There’s something really special about the youth here in Brazil. Three years ago, I came here with a team on a mission trip. One night, during the ministry time, we were praying for people who needed healing. I remember a girl no more than 10 years old came up to me, I asked her what she wanted prayer for, expecting the request was for healing, but she simply said to me, “I just want more of God.”
“And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 18:3
Her simple request was genuine, powerful, and I believe we can learn from children how to approach God.
It’s been interesting on this trip because I seem to have a lot of opportunities to spend time with the youth here.
Singing Like A Frog and Speaking at a Cell Group
Couple weeks ago, my friend Pedro asked if I could sing for worship at the youth group. They couldn’t find anyone else to do it but I was getting over a cold, so my first thought was to say absolutely not. However, God told me to accept and tell him I would do it. I had no idea why!
It didn’t go that great. Well, Pedro said it was fine but nobody sang with me, because I sang in English, and my voice wasn’t very strong because I was sick, so honestly, I was really embarrassed up there. But you know what God told me before I went on that stage? “Sing to me, daughter. Just sing to me.” And friends, I really did. I made a fool of myself for God, but at least I know He was smiling. 🙂
Afterwards, I got to talk with the kids and get to know them better, which was really great. Who cares if I sounded like a frog? God likes frogs! And if I had not been there, I would have missed the opportunity to know these amazing kids.
Little did I know, these were the same kids I would speak to later that week…
My third week in Brazil, I met a lady named Larissa and she had asked me to speak at her cell group. I didn’t know she was the leader of the youth and her “cell group” was with these kids!
Yet, God knew all this ahead of time. He had helped me prepare for this message for two months and whether it be for adults or kids, it was what I was meant to share. The title was: God Can Use Anyone To Do Anything.
I shared about my adventure in Hong Kong, how God setup me up, and used me in a way I had never seen before. I was unprepared, without experience, and yet because He was leading it and it was His Spirit at work, miracles happened and God changed people’s lives. I would love to share the full story about that time in another post.
In summary, I was explaining to them that God only desires that we would be willing, that we would trust Him, and have faith in Him, and He does the rest.
I shared a story of when I was at a prayer room at my church. It was four years ago. I remember this woman who had a broken leg was sitting next to me. So clearly, God told me to pray for her but I was terrified. “I can’t heal her, God! This is too big for me. What if she doesn’t get better? What if the prayer doesn’t work?” I was paralyzed in fear and unfortunately, she left and I never prayed. God asked me, “Daughter, why didn’t you pray?” I said it was because I was afraid she would not be healed. He told me something I’ve never forgotten. He said, “Daughter, I did not ask you to heal her. I only asked you to pray. The healing is what I do. You only need to do what I ask of you.”
By the grace of God, later this day I met another woman with a broken leg and this time I did not hesitate when God asked me to pray. No, her leg wasn’t miraculously healed, but that wasn’t the point. It was just important I followed His voice.
I told them they could have bad grades, live in poverty, crippled, or be super smart, wealthy, and healthy and it didn’t matter – God could use them right where they were if they were brave enough to follow Him.
And I truly believe they will…
I was looking at these faces as I spoke, so hungry to know God, just like that little girl I met years ago. I saw Warriors, Princesses, Righteous Ones, Friends of God, Teachers, Poets, Worshipers, Servants, Seekers of Truth… Children of the King. During worship, one girl just laid on the floor, completely surrendered to God… and she’s only 13. God is going to use these kids to do wonderous things. I’m really excited about it.
The Lord told me to ask if any of them faced fear because they felt inexperienced, or pressured like I felt, or that they needed to know exactly what to say before they could speak. Do you know almost all of them raised their hand? Even my translator? Haha! But seriously, fear is a real thing that is trying to silence the children of God, I really believe that.
God gave me this verse in 2 Timothy 1:7 that says, “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline.” His Spirit does not cause us to shrink back, but to be brave.
God told me to have them all go on their knees and to pray over them, the same prayer Paul prayed for the church in Ephesians 3:16-21. It was a prayer for them know God’s love and find their strength in Him. Friends, it was one special night.
Playing A Messed Up Viola At A Young Adult Meeting
The next night was quite funny. My friend Luiza invited me to her small group for young adults. An hour before leaving, I received a text from her asking if I could bring my viola to play with her brother while he played guitar and she sang. No problem! I may not be able to sing, but viola is my thing!
About 10 minutes before I needed to go, I thought, “Hm. Maybe I should tune my viola before leaving.” Well, lo and behold, I forgot I had not played since I returned from my last trip and if you don’t know this about stringed instruments, you have to loosen all the strings before going on a flight. My viola was a complete, stringy mess! I tighten the strings, but usually a viola needs about an hour of playing for it to adjust and stay in tune. I had less than 10 minutes.
I did what I could, but on the drive I was really worried about it. What if it went out of tune while when I played and it sounded horrible? I know I was already embarrassed once this week, but again? I probably have some pride I need to deal with, and really it shouldn’t have mattered, but still, I thought, “C’mon, God. Please let this work tonight.”
We were preparing to play, I was tuning my viola (again), and God said to me, “Play to me, Daughter. Don’t worry about your viola. Just play to me.” We didn’t have any rehearsal, there was no way to know what it would sound like, but I felt such peace then. With my viola in my hand, I closed my eyes, shut out the world and I played to Him. Do you know my viola completely stayed in tune the entire time? O there is a God and He loves me!
Afterwards, Luiza’s brother came to me and said, “Katya, that was so beautiful. The moment you hit your bow to the string the entire atmosphere changed in the room. And I’ve played with other musicians, other violinists, and celloists, but it was really special tonight. I could tell you were completely playing to Jesus.”
Can you believe that? It was only God because Lord knows, at first I just wanted to sound good. He helped me to get my focus in the right place, and from there, God blessed them. I can’t work miracles, but Jesus surely can! It’s also really cool because her brother invited me to join the worship team at the church when I return in November. I need to pray about it, but in any case, it’s an honor he asked. 🙂
The “See You Later” Surprise Party
Since I spoke at the youth group, I’ve been going to their meetings and I keep falling more and more in love with these kids. They are so funny and amazing. On Sunday, I played my viola at the youth church – which was super fun – and then last night, they threw a surprise party for me! I leave on Monday so they all came to say goodbye to me. It was the best. We had a bible study, played games, ate too much brigadeiro (basically, a fudge ball with sprinkles) and laughed the night away. I love them and I’m so happy this is just a “see you later” and not a “goodbye”.
Friends, it’s been great getting to know the youth and young adults here. They are some kind of wonderful and I’m looking forward to getting to know them better when I return. Maybe you can pray for them with me, for them live bravely, to know God, and follow in His footsteps wherever it is He may take them.
Pray they would have adventures with Jesus!
Till the next adventure,
Katya
