the church to do.
Here’s what happened: My friend translated, and I spoke for 15 minutes or so. Not long. The Lord wanted me to share about Psalm 81, about His desire for His people to listen to Him, and I shared some stories.
Then we gave God 20 minutes to speak.
It was so beautiful.
We were quiet, the pianist played a beautiful melody. It was a time for the people to spend with God, to thank Him, to be honest with Him, and then to listen.
Before going to the church, my friend and I brought crayons and paper because God told me He wanted 20 minutes that night for people to practice listening.
God speaks through our imagination, hence the crayons. Sometimes, it’s a song, a picture, words, a bible verse, an idea, a memory… all of it and more can be God’s way of speaking. So, they were able to write or draw anything that came.
At first, I wasn’t sure if they were hearing anything. They could have been doodling for all I knew. But if anything else, I figured it was a good exercise to sit down and create space to listen to God.
The rest of the night was really special, being able to pray with some people and such, but because of the language, it was hard for me to understand what exactly God did, until the next day. My friend said her Whatsapp was full with messages from people saying they heard from God, and all that He spoke to them, and the healing that happened for them.
I couldn’t believe it!! He spoke and they heard Him! Wow, thank you, Jesus.
That was only one night of my trip….
There are just two other really special moments I’d like to share.
2. The Home For Girls Rescued From Sex Trafficking
The day after that night, my friend took me to a home that houses girls rescued from sex trafficking and prostitution. For almost 7 years, I’ve had a desire to work with girls who’ve been through this kind of trauma, and to actually be there with them and hold them and laugh with them… it was beyond words. My heart was broken and full at the same time.
We drew pictures together and did some origami together, it was so fun but at the end of the day one girl, Jess, looked deep into my eyes and asked if I would be coming back. I wanted to tell her I would never leave, but of course, I had to. But what is so amazing is that she knows Jesus now, and He is with her, and they have some incredible women working there who can share His love with her each day.
I hope to come back one day and hold Jess one more time. She was so precious but only 14 years old. I can’t imagine the things she’s lived through, but seeing her beautiful smile, I know there is a God. Only love can make that kind of beauty from ashes.
3. Seeing Prostitutes Experience God’s Love
The last day of my trip, my friend had a meeting with a couple who go to the streets and pray for prostitutes. The wife is from Canada and the husband is from England. They’ve been in Brazil for about two years, and their mission is to love.
When my friend came back from the meeting, her face was shining. She told me all about it and how, if I wanted to, we had enough time before my flight to go with them. Now, my face was shining too!
This was the first time I had done something like this so I was excited but really nervous. What would I say? What would I do? I felt all of a sudden like a teenager again with all these insecurities. But as I talking to God about this He said to me, “Daughter, can you pray?” I was like, “Yes. Haha. I know how to pray.” And He said, “Okay, then just pray as you are with them. Don’t worry about what to say or do right now. I’ll give you the words in that hour.”
“But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.” – Matthew 10:19-20
We went and met a few different women, prayed over them, and my friend was so dynamic. She just had so much encouragement for them, and I think it meant a lot coming from her because she is Brazilian and could speak in their language, (Hopefully, that will be me too one day!) It was so simple, just go and love. When they saw we didn’t want anything from them except to pray, to talk, and love them, their walls came down.
We met a lady named Kelly and she was really special. We prayed for her and she began crying. My friend hugged her and as she held her, I watched Kelly’s face. I’ve never seen this expression before. It’s like she was able to breathe for the first time in a long time, as though she hadn’t been held like that since she was a child, or like she was in a safe place for a moment and never wanted to let go… I don’t know another way to describe it but I’ll not forget that face.
She was experiencing God’s love and I literally saw what it was doing to her.
She was a different person. Guys would pull up in a car, waiting for her to get in, and she just ignored them and kept talking with us. The couple told us that usually, the girls will make an excuse to leave and get in the car, but she didn’t.
Then God told me to take her hand and tell her that she was a precious princess and a daughter of God. I actually knew those words in Portuguese! So, I did and she thanked me and gave me a big hug. I didn’t have a lot to say, but God gave me just those words in that hour, and I think that was something special.
God loves her so much. He loves all of them. Again, my heart was broken for them, yet full because they were experiencing His love for them. I just wish I could take them away from all the pain and hurt and take them to a place without any suffering. A safe place. A haven.
I hated that we got to walk away while they had to stay there.
I want Kelly and the other girls to live in freedom and maybe one day I can do more. Yet, right now all I can do is pray.
Back To My Brazilian Home…
I’m back in my room, with the memories in my heart, and still so amazed by God. With all the hurt in the world, I’ve been thinking lately how I would rather go through life with God than without Him. I don’t know I would be able to walk through hell without knowing I had a Savior. That’s the thing, this world has so much suffering, it’s like an inferno but how amazing to know this is our promise:
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.” – Isaiah 43:2
I wasn’t expecting to go on a mission trip within a mission trip, but I’m glad it worked out that way. My next trip is coming up tomorrow. I leave to yet another city for 10 days to spend time with a friend and their family. The husband mentioned an opportunity to speak at a youth night, and I’m bringing my viola with me this time too and maybe I will have some worship time with them. That’s all I know so far.
Only God knows what He has planned next!
Till the next adventure,
Katya
p.s. Hey friend, remember to keep the girls in your prayers, ok? We can’t see them, but they’re there and need people to pray for them. Your prayers are special because God hears them and responds to your heart. Thanks so much for doing that. You’re awesome.
