Brazil mission team brings water to remote community

by | 25 Aug 2016

Seven volunteers from the Church of the Nazarene's Paulista South East and Londrina districts in Brazil traveled to Lagoa dos Prazeres for “Manifestar – Sertão 2016,” a mission trip led by Pastor Felipe Fulanetto with the assistance of the local Church of the Nazarene and the Nazarene Welfare Association, represented by Pastor Mardonio Almeida.

The São Raimundo Nonato region of Brazil is a semi-arid area known for its water challenges, so the team planned to drill a well in the area.

Fulanetto shared the following account of the well's opening:

Today was one of the most important days of my life and ministry. Yesterday we drilled 80 meters to open the artesian well in the Quilombola community and no water came out. It was a mixture of sadness and gratefulness to God: sad to see an anxious people and not get water; grateful for the goodness and faithfulness of God even in adversity. When we made the decision not to continue, I called everyone together and read Habakkuk 3:17-19, which shows joy even in the midst of problems. However, as the psalmist says: "Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy" (126:5).

Today we made the difficult decision to try again, even knowing how much it would cost. After more than five hours of drilling, 60 meters without water, four dry crevices, and lots of dust and sand, our God proved faithful: water gushed in abundance. To see the faces of each person, happy and shouting with joy, was invaluable. I myself started to celebrate, crying and screaming and jumping in the water, covered with mud.

There was a 90 percent possibility that the water would be brackish (containing salt), but as our Lord doesn’t do anything half-way, the water is drinkable and excellent! The people that were there took the water — still muddy — and carried to the elders in their homes to drink.

The team spent two days visiting remote villages and distributing toys, Bibles, shoes, and other items. In total, nine communities and villages were visited, including Cachoeira São Raimundo Nonato (Barrio Cipó, Portelinha, and Cohab Junco), Lagoa dos Prazeres (Quilombo), Lagoa de Cima, Fartura, and Lagoa do Travessão.

Pastor Marco Antonio de Almeida of the Ebenezer Church of the Nazarene in Campinas brought words of blessing and challenge for the local church during the time of evangelism in the villages. Many made the decision to follow Jesus and gave themselves actively to the ministry.