Pentecoste Projects

February 19, 2024

Alterations in mission, pacing, and location certainly do not limit God’s work. Even though the past week’s focus was completely different from the previous, the same God was over all. I stayed in the city of Pentecoste nearly the entire time, working in and around the Jacob’s Well compound. Regardless of remaining in a 3-mile radius, opportunities abounded. I also learned while reaching out to people is the #1 mission, it requires countless hours of support-related work for every single hour of outreach. 

For instance, planting an entire field of 900 pitayas (dragon fruit) for a community takes a great amount of time of gathering resources for the project. Late this week, we harvested upwards of 300 rims from a used-tire facility. The tire rims are mounted horizontally on top of wooden posts via rebar, providing a platform to support the plants and allowing plenty of room for sunlight and space to grow. The dragon fruit plants are large succulent-looking cacti growing up to six feet tall. If planted in favorable conditions, the first-year crop gives around 5 kg of fruit. Like compound interest, the deal becomes better over time. After two years, the plants will produce up to 15 kg of fruit; 26 kg after three. The significant growth over a short time makes pitayas a perfect, quick cash-crop. The ministry will use the 300 tires we cut in planting fields for a new community connecting with Jacob’s Well.

Earlier in the week, I was able to work on another support project. The Jacob’s Well compound is perfect for the ministry. Whether utilized for a community-outreach event or merely housing staff, it functions exactly as needed. However, after years in a hot and humid climate, the building needed some love. Having been authorized to paint the large main-room at its center, Mr. Ricardo was ready to move. He asked if I had any experience painting. Fast-forward, and were bringing home everything from a list of materials I had made. While scrubbing every square inch of the walls and figuring out how to use crack-filling plaster, I kept thinking about the variation of assignments I had experienced so far. The three-day project opened up more than enough time to think and process, which proved extremely valuable. At times, I put my earbuds in and worshiped while I painted; on other occasions God blessed me in conversation with the Jacob’s Well staff.

Despite the glaring differences between week one’s outreach and week two’s projects, I have come to see afresh how both play an essential role in Kingdom work. This week, time to reflect on my relationship with God after witnessing His powerful hand at work last week turned out to be an invaluable combination. As He moves in this region of Brazil, I see Him teaching my heart in ways I could never have anticipated.

Near the end of our trip last week - at the same community where I found the handlebars - Mr. Ricardo and I led a small worship set. The day had been a long one, so he said I could sing two songs before he gave the message. I obliged, but was surprised when at the end of the second song, he spontaneously led us into another bridge. The Holy Spirit was so tangible I began to feel emotional. The set ended in prayer, and I began to stow the guitar and keyboard away in our car while Mr. Ricardo explained the 6’ 3” gringo accompanying him. But I paused when he turned to me, tears in his eyes, and said shortly, “God speak to me...about your life.” With that, he turned back to the community and launched into his sermon. I was left dumbfounded.

So this week, when the timing felt right, I apprehensively approached Mr. Ricardo to ask the obvious question. My head was swirling with potential marching orders to go to the Amazon and become a missionary. Yet his answer was nothing like I expected. In paraphrase, he told me his visits to the rural communities always feel like he is bringing help alone, when in reality, God is with him. He told me, “God use your life to show me God is with me.” This statement gave me the ideal shift of perspective. We want to go and help the poor and the needy, but God wants to use us however He sees fit. The rural Brazilian communities definitely need to know God is with them, but so do those already following Him, like Pastor Ricardo. I am grateful to get to be part of God’s encouragement to His faithful people.