I Am. Aldivan Teixeira Torres

to you. My father has promised me and my followers happiness, success and safety.

      — And what must I do? How to reach this level of safety? (Bernadete Sousa)

      Aldivan turns to her and the others. Full of the holy spirit, he speaks:

      — You pray like this: “Eternal father, lord of the spiritual and carnal armies, I beg of you, peace, tranquillity, joy, happiness and your protection on earth. I beg of you that wherever I go, my feet walk to success, bliss and sanctity. Free me from evildoers, slanders, kidnappers, hired assassins, the stray bullets, swindlers and any criminal type. Free me from the spiritual forces opposing mine, for example, demons, spiritual beasts, spiritual powers and all their tricks, such as black magic, works, spells and witchcraft. That the infernal gates do not approach, do not defeat me, nor prevail in my life.Finally, that nothing bad happens to me, my family and all who accompany me. I beg you for the mercies of the cross, of the seven thousand virgins, the pure spirits, the angels, the chosen ones and all the benign forces. God of mine, do not ever abandon me. Amen.”

      — How often should we pray? (Rafaela Ferreira)

      — Everyday, for the enemies await looking for only a slip of ours. When you go praying, go to your room, and affectionately talk to the father. I promise that to those reciting this prayer with convict faith, will be lacking nothing and in the spiritual aspect will obtain protection and predilection by God’s side. Do not give up, brothers. Our strength is in praying. (The son of God)

      — Thank you. (Bernadete Sousa)

      — Nothing at all. Are we going, Rafael? (The seer)

      — Yes, let’s go— He answered.

      The group continues to walk in a northern direction, towards the road giving access to the highway BR 232. Next destination: Pesqueira, the land of grace and lace.

      On the way, they meet acquaintances and strangers and out of politeness, they greet everyone. At that point, everything conspired in favour and was necessary that they continue to follow their own values.

      As everything in Mimoso is near, in ten minutes, the group gets to the road and as a coincidence, an empty bus pass exactly at that time. They get in the vehicle, a grey coloured beast of fifteen seats.

      When everything is ready, the journey restarts. Along the road, they have the chance to admire the wild nature, passing through the villages of Novo Cajueiro, Riacho Fundo and Ipanema. After this point, there were fourteen kilometres to cover.

      As they go along, they try to entertain themselves the best way possible. Arriving at Pesqueira, there are dropped in the centre, opposite the cathedral of Santa Agueda. From there, they head in the direction of the bus to Cimbres, that is a few blocks away, and near the local bus station.

      Going from side to side in the streets, making strategic stops, the seer’s team stood out wherever they passed. Together, they gave the impression of being a sole body in search of a mutual realization, apart from being protected against eventual attacks. What bandit would risk confront them? Even unarmed, they knew too well how to defend themselves.

      The weather gets hotter. They step up the pace, making shorter the distance separating them from the destination. Every second was important in the life of those who were in a hurry to win and be happy.

      It was thus, that with no major setbacks, they arrive at the bus stop. It was exactly 10H00 and they must wait a while until making up the numbers, with seven more passengers. When it is completed, they get in the transport, a green combi, with the side windows broken, and start the trip.

      They cross he centre, climb up the neighbourhood of Water tank, and take an asphalt road, but in bad condition. Going up a steep incline, narrow road and sinuous bends, the combi reaches the mountain top and takes the flat part. This was a relief to everyone.

      Now it was only a short distance. The remaining thirteen kilometres are covered on a road almost without traffic, because it was the beginning of the year 2015, the month of January. Suddenly, gets dark, dark clouds fill the sky, but it is a false alarm. The drought lasting already three years promised to perpetuate itself for some more time, what a pity for everyone.

      A little further ahead, more bends that are negotiated easily by the experienced driver called Toledo. Nothing seemed to scare them now apart from their own internal fears.

      Fifteen minutes later, the trip is completed, and the vehicle leaves them in the centre of the village, on the edges of the square and just opposite the church of Our Lady of the Mountains. Alighting, they pay the fare, say goodbye and begin to walk. Consequently, new perspectives appear.

      The village of Cimbres was an historic place, one of the first to be discovered by the Portuguese in their forays to the interior of the state of Pernambuco. It didn’t develop because of the transport difficulties imposed by the mountain, but has already been the seat of the senate of the Municipality, which influence extended over the whole of the interior, part of Bahia, Paraiba and Alagoas.

      What was the reason the seer had brought them there. A place that now is an indigenous area, belonging to the Xucuru nation, after long years of fighting and blood with the local landlords. The answer: Nobody knew it.

      The seer goes along the main street of the village and his friends accompany him without questions. They do it for respect to him and by the assurance he transmits with his words, affection, treatment and his presence. It seemed that the man knew the right moment for everything, adjusting them perfectly. In it resided his wisdom, intelligence, dignity, tenderness and his value as son of God. Something undisputable, indeed.

      They cross the entire village and approach the local cemetery. With each step the son of God seemed nervous and uncomfortable. What did he intend? Whatever it was it was something important indeed, to have had the trouble to come there, an inhospitable and frightening place.

      They arrive in front of the place and as it was daytime, it is open to visitors. They go in the dead precinct, walk in between the graves and stop in front of one. At this moment, stubborn tears roll down the son of God’s face and everyone got emotional. He then spoke:

      — I brought you here for a reason: To show my glory and my humanity. Before being son of God, I was human and like any other one I carried my pains and sufferings. We are in front of my father’s grave, who died when I was only fifteen years old. Despite the fact, he had been a distant father, strict, and sometimes insensible, I must recognise that he was hard worker, honest and conscious of his obligations. I was the only son that he allowed to study and through my efforts I regard myself as a great man. I am sure that he has seen my success and therefore did not want me to become a farmer. Just as well! Let him rest at a good place. (The son of God)

      — He is because of your help. Your constant prayers and your day of vote soften his pain and suffering. (Rafael)

      — Yahweh God loves you a lot and can do anything for you. (Added Uriel)

      — Yes, I know it. His grace is always with me. (The son of God)

      — I have also suffered, master. The separation with the one I regarded as my love was like dying. (Rafaela Ferreira)

      — My greatest pain was the loss of my son. I was forced by the circumstances to withdraw him. But, it was not easy. (Bernadete Sousa)

      — My pain was to lose my mother and to find out that my father was a boozer. Nowadays my family is God the father, the guardian and you. (Renato)

      — I know it, my brothers! What I offer through the power of Yahweh, is protection, relief and the expectation of a new life. I am not offering utopia, I know that you have sufferings that cannot be forgotten even as time passes. (Aldivan)

      — Then touch me, son of God! Travel though my story —Asked Bernadete Sousa.

      The son of God smiles and dries the tears. It was the invitation he was waiting for to act. With a signal, he calls the apostle, she comes beside him and resting against her father’s tombstone, he touches her near her breasts, a second time.