In His Perfect Timing: How God Led Me to Brazil - by Menorah

My name is Menorah Mangar, and my first mission trip was to Brazil in July 2025. Never in my life did I imagine I would go to Brazil—it’s truly amazing how God works in His perfect timing. The year 2025 was truly divine for me, as the Lord guided my steps one after another. God brings the right people into our lives to fulfill His great purpose according to His will.

As I sought the plan and the will of the Lord with a sincere and obedient heart, He opened the door for me to return to Rhema Bible Training College, where I enrolled in the Biblical Studies program for the spring of 2025. As I entered this new season, God began opening the doors that needed to open and closing those that needed to close. In the beginning of 2025, I believe God had already placed a burning desire for missions in my heart—a desire that kept growing stronger each day. Deep down, I just knew that I would be going on a mission trip soon—I just didn’t know where.

On February 16, 2025, during a Brazilian Sunday Service at my home church, International Gospel Center, I met Lorena, she mentioned that her group was planning a mission trip to Brazil. I told her, “I’ll pray about it,” and kept it in my heart. Lorena’s husband, Joshua, happened to be my instructor at Rhema Bible Training College, which I believe was no coincidence, it was truly divine alignment from God. And that same day, Bishop LaDonna Osborn preached a message on “Focus on Mission.” As she spoke, it felt as though she was speaking directly to me— confirming what God had already placed in my heart.

After praying for a few days, I decided to sign up for the mission trip. I was filled with peace, joy, and excitement, a deep assurance that this was God’s plan.

Our first team meeting was on Zoom, and immediately after that meeting, an overwhelming compassion and love for the people of Brazil fell upon me. It was unlike anything I had ever felt before. I began to weep uncontrollably, feeling a deep compassion for the lost ones—those whom Jesus loves, died for, and is waiting for their return. From that moment, my love for the people of Brazil only grew stronger. I couldn’t wait to meet the people God would place in my path.

When our team arrived safely in São Paulo, we witnessed God move in powerful ways. As God worked through us, He was also working for us — teaching, edifying, and transforming our hearts. Each team member served as a willing vessel for God’s Kingdom. Everywhere we went, there was a tangible manifestation of God’s presence. People received deliverance, healing, reconciliation, peace, hope, and joy. But above all, I truly believe that many names were written in heaven. Glory to Jesus! It was a blessing to witness God’s power and love in action.

I am deeply honored that God chose to use me as one of His vessels. Every time He uses my hands, feet, eyes, or voice, I am reminded of the Father’s deep love for His creations. God values every person and He hears their cries. Therefore, He uses His children to reach others and share the message of His love and salvation.

Street Outreach

During our first street outreach, we divided into groups and went different directions to share about Jesus. Some people rejected the message, but that only strengthened our faith. As we walked, we met two homeless men sitting under a tree. We shared the gospel — the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. We prayed for healing in their bodies, minds, and hearts. One of the men accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior. Heaven rejoices when one sinner repents and returns to God, and so do we. All glory to God!

After we prayed with them, we continued walking. Suddenly, I remembered that the night before, while praying, I had seen a vision of a man sitting under a tree. I realized that God had shown me that moment in advance, even though I hadn’t understood it at the time. God is good! The Holy Spirit will declare to us what is to come. (John 16:13)

We kept walking and praying in tongues, I asked the Holy Spirit to lead us to the next person we should minister to. I then saw a pair of crutches and felt in my spirit that our next encounter would be with someone using crutches. Sure enough, as we were heading back, we saw a man standing in the doorway of his store, holding two crutches. We greeted him and asked if we could pray for him. He replied with a serious and unhappy face, “I have another religion.” I gently said, “We just want to pray for your healing.” He agreed, and as we prayed in Jesus’ name, his expression changed completely—his face lit up with joy as if a heavy weight had been lifted. Praise the Lord for His mercy and compassion!

That outreach filled my heart with so much joy and peace. I realized how much I love sharing about Jesus—it brings joy to my heart. It’s such a privilege to tell people about the one true God who created them, who died and rose again so we may have life in Him.

Bus Station Outreach

One cold, windy evening, our team went to minister at a bus station. We split into small groups and began offering prayer to those passing by. Some people accepted, and others didn’t—but the presence of God filled the streets. Many gave their lives to Jesus that night. We hugged, cried, prayed, and gave glory to God right there on the sidewalk. The presence of the Lord was tangible—people were lining up for prayer, one after another. It filled me with so much joy and peace. I truly enjoyed it.

During this outreach, there was one young woman I will never forget. As we prayed forher, I kept hearing in my heart, “She sings.” So I asked her gently, “Do you sing?” Her eyes widened in surprise, and said, "yes." We’d never met before, so she knew it was from God. She began to open up and share her story. We both cried, hugged, and prayed. When I asked if she wanted to receive Jesus as her Savior, she said she wasn’t ready yet.

That day, I was wearing a necklace with my church logo—a simple design that tells the story of the Gospel: God’s Creation, Satan’s Deception, Christ’s Substitution, and our Restoration. I felt led to give it to her, as a reminder of God’s love and the encounter we had that evening.

When I returned to the hotel, I checked my phone and saw that I received a message on Instagram. It was from the girl that we prayed for. I hadn’t given her my contact information, yet somehow she found me. Her message said:

“Hi Menorah, I just wanted to thank you for your words today. I know it was God who put you in my path today in front of that station, and I was even more certain when you looked at me and asked, ‘Do you sing?’ I felt something I can’t explain. I’ve always trusted God, the Lord Jesus, deeply. But I’m going through so much, you know? So many things happening to me that have made me lose my way—not just the path of Christ, but the path of everything. When the woman approached me, she asked me the truth about myself—something I wanted us to pray about—and I said, ‘I need to find myself because I feel so lost.’ I’ve been crying out to God so much for a way out, for a solution, for Him to enlighten my mind and make me see what He has prepared for me, to lead me on the right path, and above all, to make me see that path.

Then you appeared, and I felt God so deeply in the words you spoke to me. When we finished praying, and you—without knowing me, having never seen me before—asked if I sing, I was certain that it was God in that moment, there among us, and that it was He who told you. Because singing is the thing I love the most in life. He gave me this gift, and I am so proud and grateful for it that I sing all day long for everyone to hear—not for money or fame, but for love.”

Reading her message brought me to tears. I knelt down and gave all glory to God. This reminded me why we, as children of God, must go and share Jesus with others. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and the world needs to know Him. Let us be willing vessels with obedient hearts, ready for God to use us to reach the lost ones and show them the love of the Father.