I’m going to tell you a little bit about myself so that everyone can get a better understanding.

I was born in Campinas, Sao Paulo (Brazil). At the age of 8, I moved to Parana with my family (father, mother and 2 sisters). I lived with my parents until the age of 18, which was when I decided to move to London with my husband, who was still my boyfriend at the time, in search of a better life.

It was here in London, away from everything and everyone, while facing adult-sized problems, that for the first time, I began to seek God. I didn’t come from a religious background, my parents were never very devout, but I ended up doing catechesis in the Catholic Church – because all my friends were doing it –, yet I never learned anything about God.

This was when I began attending a Catholic–Brazilian congregation every Sunday. I felt good there, but I never had an encounter with God, and I often asked myself if He actually existed. I wasn’t a defined person, nor was I sure about what would happen to me when I died. Around this time, a coworker, who was used by God, began to talk to me about Jesus. She said we were nearing the end of times and Jesus would soon return, and she asked me if I knew what would happen with my soul.

To be honest, I thought her conversations were a bit annoying. I didn’t have a clue about what she was saying, because I never felt the desire to read the Word of God, and whenever I did read the Bible, I didn’t understand anything. However, she did not give up. She invited me to every event held at her Church, and I always gave an excuse not to go. I was prejudiced against the Universal Church; I didn’t know what went on inside, but I had heard a lot about them.

One fine day I decided to go to an event called “The Love School.” It was the Bulletproof Marriage book release and, due to the occasion, Bishop Renato and Cristiane came to sign autographs and give a course based on the book.

I really enjoyed their lessons and found their ideas to be practical and useful. So, little by little, I went to a few meetings. The first meetings kind of scared me, because of the way people prayed – I thought they were a bit exaggerated.

But deep down, something told me not to give up, to remain firm and try to understand this strong faith these brave people were demonstrating.

I went a couple of times, always on Sundays, but I wasn’t sure yet if I wanted to surrender my life to This God.

A few months passed, and I would ask God to show me if this Church was really His.

Then, one day, my husband had to travel, and what we thought would be a month long trip turned into a two month trip. This became a very difficult time for me. Though I had already been living far away from my parents, I had never lived alone.

This was when my friend Jane, who had brought me to Church, invited me to spend the weekends with her and her family – always encouraging me to go to Church, of course.

This turned out to be a great experience! I learned how a family could have so much love, so much peace in their home, respect and affection for one another… My eyes began to open, and I wanted the exact same thing for my life. My family was never broken, but I never felt this peace around my parents – there were always constant arguments.

I decided that my family would be like theirs; they became the model family I wanted my children to have one day. I wanted this God in my life, but there was one problem: I did not like Bishop Macedo. The truth is, I hated him and until this day I don’t know why.

But I pushed forward. Today I find it funny, but I remember that every Sunday during those two months, when we got home from the meeting, what did Jane put on TV for us to watch while we ate lunch? Bishop Macedo’s Sunday morning service. This made me so upset. Wasn’t it enough to listen to his messages in Church, now we had to listen to him at home too?

I wouldn’t say anything, because I knew how much they respected and admired him, but it was a pain!

Until, a few days before my husband came back, Jane gave me the Nothing to Lose book as a present. I thought it was awesome! Finally, I would know details that I didn’t previously know – I was extremely curious! So I read the book with an open heart, wanting to figure out why there was so much hate inside me.

It was a great surprise! From the moment I began reading the first couple of pages I began to repent; then, after reading a couple more pages, I asked God for forgiveness.

From then on, only one thing would come to my mind:

Why, my God? Why do I hate someone so much when they have never harmed me in any way, much less harmed others?

I cried while I read every difficult moment mentioned in the book. I read, read and read, because I couldn’t stop. The next day, I finished it.

In the end, where the bishop does a prayer, I think I had my first experience with the Holy Spirit. Even in the very beginning, I cried a lot. A couple of lines later, I fell to my knees involuntarily, as if God were present so strongly that I couldn’t remain standing in His Holy Presence!

Those words, one after the other, touched the deepest part of my being. I asked for forgiveness again and also to be delivered once and for all from that horrible feeling that I never wanted to have again.

My husband returned home the next day and from then on, I started slowly walking alone in my faith. A few months later, on my 22nd birthday, I gave my life to Jesus: I was baptized!

There are no words to describe this moment! I was born again, I felt clean and there was now a conviction inside me.

The second Nothing to Lose book was released here – this time I read it in one day, what a blessing!

I hope those who feel the same way about the Bishop give him a chance, learn more about the work of the Universal Church and read the Nothing to Lose book. Many may say they brainwash people, but I’m sure they are simply spiritually washing people – I am cleansed, I am a new person!

I ask God to bless Bishop Macedo and his family’s life more and more each day, so they may continue to serve Him and save many, many souls!

Confession:

Nowadays, the one who comes home after the meetings on Sundays and watches Bishop Macedo’s meeting is me, thank God!

Ana Paula Sossai