The Words of the Das Gracas Family
|
|
The Words of the Das Gracas Family |
Modern-day
heralds proclaiming the return of Christ, just as Saint Paul
(depicted in the statue) announced two millennia ago that "God
has brought to Israel the Savior Jesus, as he promised." The
sign reads "Christ has returned. The Messiah, the Lord at his
Second Advent, is on earth."
It all started seven months ago, during our Blessed Family Department meeting, when each of us shared our desire to begin a home group as a means of transforming the quite stagnant state of our church at that time.
On September 15 last year, three blessed couples met in our first home group meeting. We were neighbors but had never sat down together and talked as if we were one family. We had felt like strangers before, but everything began to change as we frequently met and especially as we started our proclamation rallies, inspired by Hyung-jin nim, his members in Korea and members of the South London church that had already begun direct witnessing.
Personally, I was downcast and skeptical about my leaders after what occurred in Brazil on May 31 last year. I was feeling somber and uninspired; my thinking was unclear and I felt insecure about the future of our church. I cried often. Yet, God has shone for me a light by way of a home group and the proclamation rallies we've been holding. I have revived, and I feel joy through taking action.
How powerful it feels to testify to the Messiah -- the word has become flesh! Whenever I testify, I feel the presence of God and our True Parents strongly, and I feel no fear, no doubts, no barriers, just joy in my heart for proclaiming the True Parents.
We started in downtown Sao Paulo, in front of the big cathedral with its big statue of St. Paul. That area is like the country's heart, and we find all types of people there. At first, the atmosphere was dreary because of the presence of many beggars, drunkards and street vendors, although there were many tourists too. As we continued doing our rallies, though, the atmosphere changed, becoming lighter, and more good people were listening to us at our rallies and expressed interest in studying the Divine Principle. One of my guests came to our headquarters one Sunday and we studied Divine Principle together. Another guest has begun coming to our home group meetings and one of our group leader's guests comes to them frequently.
As we continue doing one rally a month, more members have joined us and have gained strength and inspiration from the experience. Everybody has had beautiful, deep experiences meeting people to witness to. Everyone has said that many people are prepared to hear the good news.
Members of my family and my tribe have begun joining me in the proclamation rallies, and 1 feel a greater strength to succeed in our tribal mission through our home group foundation and the direct witnessing that we are doing continuously. The home group and direct witnessing are truly good for me. I have been spiritually liberated, revived and encouraged. I have come to love witnessing activities once again. For a long time, I had not witnessed.
God has prepared many people and my role is to proclaim. For sure, if we have the right attitude and heart, the spirit world moves these people to study and understand the Divine Principle and to value the very important and significant role of the True Parents of humankind. For these reasons, it is so important to be consistent with our home group meetings and proclamation rallies. Through these, at the right time and place we can meet the right people.
We have done six rallies in Sao Paulo and two in Osasco. The number eight represents a new beginning. For me, it is a point at which I am more determined than before to bring victory for God and True Parents through direct witnessing. I am looking forward to this Saturday, our seventh proclamation rally in Sao Paulo.
Let's spread the good news that the Messiah is on earth, alive! Let's spread the breaking news wherever we are and to whomever we meet.