Rose with John and Josiane on their wedding day in Brazil
For 41 years, Jah-Jireh has cared for hundreds of faithful brothers and sisters, including many who spent their younger years in full-time service as pioneers, missionaries, circuit overseers, district overseers and such like! We really cherish our privilege to have supported such ones, and we have also been able to assist present-day full-time servants by providing loving care for their loved ones in times of crisis.
We recently interviewed brother John da Silva who serves at the Brazil Branch with his wife Josiane. His beloved mum, Maria da Silva (affectionately known as Rose) joined the Jah-Jireh family when she became a resident of our Leyland Home in March 2022 up until April of this year, when she sadly passed away. We will share her life story soon. We asked John about his assignment at the Brazil Branch and how Jah-Jireh was able to help support his family through difficult times. We hope you enjoy reading the da Silva family’s experience.
How and when did it come about that you were assigned to the Brazil Bethel?
“I was serving as a regular pioneer in a Portuguese group in Wolverhampton (which is now a congregation). Then, completely out of the blue, I received a letter from the Britain Branch informing me that there was a need in Brazil for someone who spoke both English and Portuguese to serve in the Translation Department. I later found out that my circuit overseer had given them my name. I think he wanted to get rid of me!
The letter explained the need and said that, if I was interested, I should complete a Bethel application form. However, it also made clear that this was not a guarantee that I would be invited, since they were contacting other potential candidates as well.
This was in 2004. Five months later, I received a letter informing me that my application had been approved and asking when I would be able to leave for Brazil. I arrived in Brazil on May 18, 2005.”
Bethel in Brazil
How did you meet Josiane and when did you get married?
“When I arrived in Brazil, I was assigned to the same congregation as Josiane. So, we knew each other for many years before we got married. We started dating in 2011 and were married on November 8, 2013.”
How has Jah-Jireh supported your mum and you?
“Had it not been for Jah-Jireh, I honestly do not know how we would have ensured that my mum received the care she needed and deserved while at the same time allowing me to fulfil my Scriptural responsibilities as a husband and continue my Bethel service.
During our regular visits from Brazil, we were always made to feel welcome at the home and were encouraged to spend as much time with Mum as we wished.
While it was understandably a little difficult for her to adapt to her new surroundings at first, Jah-Jireh eventually became her home, and she would often tell me that she was happy there. As a son living thousands of miles away, that always brought me great peace of mind.”
We are grateful to John for sharing his experiences with us and we pray for Jehovah’s blessing to be with him and his wife, Josiane in their assignment. We were deeply touched to hear that Sister Rose enjoyed her time at Jah-Jireh in Leyland. It is encouraging to know that our care and support brought comfort to both her and the da Silva family during those years.
Brother da Silva’s touching account inspires all of us here at Jah-Jireh to keep striving to give of our best in looking after those in our care. We thank you again for your generous support in helping us to continue to provide our service for our brothers and sisters in need.
