DARE TO DREAM | from page 23 _________________________________________________________________ didn’t even know. I prefer to give than to receive, but God is teaching me the blessing in both. A friend told me about a mechanic who sold cars. He had a reliable car for sale for $2,500. I had only $1,500. When I met him, he said, “I can see in your eyes that you are a good man. I know you have God in your life. The car is yours. Pay me when you can.” Only God can do such a thing! God kept showing me that in a land so full of people, He saw me; He saw my needs. One day I was at church and feeling quite alone. At home in Brazil, I was a leader in a church with 300 people, now at First Baptist, I was one of thousands. I told God, “No one here knows me…but You do. Your eyes are on me.” At the end of that service, a lady came to me and said, “God has shown me a dream about you. You have God’s power on you, and His light is within you.” Then, on October 6, 2016, another woman came to me and said, “God has shown me that you have something in your life that the world needs. I publish a magazine, and I’d like to share your story with our readers.” She introduced me to her family and invited me to dinner for an interview. “God, why is this white family inviting me to dinner?” I was so nervous as I drove to their home. I didn’t know what God had in store. Their warm welcome made all my fears go away. We sat on the couch, and I shared my story. I was amazed that an American family would invite me into their home. I had always heard Americans could be closed off, but here, a family God kept showing me that in a land so full of people, He saw me; He saw my needs. was opening their home to me. I was playing with their kids when Kristi and her husband, Tim, asked me to come upstairs. “Thiago,” they said, “we want to offer you a place to live. We want you to become a part of our family.” I was shocked. No one but God knew how much I longed for a family. Through the Johnsons, God provided a place for me to live and a home filled with His love. I cried all the way home and then remembered Pastor David’s sermon from the week before. He had said, “When God opens a door, don’t be afraid to walk through it. He is always on the other side, waiting for you.” I moved in the very next day. This family has become my family, and I their son. God is amazing. He has met my every need, including providing visa documents to study in America. My dream is to be a preacher or translator of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. God will make this dream a reality. He never fails. If you have a dream in your heart, don’t give up. Trust God. Prepare. Obey Him. And give thanks every day of the journey. One day, your dream will become a reality. �� GOD’S GOT YOU Relax My child. I’ve got you! I’ve got it—whatever it is. I know your heart’s desires and passions. I hear your cries and know your fear and pain. Take refuge in Me. Hide yourself in Me and you will find hope, provision, protection, worth, peace, and joy. In Me, you will find your way. There is nothing too hard for Me. Whatever your concern, I’ve got it! There’s nothing too big or too small for Me to handle. I want to handle it, so give it to Me. Take refuge in My arms. Intertwine yourself with Me and with My Word, and you’ll be strong. No weapon forged against you will prosper. No scheme of man will overtake you. You are not alone in your journey. I am with you. I hold you up with My righteous right hand, and I will not let you go. Exchange your burdens for My peace. Give Me your every care, for I care for you. Trust Me; you don’t have to be afraid or worry. You don’t have to manipulate people or circumstances. Just lean on Me. I’ll be your strength. I’ll be your power. I’ll give you wisdom and peace and the stamina to endure. I’ll work all things out for your good. Trust Me. Whatever you need, I already have it prepared. It’s on the way. I’ll lead you to it and it to you. Don’t look at the obstacle that lies before you. Look only at Me. I have already overcome this world and its obstacles. Greater am I in you than he who is in this world. I’m not absent. I’m not idle. I’m not angry. I’m always at work. You can’t always see Me, but you can always trust Me. I’m making a way where there seems to be no way. �� photography by Dee Lancaster of Dear Dee Photography kojministries.org Issue 3 2017 35
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