Londrina, Parana, Brazil
November 2012
The Elijah Challenge in Brazil
In the city of Londrina, Brazil, a 75-year-old attorney suffered from a brain aneurysm and had lapsed into an irreversible coma. He was in a vegetative, brain-dead state from which according to doctors there was absolutely no hope of recovery.
Two trained believers from the First Independent Presbyterian Church of Londrina, an Elder named Dr. Oziel who himself was a practicing physician and his Senior Pastor Rodolfo Montosa, ministered to him several times over the course of some months. The attorney miraculously woke up from his vegetative state with full cognitive functions. He is now physically active and back at work at his law practice.
Since all this took place, the Elder and his Pastor had not yet had an opportunity to share with him the gospel of Jesus Christ. One day in early November 2012 they took me to visit him and his wife at his home. His wife met us at the door and showed us into a vast study/living room where he was seated awaiting us.
Soon after catching sight of Dr. Oziel who had been used to bring him back from the practically dead, he began to weep tears of gratefulness. Several times during our brief visit, his tears would suddenly begin to flow. Dr. Oziel shared with him the gospel of the One whose power and name had brought him back so miraculously—the Lord Jesus Christ. With no reluctance or questions at all, he quietly accepted Jesus as His new Lord and Savior, and received from Him the forgiveness of sins and life everlasting.
Never have I seen such fruit ripe for the picking. Or, as Brother Rodolfo remarked to me as we drove away after our visit, the fruit was already on the ground ready to be picked up.
Mark 2:10-12 But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the man, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all.
Dr. Oziel, Attorney & wife, Pastor Rodolfo