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Hunger Pains
What could I say about the struggles and victories of missionary life that could one day lift up and help another struggling on their way to being a missionary or perhaps another fellow Christian who is struggling in their call? Me, as a rookie missionary, I can tell you my testimony and witness of the wonderful things that I have seen the Lord do. Life is not easy as you are getting to know another culture and another way of life. Coming from a first world country; it is sometimes difficult to go without some of the things that we have deemed ‘necessary’ for such a long time. The spiritual blessings and rewards are worth a million times over what little you lose in material comfort.
Learning to wash clothes by hand, eat rice and beans everyday, walking in the hot sun, learning to ride city buses to get everywhere that you are going, the long bank and post office lines and many other inconveniences that eventually become a way of life for you.
It has almost been 7 years since I first stepped off of a plane onto Brazilian soil. I have seen so much and my life has changed dramatically in these years. The sight of men, women, and even little children filled with the Holy Ghost thrills your soul. Yet it leaves a hunger pang in your soul to see the thousands of other children, some who live on the street, others that live in abusive homes or extreme poverty meet Jesus who can change all of that. Young men who have no hope to get a decent job turning into thieves or beggars and young women washing clothes in a river or a dirty faucet in places that look like your local garbage dump pass our eyes each day.
Sometimes, one might wonder, where might God be in all of this misery? But then, I walk into one of our little brick churches, surrounded by poverty, wickedness, and depravity and see the saints faces filled with light and joy. As they worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness, they rejoice in the fact that God has taken them out of their mud hole and has brought them to be a part of His church. Young people singing for the glory of the Lord, content with just a little guitar to accompany them as they cry in His presence. God trades our ashes and transforms them into beauty. The testimonies of the saints of what they ‘used’ to be and what God has made them grips your heart and you remember that this is why I am here; this is why I must keep telling them about the Lord and His precious Word.
Friends, God has been good to Magno and me. He has brought us together in this place so that we can work for Him. We don’t claim to be great or perfect people nor full of talent, but we do feel a calling, an urging from the Lord that burns in our hearts to share the gospel with the poor and tell of deliverance for them that are bound. We have an opportunity to travel further northeast into Ceara and Maranhao, jungle area to help share the Gospel in these areas. Our vehicle which we use constantly in missionary work, sometimes overloaded over really rough roads at times needs some minor repairs and some good used tires to be ready for the trip. We feel after much prayer that the Lord is leading us to go on and try to help reach other with the Gospel. Could you help us go? With $150, we could get four good used tires and the repairs could be done for less than $100. We will also need help with gas and our food along the way.
Most of all, we ask you to please remember us in your prayers. Pray that God would open door for us to reach more of these precious souls; that God would give us the capacity and the wisdom to work in His vineyard; for a might outpouring of His Spirit whenever His Word is preached.
If you would like to partner with us in missions or give a one time offering, please contact us at our stateside address or responding to this e-mail. May God richly bless our American brothers and sisters who share our burden for the souls in Brazil.
Respectfully yours,
Sis Amy Santos
North Brazil Missions
1421 Linden Drive
New Castle, IN 47362
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