December 9, 2008

Below is the testimony of one of the newest members of Igreja Batista Viva.  This testimony was given by her and translated for the blog.  I hope you will rejoice with us over God's grace and mercy.

    I loved my husband, but we could no longer be together.  There were many reasons like betrayal and his family (who practices Macumba) were putting spells on us.  We already had 2 children and I was pregnant with the third, when I decided to leave him.  I no longer wanted that type of life for myself.  
    When people heard that I left they said: “you are very brave, you must be a great woman to do this”.  It was not what I wanted, but I could no longer live that way.  I went home to my parents’ and tried to move on with my life.  At that time I went through depression and my cousin who attended church invited me to go.  I went and there I felt the presence of God and asked him to help me to start over.  At the time I did not even have a job.  I talked a lot with God.  After a few days I was able to find employment.  I then realized that God is faithful and that I could trust him.  
    Later my cousin moved very close to another church and began attending there.  I went with her and I met some amazing people.  I learned that there are certain things we must go through so that we can become stronger and obedient in the faith.  God once again tested me and showed me what He can do and what we can do.  
    On June 2007 my youngest son (Yan) was at his father’s house.  He was supposed to visit for 3 days, but on the 2nd day he called me saying that Yan had a lump on his shoulder and had a high fever.  I asked him to take Yan to the hospital and I’d meet them there.  The doctors examined him and admitted him for a biopsy.  Alone I went home, gathered some clothes and food; I knew the road ahead would not be easy.
    After that I did not go home, I stayed with Yan everyday.  We found out that he had abdominal cancer and it had spread around his lungs.  But my faith in Christ was big and I had peace, my ex-husband would ask me: why is it that you do not cry?  You are not fussing at me?  I answered:  because I talked with God and you know what he told me? “Your son will be healed and you will tell this to all people!”
                                                          
                                                

    At the end of July Yan went through some tests and the doctor came to tell us that she did not understand, but they could not find any cancer in my son.  I told her it was a miracle from God!  We left the hospital and went to church to thank God for Yan’s life.  We shared it with the whole church and we were all very happy.
    Until this point I had never been discipled and was never baptized.  I had a desire to be baptized but it was financially difficult for me to get to church, that is when I found Igreja Batista Viva in my community of Vila Nova, lead by missionaries Pr. Joacyr Magioli and his wife Rosangela Magioli.
    It was there I received the discipleship I needed and for three months I prepared for baptism.  For the glory of God on November 23rd, 2008 I was baptized along with 3 other brethren and today I am a member of Igreja Batista Viva and I live a happy life with my 3 children.