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Meet Pastor Ronaldo and Ana Cristina Custodio
Adventist Missionaries From South America working in East Timor
Learning to Count the Stars
Long ago, a man of God was called to leave his land and go to a distant place. Abraham, had no idea what he would face on the way, but he decided to accept that challenge, believing God would suit him for the mission.Although Ana and I sometimes feel like improbable candidates for overseas mission, the Lord brought us to the small Asian island of East Timor.
When we arrived in October of 2001, the scenery was still gray, a holdover of the devastation caused by the war in 1999. The Seventh-day Adventist Church had almost disappeared; only seven local members and a young regular worker were living here.
Language as well as social and religious factors were barriers that complicated the proclamation of the gospel, and for two years the Church saw little progress. Sometimes it was hard to understand why our prayers seemed not to be answered promptly. However, since that time we have learned to count the stars. When God asked Abraham to look up and count the stars, He was kindly contrasting human incapacity with His unlimited power.
A project involving volunteers from a neighboring country started to bring positive results; sincere souls were added to the Church and the first team of local missionaries was trained. The armed conflict of 2006 appeared as a new threat. Several Adventists had to abandon their houses because of the violence. However, God has His plans, and the displacement of members spread the good news through the interior of the country.
In 2007 some Timorenses volunteers were sent to Viqueque, a small town located some 280 km from the capital. Despite almost constant religious persecution and attacks from the local community, a group of courageous members was started. They have started building a small church.
God has done wonderful things here, such as curing young Ivonia who had been mute for almost a year and a half. After Adventist missionaries prayed for her, she spoke again, and her mother decided to become a Seventh-day Adventist. Other family members are learning about their newfound Adventist faith.
Thanks to God the Church in East Timor has become an organized attached field to the Southern Asia Pacific Division.
If you desire to become a missionary, or if you already are one somewhere in this world, you can be reassured of God’s presence in your life. No matter how disheartening the circumstances are around you, He will always help you count the stars.
Pastor Ronaldo and his wife Ana Cristina are missionaries serving ....
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