On September 15, 2015, I was working overnight at the shipping company in Brazil where I was employed. The director of the company told us that as of January 2016, the company would lose important contracts. Soon there would be no job for me. But then I remembered I had been asking God to do something. Suddenly I was happy. I knew God was closing one door and opening a new one. Now was the time for me to go to America. I told people everywhere that in the next year, I would be moving to Orlando. Many of my friends thought I was crazy and tried to discourage me. “Thiago, it cannot be done!” they said. “There are too many obstacles!” But I trusted that if God had put this dream in my heart, He would make a way. I kept studying and praying and saving. On February 22, 2016, I finally realized my dream. Leaving my parents and brother behind was more than difficult, but I’ve found God often asks us to leave treasured things behind to step into our purposes. Once on the plane it hit me…it was just God and me now. He was all I had. Fear tried to rise up in my heart. I had no idea what would happen when I landed in Orlando. Would I even make it through airport immigration? I had to keep going back to God’s Word, His promises, and His faithful character and remind myself, “God is already there. Don’t be afraid!” I arrived in Orlando on a one-way ticket and a six-month tourist visa. I had a small amount of money, but no job, no home, and no car. But I had a dream…and I had God. That’s all I needed. Upon arrival, I said three things to God: “God, I want to live in America legally. I want to serve You every day of my life here. And I want to live here permanently.” Being in this country legally was important to me. My parents taught me to respect the laws of the land. My responsibility is to live a life above reproach with a clear conscience. God will take care of the rest. A Brazilian friend allowed me to spend a few nights at his home until I could find a permanent place to live. One morning, I was out running and singing songs of praise to God for allowing me to realize my dream despite being poor. As I ran, I heard these words, “Give 10 percent of the money you brought to America back to Me.” “Are you crazy, God?” I argued. “I don’t have work or a place to live. I need this money.” I had come with only $3,800 to start my new life. But again, God said, “Give Me what belongs to Me. Trust Me.” I wrestled with God’s request. When I walked in the door, my friend told me I had to move out within the week. He needed the space for another friend from Brazil. “Wow, God. You ask me to give You the tithe, and now I have less than one week to find a place to live? I have no job, no car, no bike, and now no place to live.” I was so scared, but I knew I had to trust God and obey Him regardless of my emotions. I went to the church and gave $380 that very day. “Here, God, it’s all Yours. I trust You.” But I was scared. In Brazil, I was the one blessing others; now I was the one in need, and God was blessing me through people I didn’t even know. I prefer to give than to receive, but God is teaching me the blessing in both. I found a room to rent at 10 p.m., the night before I had to be out of the house. When the owner of the home showed me to my room, tears welled up in my eyes. I had been sleeping on a mattress on a floor, and now I had a room. There was a bed and a closet—just for me. It was like a palace! God had provided more than I could hope for. Transportation was a big deal for me. The devil liked to remind me, “In Brazil, you had a car and lots of friends. In America, you are alone and you have to depend on others to get to do anything.” Sometimes I would feel sad, but God used this time to teach me to rely on Him for all my needs. Even going to Walmart! One day a leader of my church life group saw I had no transportation and bought me a bike. With my new bike, I could go to First Baptist Orlando regularly. I would ride my bike in the hot Florida sun for over an hour to church, singing praises to God. I was so desperate to learn English that I attended every service on Sunday mornings—all three! I wouldn’t even use a translation device. I had to hear God’s Word in English so I could learn faster. I also took English classes offered at the church. My money began to run low. Just in time, God gave me work with a landscape company. And then He gave me a car. One day, a man from church called me at work and said, “Thiago, God has told me to help you buy a car.” I started to cry. The man said he’d never heard God’s voice like that before, and he gave me a $1,500 check. It was hard to accept his gift. In Brazil, I was the one blessing others; now I was the one in need, and God was blessing me through people I Saying goodbye to his parents and brother at Viracopos International Airport in Brazil was the first and hardest thing Thiago faced in his journey to America. In Orlando, however, the Lord comforted Thiago’s heart by providing a home and a family. My responsibility is to live a life above reproach with a clear conscience. God will take care of the rest. continued on page 35 kojministries.org Issue 3 2017 23
20478AS
To see the actual publication please follow the link above