However, a few years later, I had reason for tears, for a strong wind coming in from the beach, felled our beautiful tree. The cashew tree grows so fast it apparently does not take the time to put roots deep down into the soil, strong roots that might anchor it before a hefty wind.
Next term, in a place named Boa Vista, on the banks of the Guamá River, we built a house on stilts on a clearing surrounded by Brazilnut trees. Those old trees were over a hundred feet tall. And in all my 57 years on the Amazon, I have never seen a Brazilnut tree brought down by wind! What is the mystery between the two trees, the cashew and the Brazilnut?
I know only two men who have actually seen a Brazilnut tree sprout and grow. Brother Carlito, son of Pastor Dario, was one of these two. The other fellow is Brother Vincent, who lives at the headwaters of the small Crauateua River. Very few people have witnessed this slow growth. One of these men, the farmer Vicent, said it took the tree eighteen years to produce the first Brazilnut. I think the delay might be because it was sending strong roots to the bottom of the soil, no doubt searching for rocks onto which it could anchor himself against the assaults of strong winds.
It might have been about 1960 on Possum Island that a shrimp fisherman, John Correia, declared himself a believer in Jesus Christ. He had studied the Bible for five years before his declaration of faith and baptism. Now in 2012, old and tired, he is still a believer!
There on the Guamá, one of our neighbors was a school teacher. She was also the local catechist. Finally, however, leaving Catholicism, she declared herself a believer in Jesus. Imogene had been studying the Bible with her for seven years before she identified herself as a Protestant! Dona Luiza died a few years ago, still firm in the faith. Her husband, Alvaro, 40 years after his baptism continues to believe, although confined to a wheelchair. These old folks resisted the winds!
CONCLUSION:
The tree that grows fast falls easily. The tree which is slow to develop may be sinking its roots deep into the soil.
Converts made after a few minutes (or days) of evangelization are subject to being toppled by the persecutions which inevitably come their way.
Mark 4:17 They have no roots. So they last only a short time. They quickly fall away from the faith when trouble or suffering comes because of the message.
A believer who has spent a lot of time studying the Bible does not fall, because his convictions are secure in the Holy Book that he had been reading.
Bill and Imogene Burk began their service with Grace Brethren Missions in Brazil in 1954. They continue to serve there.
Steve Bailey, Latin America Regional Director, writes, "I like this story especially for the excellent applications at the end which speak of two important values we hold dear at Encompass:
Evangelism is a process.
Effective evangelism utilizes the word of God (which alone is living, active, most powerful.1 Cor. 15:58 "