Back Home to Believe

By Antonio Chiareli

God took me back to my country of Brazil, some ten years after I had moved to the USA, to reveal Himself to me. My wife Teresa and I, along with our 3-month-old Isabella, moved to Porto Alegre, Brazil, in October 1995 so I could conduct research for my Ph.D. thesis in Sociology from Northwestern University in Chicago.

We were anxious about relocating in Brazil since we went with limited funds, without knowing where we'd live, and having very few contacts. Upon arrival, we checked into a downtown hotel. Feeling uneasy about the area, we began looking for a place to rent in a safer part of town. On our second day, our search led us to the American School of Porto Alegre. There we met ABWE missionaries Dan and Diana Richner who were PE teacher and director, respectively, at that school.

Dan told me he was a missionary pastor and helped us move to a safer hotel. He put us in touch with another North American couple. They introduced us to someone who had an apartment for rent, and invited us to a Baptist church within walking distance.

Over the next few weeks, our contact with these new friends increased. My wife and I were especially drawn to the Richners. Despite the challenges of their ministry, they seemed content with life, at peace with themselves, and willing to help others. Having been brought up in the Roman Catholic tradition, we looked for a Catholic church to attend. Meanwhile, our visits to the Baptist church became more consistent, and we grew interested in the biblically-based teaching. We began asking questions about the Bible, faith, and salvation. The Richners welcomed our interest and shared the gospel with us. At get-togethers we saw what it was like to experience true Christian fellowship.

In December 1995, I asked the Richners if they would lead a Bible study in English. Within two weeks we attended our very first Bible study. As we read from John 1, the Lord reached me through the words, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." As Dan explained Who the "Word" was, I felt as if my eyes were opened to the Truth. I questioned, Who was this Jesus who was with God from the beginning and through whom creation itself was made? Why hadn't we been told of this Jesus before?

I began to thirst for God's Word. On January 6, 1996, a few weeks after that first Bible study, while reading Romans chapter 3, I prayed to God to forgive my sin, to save me and grant me everlasting life through His grace alone.

My wife also accepted Christ. We both began walking in the Lord and praying for His will. On Easter Sunday, 1996. My faith journey continued with one-on-one discipling. Dan Richner took me in as a son in the Lord, teaching, admonishing, and praying with me on a weekly basis. We memorized Scripture together, and I accompanied him on his hospital visitation.

Dan's son and daughter-in-law, Randy and Cindy Richner took Teresa, Isabella, and me into their home for a month before our return to the US. We are deeply thankful to the generations of missionary service that family has provided in Brazil, from "Grandpa" Willard Stull, to Pastor Dan and Diana, to Pastor Randy and Cindy.

We settled in Jackson, Tennessee, where I am a professor at Union University. We have seen God carry us through health problems, job searches, two miscarriages, and other challenges. In January 1999, we were blessed with the arrival of Luisa Christina. Today we serve in our church in worship, in children's work, and in a young couples' Bible study in our home.

We have defined our goals: to live as Christ's followers, to raise a godly family, and to show Christ to all with whom we come in contact. If God wishes to use us on the mission field, even in south Brazil where much evangelization is still needed, we are willing to go.