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The Story of Joaquim Alves
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JOAQUIM ALVES

As told by Joaquim at his baptism.

Reborn

I used to live in loneliness.

I used to seek and not find.

I used to want to communicate, but I couldn't.

I used to feel, but I couldn't share.

I used to cry, but my tears were dry.

I used to cry out for something, or some one, but my cries grew hoarse.

My life used to be desperate, without hope.

The world was a real and horrid nightmare from which I could not awake.

I used to live in darkness.

Then I died.

I seemed alone and blind, dumb and broken apart, full of anguish deep within myself and in my world, almost far from everything and every one, unfeeling, lifeless and weighed down, like a stone that sinks downwards, ever downwards, to the very bottom of me, my life, my despair.

Afterwards-Nothing. I had lost all feeling and I adapted myself to this unfeelingness, I annexed myself, I dont even know for how long, but the days carried on the same and I became indifferent.

Then one day I found Jesus, or rather He found me. He breathed a heavenly breeze on me, my eyes, the eyes of m soul, the eyes of my being and then I arose. He stretched out His hand to me and I accepted His salvation.

Now He is with me.

Now I have rediscovered life and He is with me!

Now I can share my feelings. He is with me!

Now I can feel the lives that need to be saved and I dont know how to reach out to them, but He's still with me!

Now I weep for all those who don't know that someone has suffered and died for them and don't take hold of this gift of life, ignoring the fact that He is with them!

Now I cry out aloud, "Hallelujah" for Jesus saves me day by day, inspight of the world,

Inspight of me Because He is with me!

Now I have Hope because He died for me on the Cross, for us all, washing away our sins with His Holy Blood, yet He died without leaving us for He arose. To be with me, to be with us all!

Now bright rays of light have broken through into the darkness where I lived, slowly, directing my path Step by step, showing me the right direction, rays that warm my heart, causing my blood to flow, my senses and my will. This light is Jesus who leads me to the Heavenly Father, transported by the Holy Spirit and, I am moved by such great fortune and I am calmed for I no longer feel alone for He is with me!

Glory to His name! Hallelujah

Lisbon, 1st December 2002.

Translated from Portuguese by John Hayworth