For some years, I exchanged my dream of serving God with all of my life, for the desire to work for the Brazilian embassy. I studied journalism and dedicated myself to the study of International Relations. In 2011, I spent some time going to school in France. While I was there, I worked as an assistant in the Universal Church in Paris. It was only for a short period, but it was enough to understand that the work there is very different from the work here. In a beautiful Church, but with a tiny space – compared to our temples– hundreds of people waited for the end of one meeting to participate in the next one. I was delighted by the importance these people gave God. The hope of a better life awaits them every day, and the transformation of their lives was a common consequence among them. I no longer wanted to return to Brazil. I wanted to remain with them, serve them…

After I returned to Brazil, to my Church, things seemed so ordinary. The desire to wholeheartedly help people began fading. I continued working and, of course, chasing my dream of being a diplomat. Since it’s one of the most disputed jobs in the country, it requires a lot of reading, dedication and education. I got very involved with all this and became a religious person, only attending Church on Sundays.

Things at Church no longer seemed as valuable as they did before. The pastor’s words and prayers were a world of black and white. And the desire to win souls: went from a bonfire to a lit match.

With my friends, I always tried to find the best ways to justify my choice of no longer wanting to be on the altar, since in the past, I was very vocal about this desire. But now I had a higher level of education, things changed and so did my dreams. All of a sudden, I crossed paths with a friend. As a former assistant and away from the Church, she needed me, my “spirituality”. I really didn’t have anything to give, my stock was empty. I urgently needed to do some shopping, but in order to pay, it would cost me to look at myself and acknowledge that I was not well. With all the enthusiasm of a prodigal child who returns to their father’s house, my friend was willing to do anything to win back the love of our Father. So we were surprised by the opportunity we were given, because this opportunity wasn’t only being given to her but also to me. The most beautiful campaign of the Universal Church was beginning: The Fast of Daniel!

I had already experienced something great through this campaign, during the very first Fast. This time, I knew something bigger could happen. We participated together, with all of our strength and the miracle happened: last Sunday, Nataly – my friend – was baptized with the Holy Spirit. It was so beautiful. It seemed like she was born at that exact moment, which spiritually speaking, was in fact what happened.

And me? My life has changed, my eyes have changed and most importantly, my desire to help people jumped out from being overshadowed by the things of this life. Instead, I want to realize the dreams of God. During these days of the Fast of Daniel, I have been following the TV schedule of the Universal Church in Europe, and I’m delighted by the people’s testimonies. My greatest miracle wasn’t only that God restored my life, but He also restored the desire to bring salvation to the world because it’s useless to receive the Spirit of God if I don’t bear witness of Him in my life. I find myself at the disposal of God, perhaps one day I’ll be a pastor’s wife or even a diplomat. One thing I am sure of: I will fulfill my calling.

It seems like such a short amount of time, since we are only in the middle of the Fast of Daniel; however, when there is a complete surrender, time is just a mere detail.

Everything is so beautiful. The Bishop’s books seem to have something different about them. The meetings my pastor makes seem to be the first meetings I’ve ever heard and the people of the Universal Church are stronger and more beautiful with each day that passes. Oh! What a day!

Thank you, Bishop, for revealing this faith to us.

Priscila Prestes

Recife, PE – Brazil