Airline Conversations

The flight from Atlanta to Sao Paulo was relaxing.  I slept most of the way there.  In all, our trip took nine hours.  Our flight from Sao Paulo to Brasilia was only two hours.  I was fortunate enough to sit right in between two Brazilian women.  It was amazing!  The whole time we talked about differences in our cultures and languages.  The specific topics varied from religion, government, economics, sports, food, family, etc.  The most incredible part about it was that I got to share with them about Jesus.  They were very receptive to what I had to say.  I shared with them about the love of Jesus and how He died to pay the price of sin.  After telling them about the opportunity to receive eternal life through Christ, they proceeded to tell me that they did not believe in Heaven and Hell.  Their belief is that when they die, their bodies will either go into the ground or they will be reincarnated.  Reincarnation only occurs if they have not fulfilled their life's mission.  If they do finish this mission, however, then their bodies go into the ground until the end of the world.  Then, when all is said and done and the world is over, God will take all of His people into paradise with Him.  They inquired after my life mission.  I told them that I had felt called by God to eventually be a mom and raise a family.  Until then, I said, my calling is to go and share the Gospel of Christ everywhere that I go.  They congratulated me for my faith and following what God had asked me to do.  I was a little disappointed that I had not persuaded them to abandon their belief, in order to follow the Christian faith, but I was happy to have planted a seed in their hearts.  Praise God for their listening ears and for His words on my tongue!

I was so thankful to them and to God for their patience with my lack of ability to speak Portuguese.  I am really hoping that I can pick up some of the language this month.  Talking to Ana and Hayanne was so encouraging to me.  I have no doubt now that God is going to do incredible things here in Brazil.  He is so good!

- Ashley Willis