~ Sara, who was living in Turkey when she began her Restoration Journey, began by helping to translate our resources into Turkishâeven though her first language is Portuguese! Though this is extraordinary, her journey and the changes He has made in her is even more so. Just looking at her face, which is clearly glowing, speaks volumes and confirms one of our most favorite verses âThey looked to Him and were radiant, and their faces will never be ashamed.â Psalm 34:5
Before joining RMI when she became a worker@home, the Lord prepared Sara for her position as RMI's Translation Director by learning Turkish, Russian, English, besides speaking her native language of Portuguese.
â BIO LISTEN
Hi, Iâm Sara and I currently live in Istanbul in Turkey.Â
The first time that I found RMI it was in December of 2016. I had the opportunity to find the PDF of the book Restore your marriage in Portuguese but I just begin my courses in January of the next year, that's when my restoration Journey really started.
I came to RMI during a crisis in my marriage. That was when I learned how I didnât know anything about the Lord and that I have built my house in the sand, I was not living according to the principles of the word of God.
During the most difficult times, RMI and EW fed me spiritually teaching me daily what I didnât learn in years. RMI and EW have done so much for my spiritual maturity and in a way that now I can definitely say that I know the Lord. I am so grateful that He brought me here, that He changed me. I canât express how much RMI means to me, it's a joy to be part of this Ministry and have minded like women that I like to call my friends.
My life turned upside down literally! Since the first time I read Ch1 of RYM then now as a member of the Restoration Fellowship and an active member of the Minister team, I can say that I am a new woman a Bride. I have lost many things but I have gained so much more, and the most important is the Relationship with my HH. I continue to apply the principles that I learned in RMI to my life because it's not just RMI principles but it's Lordâs it comes from the word of God. One of the most amazing things that happened to me was to traveling the Living Abundant Life Tour with Tara who became, my sister and best friend, a friendship that will be for eternity. Travel was a dream that comes true and only He could have done that, He leads us to all the places that I dreamed about, something that He has told me 10 years prior, I wasnât married at the time.
I wanted to be a minister so I could help those who are just like a was, perishing without knowledge, I want to help and encourage women to pursue the most important relationship of their lives.
Iâve been learning so much by being a Minister, each and every situation is different, and the more I learn, the more I realize that I donât know anything, that without Him I can do nothing.
He is the first in my life, and as I shared each and every situation is different, in my case I needed to pass through a divorce to surrender everything to Him. You can call me crazy, but it is worthy, He is worthy of everything!
Do I believe that the Lord can restore my marriage? Yes I do, but now itâs our time together and I want to enjoy every moment that I can only belong to Him when my heart is fully His, so now thatâs is my focus to learn more about Him and like the unmarried women who takes care of things of the Lord.
All the resources helped me the most, and itâs very difficult for me to choose a favorite one because all resources helped me in a different season of my life and my Journey. Â
When I first read about RFÂ a church without walls, I became very excited, It was very strange to me to go to church and see believers not following Him, that was my story. I wanted to fellowship with people that have the same heart and that love Him. Now I am able to fellowship with His brides and I have so much more growth in my walk with Him now then II was in the church.
 became a Christian when I was 15 years old, but it was just when I began my RJ that I learned who He is, even being a Christian for so long I didnât have the foundation, the seed was not planted in good soil. But now I can say that I know Him, and I like to say that when the crisis in marriage happened, thatâs when I was saved!
I just want to encourage each one of you that are hearing or reading my BIO that this is a journey, there will be ups and downs on the way but we can find our joy in Him. He is amazing and he is real, He will never leave you or forsake you. Now we cannot see Him, but we can listen to his beautiful voice and be comforted by Him the love of our souls. He is faithful and His love never changes, He is so amazing and I want to encourage you all to pursue a relationship with Him.
Sara, what brought you to RMIEW?
