Transformation of Algodao de Jandaira, (cont.)

The Lord was at work at First Baptist Church, Valentina, even if not everyone knew it at first. Including Pastor Eneas. His wife, Simone was, however, seeing God break into their practice times, and when Vtoria finally came and told her of the dream, Simone did not reject it outright. She said they would pray about it. For one thing, Vtoria could only remember the first part of the name, Algodao, which means 'cotton' in Portuguese. Secondly, they could not find any such  town on any map that they looked at. So Simone suggested that she, and Vtoria and Vtoria's friend Joselie pray and ask the Lord for clarification. That afternoon Vtoria agonized with the Lord and pledged that her family would not eat until the Lord showed her for sure. As she prayed on the living room rug, the Lord told her to go to her daughter's room, and there in a brand new Geography textbook, she found the town...Algodao de Jandaira. When she called Joslie, Joselie had a man at her house from the church who was doing repairs. When Joselie asked him if he had ever heard of such a place, he cried out, "Algodao? Algdoa de Jandaira? I grew up in that place! It is so needy!"

That began the determination that they would go to visit Algodao de Jandaira. However, they had very little money and no one in the choir, the worship team or the dance team had a car. So they held bake sales to pay for gas and borrowed an old Volkswagen, and in summer of 2002, they made the first journey to Algodao.

In a prayer meeting before they left, Vtoria had another vision, this time she saw the dirt road and the town, and a little girl with curly uncombed hair, blue shorts and a red blouse. Four of them piled into the car and made the 3 1/2 hour trip north. As they pulled off the pavement onto the dirt road that lead to Algodao, they were silent with anticipation. As they drove further, Vtoria was exclaiming that this was exactly like her dream! When they turned the corner and saw the town they were shocked! The town consisted of two streets, and mostly mud stick houses. The terrain was just grey. They realized that these people were poorer than they were. As they drove slowly through the town, three times, this little girl with curly uncombed hair and blue shorts and a red top walked in front of their car! Quite a confirmation, and quite a welcome!

They parked the car and broke up into teams to visit with the people. As Vtoria came to the third house, she could hear someone inside. As they stood by the window, she could see an old man sitting at a table. He was praying..she could hear him... "Lord we need you, please send missionaries to help us! Please send your angels to help us!" Weeping, Vtoria cried out, "sir, the Lord has answered your prayers, we are here!"

That began what became monthly sometimes twice a month visits from Joao Pessoa to Algodao de Jandaira.
They would go house to house and tell of the love of Jesus. They would bring food and toiletries, but all that they did felt so inadequate compared to the great need. But they remained faithful. Through 2002, and 2003.

As they continued their "mission" to Algodao, God began to bless their church. It seemed that the destinies of these two were linked in a very spiritual way.

At Christmas, 2003, the people of First Baptist, Valentina decided not to celebrate Christmas in their usual way, they would take Christmas to Algodao. They held a great celebration, brought gifts and shared the true meaning of Christmas. As they left, they were glad, but felt again like they had contributed so little to the great need of Algodao. Only God could help, it was too big a task for them.

Next time....God answers in a way no one would have expected !