I understood the Gospel as a child, through the teachings of my parents and my church. I surrendered to Jesus during a conversation with God while taking a shower. Reflecting on my disobedience to my parents and how Christ had died on the cross to save and forgive me, I realized that I had not yet confessed Christ as my Lord and Savior. Just like the water of a shower washes the body and flows down the drain, He cleansed me from all the filth of sin.

It wasn’t until the end of college, in 2009, that I realized I hadn’t shared Jesus with my closest friends. I hadn’t shared my greatest treasure. One day, while walking toward the university, the Holy Spirit convicted me of this and gave me practical ideas for sharing about Him—through conversations, sharing Christian videos, and offering Bibles. Even though I finished university, this desire continued to burn within my heart.

God gave me the opportunity to study at a Missionary Bible Institute, where I was also able to serve in various contexts. I served in several riverine communities in different states. I had opportunities to visit Roma, Sertanejo and Quilombola communities, and several Indigenous people groups in Brazil. I also worked with a missionary agency and served in local churches. Additionally, I had the chance to connect with Lebanese communities in Paraguay, and to serve Syrian refugees in São Paulo.

After that, as a couple, we were sent to an unreached group in Southeast Asia to work on Bible translation for their local language. We served in this ministry for three years, contributing to the translation of Genesis, Matthew, John, and Esther, as well as adapting biblical texts to the Muslim context.