My journey began, when after 4 years of marriage I thought that everything was fine, but because I didn't know about the principles of God's Word, I started to see the destruction of my marriage. When I found the book How God can and Will Restore your marriage, it was like the Lord was speaking only to me. After finding hope, I started to apply the principles. In the beginning it was very difficult, because we think that applying the principles is enough. At the time I didn't understand very well how I could have a relationship and intimacy with the Lord. I also started the courses. I remember at the time it was the only thing that brought me peace.
How did God change you as you sought the LORD wholeheartedly Sara?
As I started doing the courses, and watching the Be Encouraged videos daily, the beginning of the journey is so difficult, so many things come to our mind, it's a constant battle. I spent most of my days literally crying to the Lord for help, we are so blinded with the pain and sorrow, that we can't enjoy the presence of the Lord and what He is doing in our life. The Lord put a desire in my heart to know more about Him, so I started reading and studying His word, my focus was to get rid of all the pain and suffering, and the Lord used this to teach me to seek Him and to have a relationship with Him. I spent four months alone, suffering, and crying, but during that time, He was molding me, transforming me to be His bride. I still have a long way to go, but with Him by my side, I only can enjoy.
What were the most important principles that the Lord taught and revealed to you, Sara, that made the most impact on your life during your Restoration Journey?
All the principles He taught me were important, because I was away from Him for so long. But if I need to choose the one that made most impact in my restoration journey was to be quiet, not only with my husband, but I learned not to speak about my situation with others, I learned to trust on Him always. In my life, I was used to asking people what to do, now I learned to ask the Lord what He wants me to do. The letting go is so important, when I started applying this principle I begin to see the Lord working in my life.
Sara, what would you say were the most difficult times that the LORD helped you through?Â
The most difficult times was when I was feeling lonely and away from people that loved me. But I knew that I needed to pass through it with the help of the Lord. Dealing with my negativity and my feelings was very hard, but the Lord used it to help me renew my mind, and to not rely upon circumstances. The other moment was when my divorce was finalized. I was so devastated, but it was that point that I really started to know Him.
What was the âturning pointâ of your Restoration Journey Sara?
The turning point of my restoration journey was my divorce!! Maybe you will think that I am a fool, but during the time that I was married, my journey was based on the fear of the divorce and I couldn't let go.That is what He used to turn my heart to Him, it was difficult and painful, I couldn't understand why I need to pass through this if I was applying His word in my life. The thing was that He wasn't the first one in my heart and mind.
Tell us HOW it happened? Where were you Sara? How did you feel?
After my divorce was finalized, I start to feel a peace that only came from Him, I was hurting for so long, I was suffering so much. So when the papers were done, I started to feel His healing. I started to think about Him, and His plans for my life. I have now more conversations than crying. I started to ask more of Him in my life, I wanted to feel the same love that the women were writing about in the Praise Reports. Finding the Abundant Life courses is helping me to be closer to Him. The trials continue, but because of my trust on Him, I really can see the way the He is working in my life. I am happy to be where I am now, I know that it's not finished that there are many things that He will do.
Would you recommend any of our resources? Resources that helped you come to this turning point Sara. Which resources helped you the most?
All the resources helped me: the courses, videos, the devotionals, the Bible of course, the encouragement that women write in praise reports. And also working with the translations for the Ministry helped me to understand that is not about me, that so many women are hurting and all of us need Him.
Sara, what would you like to say to a woman who is reading your BIO, helping to encourage her.
Dear bride, what happened with me is not necessarily what will happen with you. We all came here with the same purpose, that is to find help for our marriage, we all want the restoration. But after you will learn that the most important is the relationship that you have with the Lord.
I want to encourage you a never give up of your restoration journey, because it will lead you to the most important relationship that you can have during your life. Maybe you think that your situation is hopeless, but I know that the Lord can do the impossible, never look at your circumstances, run to Him only, and run fast. He wants your trust and love. Seek His presence and His will for your life. And soon you will see the many blessings that He has prepared for you!
READ more about #Sara in her ongoing Encouraging Praise Reports to witness her journey as it unfolds!