A Symbol of Hope and Survival

By Don Hopkins

The summer 1999 issue of the Message told of "Operation Invasion" when Koinonia Baptist Church and others donated clothes, food, and medical supplies to drought victims.

A large portion of northeastern Brazil is plagued by an ongoing drought. The arid landscape is an unbroken mix of thorny brush, scrub trees, and cactus. Occasionally the drab backdrop is splashed with the vibrant green of a large juazeiro tree. Thanks to its expansive root structure, the juazeiro not only survives, it thrives in this barren land. It never loses its leaves and remains green year-round providing ample shade for cattle and goats. The juazeiro is a symbol of hope and survival.

In 1994, the Igreja Batista Koinonia was planted by an ABWE team in a suburb of the city of Recife. The team prayed that God would enable Koinonia to plant another church within five years. Missionaries worked hard to instill a passion for missions within the church members.

In 1998, Koinonia took part in an evangelistic outreach/drought relief project called "Operation Invasion." The focus of the project was the city of Ingazeira, which has about 1,500 residents and 2,500 people living around the city. The people of Ingazeira were grateful for the supplies and open to the gospel.

After participating in "Operation Invasion," four months of follow-up, and a great deal of prayer, God led Marcos and Lene Damasco to move to Ingazeira. Members at Koinonia Baptist Church readily affirmed their call to ministry and helped them raise their support. When the Damascos arrived in Ingazeira in 1999, they rented a house which became the base for an adult Bible study and children's ministry. As a result of gifts from the United States, Koinonia purchased property, built a wall, dug a well, and constructed a small church building. Over 250 people attended the inaugural service of the Igreja Batista Comunitaria of Ingazeira.

Through the Damascos' ministry, 11 adults have accepted Christ and 70 children faithfully attend a weekly Sunday school. When a company dug the well on the church property during the peak of the drought, they drilled through solid rock for about 27 meters until they hit crystal clear water. Word spread rapidly. People lined up at the church gate with pots, paint cans, and pitchers. Some arrived in ox carts loaded with 50-gallon drums. As Marcos filled their containers with water from the well, he shared with them Living Water that would satisfy their thirst eternally.

Reflecting on their three years in Ingazeira, Marcos said, "This church plant is like a juazeiro tree. It has a deep root structure of love and support in the mother church, Koinonia Baptist Church in Recife. Because Christ is building the Igreja Batista Comunitaria, the people of Ingazeira will find comfort and hope in the shade of her walls.

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