Over 70,000 people have heard the gospel, and almost 7,000 have given their lives to Jesus. The Million Month Porto team writes: “Porto is on fire with the gospel!” Brazilian missionary Nany testifies to this too: “We just have to realise that outreach is not an event, it’s a lifestyle! How many Rita’s need Jesus?” Read Rita’s story here.
Meet Nany: A Missionary on Fire for Europe
Elaine Arruda, also known as Nany, is a full-time missionary from Brazil living in Porto, Portugal. Part of Família Jesus Copy, a movement focused on discipleship, she has been committed to making European disciples since moving there in 2022. This month, she witnessed God’s mighty work during Million Month in Porto. Long story short: individual lives were completely turned upside down.
One of them, Rita, accepted Jesus, went to church, got baptized, and even started attending times of intercession. God’s move in Europe is undeniable and unstoppable. Nany shares: “I thought: Lord, that’s a lot for my little theology. But this is the real gospel.”
Lord, that’s a lot for my little theology. But this is the real gospel.
Open-Air Preaching in Lisbon: A Nightclub Encounter
Not only Porto, but also Lisbon is filled with people whose hearts have flung wide open to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Nany shares a story from a nightclub district.
While a friend of Nany’s was preaching in the open air and making an altar call, some girls across the street mocked him, shouting, “Hey man, this isn’t a church! We came here to drink!”
A Word of Knowledge Changes Everything
Nany and her partner approached one of the girls. As Nany looked at her, she received a word of knowledge and said with compassion, “Please forgive the Church for what it did to you.” The girl immediately started crying and stayed on Nany’s shoulder, crying, for about forty minutes.
During that time, Nany shared her testimony, explaining that she had been neglected by the Church and had experienced childhood sexual abuse within it. She told the girl that what happened was not right, that God saw it, and that He understood her pain. The girl confirmed that she had experienced something similar and cried even more.
Although the girl had consumed some alcohol, she was clearly touched by God’s presence. She said her mother was a Christian and always prayed for her, and believed her mother had sent them there that night. Finally, Nany asked if she wanted to be reconciled with Jesus, and the girl wholeheartedly said yes.
Worship in the Subway: A Divine Appointment
Back in Porto, Nany had an encounter with Rita. The team decided to play piano and worship in a subway station. They were talking to people who were drawn to God’s presence when Rita suddenly approached Nany. She was playing the keys and singing when Rita whispered: “What are you doing?”
No one had to approach Rita—she was the one who started the conversation. Rita said: “What is this? In my whole life, I never felt a tangible peace like this. I want to cry out of thankfulness.” Nany shared the gospel with her, Rita repented and got saved. The next Sunday, she was in church.
In my whole life, I never felt a tangible peace like this.
The Love of the Father
Rita grew up in the traditions of Jehovah’s Witnesses, but her mom had been saved for a year and had started praying for her. Rita recalls the moment in the subway station: ‘’While I was sharing the Gospel with her on the metro, I found myself getting a little distracted during our conversation. So I explained to her that I have ADHD — that’s why I seemed a bit confused and restless at that moment. That’s when she asked me, ‘Is it okay, in our faith — with our God — for you to have that?’’’
Nany continues: ‘’I answered with confidence, “Yes, it’s absolutely okay! My pastor back in Brazil has it, and so does my mission pastor… in other words, my leaders in the faith are also like this. We just have a brain that works differently.” She listened and simply replied, ‘Hmm, I see.’’’
The story unfolds into a powerful moment that shows how God’s love and acceptance break invisible barriers and bring deep healing. Because later on, during the filming of a documentary for the Million Month, Rita shared with emotion, “I have an autistic daughter… and this God accepts my daughter.”
Baptism by the Beach: A New Life Begins
While sharing her story with people from the team, Rita mentioned that she knew baptism was the next step in her new friendship with Jesus. The team took her to the beach the next day, and the Holy Spirit moved powerfully during her baptism. As she came up out of the water, she was filled with the Holy Spirit and received the gift of tongues!
Nany met up with her and her daughter the following day. Rita testified: “In my whole life, I never slept so good like last night. This is the first time.”
In my whole life, I never slept so good like last night. This is the first time.
Rita’s story shows us not only that God is powerfully moving in Europe and that many are hearing about Jesus and His precious gospel. Her story also reveals God’s nature afresh: He is a Redeemer, He knows us deeply and personally, and He cares about our well-being.
