Larissa
"I was born in Brazil but raised in the United States. My dad pastored a mostly Brazilian church in Queens, New York. I had many early experiences with God's love, presence, and healing. Growing up in New York exposed me to people from all types of countries, which I believe prepared me for missions.
We moved around a lot, and I struggled with self-esteem and anxiety. Even though I loved the Lord, I didn't understand that God could help me with those struggles. When I got to college, I became hopeless and strayed from the faith. I was stuck in sin cycles and going through some of the worst years of my life faith-wise. But I could always hear the voice of the Lord. I heard Him say, "Go home," and I returned to New York and got back to the Lord.
I struggled with anxiety for the longest time, to the point that I thought it was part of my personality. Although I'm a very friendly, outgoing person, I had crippling anxiety around new people. I never thought the Lord could take that away from me. One night at Christian conference they invited everyone to come to the front for prayer. I went forward to receive prayer, and heard the Holy Spirit nudge me to pray over anxiety. It was like a mustard seed moment because I didn't have confident faith that it would leave, but I felt I had just a little bit of faith that He could do it. I prayed, and I physically felt it melting off my chest, like something was being removed from me. Then I felt the freedom right after. I started walking up to people, not afraid of them or afraid to talk to them. It blew my mind that this was something God never intended to be part of me, and I was completely delivered from it.
I was receiving messages that God wanted to use me with children, "I want you in Thailand. I want to use you with children." It was one of the most direct experiences I ever had with the Lord telling me to go somewhere. I wasn't open to being a missionary, but I believe it was God's way of getting me there so He could work on my heart.
In 2024, the Lord opened the doors for me in Thailand for discipleship training school. My heart has totally changed. I'm all in for missions. I really feel like I've found my life in obeying the Lord. It's hard, but it's so worth it. Wherever God wants to take me, I'm open to go. “The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So, it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” John 3:8
Recently I sat outside on the balcony in Vietnam, I just sat with Jesus. I was feeling pain in my heart and I started crying. I felt Jesus telling me, “Let me take care of you today.” I felt touched by His love. I was singing and crying to the Lord. Talk to Jesus, read the Bible and sit with Jesus in silence. Ask Him to help you understand it. My name is Larissa, I’m human, and I surrender."
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