So of course we didnt get to meet this woman till just after we had our communication time so none of us wrote about her but if Communication day was on Saturday night I think I can say with certainty that half of our blogs would be about this woman. But of course we have had a whole week since then and so much has happened but I will fill you all in.
Last Saturday we met a woman named Elisangela, at least thats how she pronounced it, but for short people call her Alissa (I spell it the same way as my name because its said the same way all the Brazililans, and pretty much anyone whos first lanugauge isn`t English says my name ¨ah-LEE-sa¨).
And oh my what an inspiration this woman is! She has such a heart for God and for his children. She missions to people in Cuba, literally risking her life, so she can tell the people there about Jesus. She was telling us how she had lived there for a year and it took her over 3 months to make a disciple because the people there are so cautious to get close to anyone. She told us that in Cuba,1 in every 10 people that goes to church is a spy for the government, so Cubans dont trust anyone in fear that they will be reported. Yet by the power of God she was able to start a church and disciple to people and give them hope.
Now that she is back in Brazil she has a ministers to youths in Belo. She has such a heart for the youths here. Many of them dont think about the future, beleiving they dont have much to live for. She told us many of the girls here get pregnant young thinking that is all they will amount to. She ministers to youths to show them the love of God and that they can do great things through Him.
Both her misistry to Cuba and to the youths in Belo she started herself;the first time she went to Cuba she went alone. That blew me away. I would not have the courage to go to another country to mission the people by myself. Yet she was so humble about it, she gave thanks to God for all of her success and abilites. I found her such an inspiration, that even though her ability to mission to Cuba is limited now, because she is a mother now (her daughter is super cute) and because the Cuban government is trying to keep her out of the country. She still intentionally goes out and tells people about Christ in her own country. I saw so much of what I want to be in Alissa, she is amazing.
Lucky for us we get to help her in her youth ministry! In a few weeks were going to go and stay in the city (instead of the country outside the city), and help her in her ministry and I am super excited about it. There will definately be some blog posts about that, till then!
God is good!
