Dear Sisters, Brothers, and Friends, it is a privilege to share with you some of my blessings relating to the visit that Bishop Robert and I experienced at the Place of Refuge, South Unit, during November 2023. All of us can experience similar events and blessings in our lives, but each of us can be uniquely affected by these experiences.
In order to better understand one of my special blessings, I need to share some background information. In 2021, I endured excruciating pain from an injury related to a herniated disc in my lower back. A few months later, while still recuperating from the pain, I spent a few days in hospital with COVID-19 and had a slow recovery. Having hardly recovered from both conditions, I travelled to Brazil, literally, on faith, for the November 2021 conference—this faith was strengthened with Prophet Mauricio’s assurance that the Lord would take care of me.
During that conference, Brother Mauricio gave me a special blessing, anointing my head and praying over me for healing from the cause of the pain. If there happened to be any question about being healed, my time at the Place of Refuge should erase all doubts! But I need to start at the beginning of our trip to the Refuge, because I actually experienced two miracles as well as many blessings.
On Monday, November 6, 2023, Bishop Robert and I were to fly from Florianópolis to Porto Alegre and then transfer to a very small plane for our flight to Santa Maria. However, after arriving in Porte Allegre, our next flight continued to be delayed, and it was eventually cancelled. We were transported to an airport hotel, but how much we desired to be spending that night at the Place of Refuge!
On Tuesday, after more flight delays, we were finally up in the air and flying towards Santa Maria! Upon our arrival, we were very happy to be met by our equally happy Brothers Thiago and Wagner, and President Steve—who was driving the truck! I had not travelled in this truck before because of the difficulty of climbing in and out of it due to the high step and the impact it could have on my back. So, with a silent plea to the Lord for protection, I began trying to figure out how to climb to the front seat—with the help of my brothers.
After a stop at the grocery store (and more practice climbing out and into the truck) we had about a 30-minute highway drive, before taking the 26-kilometer (16-mile) drive on the dirt and sometimes very bumpy rural road to our final destination. During this drive, we were rewarded with some beautiful scenery, especially as the golden light of the setting sun glistened across the rice fields near the river; all too soon, the sun disappeared behind the mountains.
With much excitement and gratefulness, we finally turned into the driveway at the Place of Refuge! There was a sense of familiarity about it because of the videos and photos we had already seen, but nothing could compare to being physically present at this specially appointed place! But I was also facing my next challenge—climbing out of the truck, especially after sitting in it for well over an hour. Every effort was made to make it easier for me, and also for Bishop Bob. There were always two, and sometimes three, of my brothers standing beside the truck to give me support and help. They literally gave me a shoulder to lean on!
Immediately, I began to feel the presence of the Lord’s Spirit at this property and the exuberant spirit that is shared among all of my brothers. Even though the sun had set, our brothers were still busy working. Walking into the house, we were, again, able to recognize various areas that had been shared in photos and videos, and we were finally able to see what was behind the wall that we had seen being built via video—a beautiful fully furnished bedroom! But the bigger surprise was a brand-new bathroom that had been added to the end of the house; and Brother Mauricio thinks of everything—including safety grab bars!
On our first night, in addition to enjoying the friendship of a meal together—and learning about the “war cry”—the sky was clear enough for us to marvel at seeing the celestial lights moving in many different directions in the night sky. I couldn’t help but wonder about how many of the local people must see these lights and what they may think about them—but, now, they have the opportunity to hear about the amazing experiences related to these heavenly lights!
The next day, Wednesday, I had a new test of my faith! Brother Mauricio, from the back seat of the truck, and with Brother Steve driving, took us on a tour of the property. The ground was damp, wet in some places, and uneven. Before driving by a field of corn, there were some unplanted ploughed ridges and furrows that Brother Steve needed to maneuver over. I have never ridden on a bucking horse, but this was close enough for me! Yes, I sent a few pleas to the Lord for protection for my back, and for all of us, because the ground was so rough and bumpy! After being able to view the property from a completely different perspective, and having a close-up view of the river, we arrived back at the house. After being helped out of the truck, I was thanking the Lord for His protection for my lower back!
The following day, Thursday, we experienced the historic and spiritual highlight, and purpose, of our visit—the consecration of the property! (Bishop Robert wrote about this in the June 1, 2024 Herald.) Prophet Mauricio and Brother Joni had previously taken measurements to mark the east, west, and center points of the property, and there is a rock to mark each place where we gathered for the prayers of consecration that were read by our Presiding Bishop.
During this sacred time, with the help of my brothers, I climbed in and out of the truck four times… and had another bumpy ride… with no harm to my back! This truly was a miracle! An amazing miracle that brings tears of gratefulness, even now, as I am preparing this testimony!
But, there was another miracle! Due to major surgery about 10 years ago, I have intestinal issues that now require daily monitoring and care. Even with very careful monitoring, hospitalization can still be necessary for four to five days; this has already happened several times, including about six years ago when Brother Bob and I were visiting my family in Australia.
The most recent time I was hospitalized was shortly after our trip home to the US, from Brazil, in May 2022. At that time, I was advised that if I have another complication, I would very likely need to have surgery. So, whenever I travel, extra planning and precautions are absolutely necessary—this also means that I have to step out in faith every time I do travel. Since our trip to the Place of Refuge was for a shorter period of time, it meant that I needed to micromanage my health.
While our unexpected Monday night layover in Porto Alegre was a big disappointment because it meant one less day at the Place of Refuge—it also created a big concern for me regarding the schedule I had carefully planned for my health situation. However, the Lord blessed me with another miracle! There is absolutely no doubt in my mind about that. I was blessed with a much-needed miracle!
On Friday morning, my husband and I reluctantly prepared to leave this place of refuge. Everyone was busy doing the work that needed to be taken care of over the next 24 hours in order to be ready for Saturday’s meeting and barbeque! But time was made for hugs and farewells as we, reluctantly, walked up the driveway to the car.
A short distance from Agudo, we stopped for one more photo of a very special mountain! Later, our brothers, Joni and Valdeci, helped us check in at the Santa Maria airport and gave both of us one last hug. Bishop Bob and I arrived back in Florianópolis on schedule, and were warmly greeted by our brother, Fabio, and his neighbor who drove us to our apartment in Palhoca. And now, etched in my memory, and in my heart, are many new “mountain top” experiences… including more miracles!
