Divine Encounter

After a ten day visit to NE Brazil, Dan and I were packing up to return to Brasília. I remembered that I’d promised our old neighbor one last visit so Dan and I halted our preparations and we walked around the block to say good-bye. Fatima was home and sent her granddaughter across to the street to get Caio, a fellow who used to play with Andrew when they were in diapers. I thought it was silly to call him over since there was no way he would remember us, but the Lord had His hand in it.

Caio, now in his twenties, sat politely as we talked about the ministries we’ve been involved in since leaving Petrolina. Then he began to open up about his career plans, revealing his tender heart. He wanted to go into law as an advocate for the poor and under-represented. Several times he said he appreciated that we had faith in God, but that he could get along just fine without it. He quoted Spinoza, and Dan countered with some thoughts from C.S. Lewis on how there can be no change in society without transformed hearts. The door was wide open for sharing the gospel and Caio’s eyes filled with tears as Dan talked with him. As we got up to head to the airport, he embraced us and promised to read any book we might send him. Within a week we had mailed Lewis’ Mere Christianity, which clearly explains the basic tenets of the Christian faith. Will you please pray with us that Caio would come to know Jesus as His Savior and Lord?