EMAFMaranhão
18/10/2011 . Canárias
It
was the third day in a row that a small MAF plane, our partners in
researching small isolated communities in the NE, had flown over the area. We
had begun in the South of Bahia, flying eight hours a day, locating each
community that did not appear on Brazilian maps. In the last
hours of aerial research we had flown over the Delta of the Paranaiba
River. A great community below called my attention in a special way
(Canárias). While we still prayed for the Canarias, I continued taking note of
dozens of other small groups of families. In tears I observed those
isolated people, suffering, in the midst of lush creation, however with no
knowledge of the Creator.
It
was in 1990 and throughout the following 9 years that EMAF missionaries worked
hard to establish ministerial bases along the Northeastern coast. I lead teams
that traveled by land contacting each community that we had spotted by air and
planning strategies to reach them. I visited hundreds of communities during
that time, but my first vision of Canarias had never left my mind.
In
1999 we finally reach the Canárias and discovered that years earlier some
brothers of the Assemblies of God had been there, having been expelled,
"running for their lives" as the natives would proudly say. I walked
to Passarinhos under a boiling sun. Never have I felt such pain as I did then
walking on the sand, feet burning with each step - but that wasn't my privilege
alone - all the natives, women and children included, suffered as they walked
seeking supplies for their homes.
In
2001, Paulo and Edvânia and their two children, answered the call, going to the
Delta of the Parnaíba River. Pioneers financed the establishment of a new EMAF
base while the couple untiringly visited each home in the community, suffering
rejection and threats, but believing in a new day when faith would surge forth
in the hearts of many. It wasn’t long before the three churches were planted.
There were born, as well, two schools, literacy learning centres, a
rehabilitation centre and the dream of a sports ministry.
The
couple was, eventually, succeeded by Oslei, Wanda and their two children,
people of the most profound faithfulness, who continued the ministry. They
planted one more church, initiated the sports project, leadership training
school, various projects for community development, a new ministerial base in
Tutóia, with its own team and boats, since twenty new communities have been
reached.
I can still remember the first vision I had of the Canárias, while we flew over the community in 1990, but now I hide different tears, tears of joy and gratitude for the perfect revelation of the Creator in the hearts of those people, and for the faithfulness of those who have prayed, contributed and gone. The Delta of Parnaíba will never be the same – now there shines a different, powerful light that will “never be extinguished”!
May there be light in all the most remote communities of our country – believe me, it is a possible labour of love!
Pr. Marcio Garcia
Executive Director
September/2011
