Today, I’d like to share a little bit about my recent trip to Brazil….
After a nine hour flight from Miami, I landed in Sao Paulo — a metropolis of over twenty million! When I arrived at the airport, the gentleman picking me up said to wait inside the terminal because it would be “too cold” outside.
I was visiting the Southern Hemisphere during the month of July, which meant that I was there during their winter. Temperatures there, though, were actually similar to Iowa’s temperatures in early fall. It was very different than the winter weather I’m accustomed to as a former Midwesterner!
After a few days of exploring the city, I had my first service at IP Jacareí in SP. Throughout my time at this church, I found that everything happened with such an ease. There was so much hunger and expectation there and it made ministry easier.
I tend to walk around when I preach and often interact with whoever’s sitting on the front row. This particular time, the associate pastor’s wife was sitting in front of me and so I took her hand to pray over her. Immediately, the Spirit came on her very powerfully. This happened time and time again throughout the service with different members of the congregation.
During another service in Florianópolis, a woman was manifesting and I sensed that the Enemy had gained access to her life due to traumatic childhood events. The Spirit was moving in a tangible way throughout the room and I knew her manifestations were because of a demonic presence reacting to what the Lord was doing around her.
We were able to minister to this precious woman for several minutes and she eventually forgave those who had abused her and closed the doors the Enemy had been using to gain access. Praise God!
It was during our final service that I experienced one of the sweetest, most restful times of ministry I’ve ever had. All over the congregation, people were being taken into the Father’s embrace and you could sense shame and guilt being removed from the deep places in their hearts. I’ll always remember that as a very peaceful time of ministry for everyone involved.
Charles Spurgeon once said that “we have a great need for a savior and a great savior for all of our needs” and I was reminded of that on this trip. Even though different countries have different cultural norms and different customs, we all have the same needs. Each of us has the same desire for a savior and God is faithful to meet us wherever we are in the world — whether that’s Florida or Florianópolis.
Before I go, I want to share two quick links with you. The first is from the monthly newsletter of Global Mission Awareness where I was featured back in April. This is the ministry of my spiritual father, Leif Hetland.
The second is a video that my wife, Beth, filmed where I go into even more detail about my time in Brazil.
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Until the whole world knows His name!