My pastor at Gardenside Baptist Church has often preached on “no such thing as second chances, only next opportunities.” As I have prayed over this to come to a greater understanding in my own life, I have come to understand and realize it even further with the fact that you cannot go back to what was. Even with next opportunities, they may take on the appearance of the first but never hold the same complete events and with going back, nothing is ever as it was left.
I have traveled to Brazil multiple times since I first came with my parents 16 years ago. Being here this time I went back to the town I first came to know with all the people I first came to love, Garça, São Paulo. It has been about 5 years since I have had the opportunity to travel to Garça. It was so wonderful to see old friends and see again the town I used to know well. My heart was broken at the same time it was lifted up. Garça is not the same place and everyone has changed. Though I was given a warm welcome, it was not the normal fervent welcome of Brazil. Trust me, Brazilians are a welcoming and open people. There was a sense of apprehension and distrust in some I did not expect. I had every intention to speak with certain people as I arrived at the end of the church service Sunday evening and I watched as they made every effort to avoid me. It was not all bad, I was able to make deeper some friendships that God means for me to keep. I was able to start my personal prayerwalking as I went through the town and to places I had worked before. Also, I was able to close some history for good and that is a true blessing from God. It was a sobering and humbling time. You can never go back to the past, no matter how much you may want to do so. In spite of the heartache, God did speak, and trust me, I have been learning to listen. Doors close, and opportunities change location and He comforts in the midst of pain. I am learning to lean on God for my everything. I was told not to even look back so I am looking forward towards the future God has for me. Praise the Lord for His work and direction.
Now as I look forward, I am in the town of Caraguatatuba, São Paulo with my parents and those friends and family I met last year. The reception here last night at church was healing to my hurting heart. I am eager to see what God has in store for this trip. I will be prayerwalking in this town and in the surrounding towns. I am praying for the opportunity to share with the church here about prayerwalking as a church. We will see how God leads.
Thank you to those who prayed for my safe travels, God heard and delivered. I covet your prayers for the work God has for me to do even now while I am here.
God bless you and keep you these days.
fofinha posted at 4:45 PM
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