Brazil Report #1

Well, here is my first blog update. We had no real internet access while in Rio, so I've just had it for the past couple of days, which have been hectic.

Rio de Janeiro was interesting. Spiritually, it was dark and hard to minister. We went there in hopes of ministering at a number of churches. When we arrived we found out that a main pastor there just took a second wife and it threw the whole network of spirit-filled churches we were there for into a tailspin. Therefore, nearly all of the doors shut there for us. We were able to minister at a house church that is just being birthed. It was a beautiful time of worship and ministry to the church there, of about 20 people or so. Many received powerful prophetic words, and a few were healed. The rest of the time we got to do tourist-type things and pray. We also got to connect with a sweet couple, Robson and Monica, who toured us around the city. The trip to Rio was worth it just to meet and pray over this couple.

After leaving Rio, we went to a town called Macae, which is also on the coast, about 2-3 hours away. We attended a beautiful church and ministered to about 200-300 people. Again, many were healed, received words, and about 10-15 were saved. I prayed for one woman who wasn't able to have children. That was so special. Then I prayed for another older woman. Because of the language barrier I wasn't sure why she had come up for prayer. So I just prayed "restoration" and "refreshing" over her while I stroked her back. After I prayed she hugged me for the longest time and we were both crying. Later, she told me through an interpreter that my hands were the hands of Jesus and that her back had been healed! I jumped for joy and praised God! The crazy thing about this night is that in the beginning I was under heavy spiritual attack. I think it was similar to what people call an anxiety attack. My friends prayed for me and the oppression left right as Vincent (the man ministering the Word) said "God loves you." Amazing the power of the spoken word.

Well, that is a lot for one blog, and I need to rest now for tonight. The last 2 nights have been long and intense. More later...