Miracles happen when people pray
I still remember how it all started seven years ago… We heard the trucks going down to the eastern marsh and saw the smoke rising. Somehow, we knew this was going to be a long battle, but we didn’t know how it was going to end.
From the beginning it was clear that we needed a ‘big miracle’, for this was a very uneven fight, it was a David and Goliath encounter. The first sign of God´s faithfulness came from the proposal of a local group to come and pray for us once a month. These good people of God live in the Algarve most of the year and come from different churches and different Christian backgrounds. They meet regularly to pray. What an example! While my kitchen table disappeared under piles of documents, and yet more documents, because of new attempts to destroy the marshes, and through all the long waiting: days, weeks, months and years, they were with us, asking God to save the Alvor Estuary. Their voices were joined with many more from our big and wonderful A Rocha family and others around the world; even friends who don’t claim any faith joined us in some form of prayer! We could feel the care and love of God amidst our distress and that gave us courage to carry on.
When the first court hearings took place, there were some signs of hope. Long working hours proved to be indispensable to create a very good case. Only a corrupt judge could not prove us right (unfortunately that could be the case…). But still we had to wait, and wait and wait… Somehow, there was always some paper missing or lost by the court clerk. Again we were supported with prayers.
One night Marcial came upstairs in a rush (he didn’t want to shout because we were not allowed to say anything until the result was published) and gave me a big hug and said, “We won”. I couldn’t believe my ears! We started jumping (quietly) in our living room with tears coming down. What a marvelous feeling! It was not just about winning − we also sensed God’s justice. It was not our victory, but the victory of God and of those praying voices, more effective than human devices.
Next time the prayer group met, we celebrated in Cruzinha’s common room with a glass of champagne and some strawberries (after all it was during Wimbledon!) and we raised our glasses in gratitude to God, the Creator and Protector of Alvor Estuary (and all the world).
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About Paula Banza
Paula has been working for A Rocha Portugal for the last 21 years on environmental education and conservation. She’s a Biology and Geology Teacher with a Master’s on Conservation Biology and a PhD in Biology with the theme of Pollination Networks. She is married to Marcial Felgueiras and they have two children, Beatriz (25) and Zé (23).
View all posts by Paula Banza (2)
We’re jumping with you!
I’m drinking the champagne and strawberries!!!!!
Excellent! At last. Great news.
We have been deeply moved over all these years by the sacrificial, deep and prayerful commitment all of you have shown in fighting for the integrity of this special place on God’s earth. Thanks for telling us a bit more of the inside story here, Paula!
Yes, an amazing piece of news which we celebrated with joy and hope back in the spring.
I always love to return to this estuary. I hope it remains intact for a long time to come.
This is a beautiful story, beautifully told – what a privilege to have been called into it with you by our amazing God. Your courage, faith-full-ness, perseverance, sheer hard work , humility & unfailing sense of humour are a huge inspiration to us & to your whole A Rocha family – thankyou so much for continuing to build our faith. Um grande abraco! x
Thank you for standing with us
Paula
Thank you so much for your comments and encouragement. It means a lot to me and to all ARP team.
We are looking forward to re-visiting Cruzinha in 2013 and congratulating you on a fantastic result. We are also supporting the fight to prevent development from wrecking the wonderful Pera Marsh (Salgados) near Alcantarilha.