Hello, my name is Mayara, I’m 19 years old and God changed my life.

As a child, I never liked to play with girly things, or any games that involved girls. My behavior was a bit aggressive and my sisters often suffered because I would hit them. The bad attitude continued and I became a rebellious teenager.

As an adolescent, I was surrounded by friends, but they were all boys. At school, they looked at me different because I always dressed like a boy. People began to distance themselves, so I would often detour the street that led to school and skip classes. Over time, I started becoming popular because of the way I acted and various people began wanting to hang out with me, especially girls. I was the center of attention at school and adapted well to my new circle of friends, since I had some difficulty making new friends. However, even though I was popular among my new friends, I still felt different from everyone. Later, under the influence of those “friends”, I started having relationships with girls. I didn’t get the needed attention from my parents at home, but I had all the attention when I was among those friends. My mother left, she moved to another city. I was living alone with my father, who unfortunately went out every day to drink and get high, leaving me home alone.

Some time later, one of my sisters came to live with us, but she was killed near the house. That episode often flashed through my mind, causing more anger and aggression. I got involved with guns, drugs and parties. I would transport drugs and weapons from one city to another, and loved dancing in dance groups. I wasn’t able to settle down anywhere. I lived in several people’s houses in the district of Natal (Brazil), which is a very dangerous neighborhood.

This was when I started going to gay clubs, where everyone physically looked like me. Though I was in a “fun” place, I still felt empty and sad. I didn’t understand why I felt so lonely. There were always several girls around me, I wore the best clothes and bought the most expensive drinks, but when I came home, I’d just cry, trying to figure out why there was so much pain in my soul. And it was during my search for relief that I tried to commit suicide. I thought that if I took my life, I would be putting an end to the pain. What a mistake!

Even though I was going through all these problems, I knew about the UCKG Youth Group. But, I didn’t want to let go of the girlfriends, parties and friends. The assistants never gave up on me; they always invited me to go to Church on Sunday morning. But I would invent excuses not to go. Then, one day, I was overcome with curiosity to find out what happened during these Sunday morning meetings. I went and sat in the last row. I remember that I wore shorts and flip-flops. I couldn’t focus on what the pastor was preaching; I didn’t care about what he said on the Altar.

I stopped going for a while, but I began noticing that they paid attention to me. There was always a youth smiling at me, happy that I was there, asking if I was okay. They would sit down to talk to me, always showing me the value I had to God.

From that day on, I began a spiritual battle, but I was SURE that I was going to win once and for all. I’m not going to lie, it was quite difficult, but I was determined. Deciding to be baptized in water was crucial for my new life. Three months later, a complete transformation had taken place!

I took all my clothes and threw them away. I asked my sister to help me get new clothes. Everyone was shocked by my decision, especially to me.

At first it was very difficult to adapt to the new clothes, since I had used men’s clothes for many years. It felt weird at first; I had to learn how to use women’s accessories. It was as though I was in another world, but in a few months I was well adapted.

I began to dedicate myself more in the Church. I went more often during the week, because I tried everything to receive the Holy Spirit… I wanted to receive Him!

I was determined to draw His attention to me.

And, finally, I received my beloved Holy Spirit!

Oh, what a day!!!!

There are no words to describe what happens. Everything simply changes, and nothing else matters. The thought that comes to mind is that happiness lives forever within us, and everyone will know this unconditional love. The love for souls is born within, and all you want to do is speak of God to those who don’t know Him yet!

Until this day, I remember a phrase the Youth Group leader said to me when I first started: “You don’t need to change your ways, let the Holy Spirit guide you”. And that’s exactly what happened.

Today, I am a new person.

I live with my parents and was consecrated as an assistant on November 29, 2015. It was a moment of great joy, all praise to my God!

And yes, my greatest desire is to do the work of God on the Altar and share my life story wherever I go. Win souls for the Kingdom of God… My life, which one day was a cause for sadness, today has the joy of Serving the God that transformed it completely.

SOMEONE BELIEVED IN ME!