Transformed Communities

Cali, Colombia Why It’s Interesting: For decades, the city of Cali carried a notorious reputation as the Cocaine capital of the world. No institution escaped the ruling cartel’s ruthless and corrupting hand. In the mid 1990s, however, the drug lords’ icy grip was finally broken when desperate believers surged into local soccer stadiums to hold all-night prayer vigils. The Experience: Opportunities abound to observe God’s handiwork in this city of 2.8 million. Of particular interest is the Christian effort in public education and health care. Visitors can also get a sense of the remarkable unity that has attended the city’s revival from pastor Ruth Ruibal. And if you visit around Easter, make a point of attending the extraordinary all-night prayer vigil.

Karawa, Papua New Guinea Why It’s Interesting: With a long tradition of worshipping the Devil, Karawa has been called the backward sister of the Keapara villages. In 2006, however, the locals took a cue from Fiji’s Healing the Land process and burned their fetishes in deep repentance. Economic life improved almost immediately – salty water turned fresh, gardens thrived, and abundant sea-life returned. The Experience: The 3-hour drive to Karawa along the Magi Highway hugs one of the most scenic coastlines in PNG. Upon arriving, chances are you’ll be served a traditional welcome of boiled sago and bananas. The “singsings” are as unforgettable as the views from this inner lip of Hood Lagoon. But beware the souvenirs – three-legged coffee tables carved from a single log!

Fischer Village, Brazil Why It’s Interesting: Fischer Village doesn’t look like much until you realize that, up until a few years ago, most of the inhabitants were living in a garbage dump. Fighting with vultures for scraps of rancid meat, their constant companions were disease and death. Moved by their cries, God launched a rescue plan that has brought dramatic healings, new homes, and fresh hope. The Experience: Located on the outskirts of Teresopolis – itself impacted by a recent move of God – Fischer is a noisy village filled with grateful people willing to tell their story. We like to visit them in the company of Andrea Alvarez, a local physician, who served as a prime catalyst in the turnaround. And before you leave the area, be sure to check out the nearby prayer grotto!

Nateleira, Fiji Why It’s Interesting: This seaside village was the classic case of paradise gone wrong. No fresh water, a dead reef, and a rash of youth suicides. But that was before the 1,200 or so locals repented of their sin and rededicated their land to God. Two days later a brilliant light appeared over the coast setting the sea ablaze for 30 minutes. When it was all over, the reef had been healed and thousands of fish were swimming in the shallows.  The Experience: The village “Eco Lodge” offers a spartan but serviceable accommodation to anyone wishing to listen to the villagers’ stories and partake of their supernatural bounty. A newly-erected monument near the community center marks the day of the Lord’s visitation. It’s worth a photograph.

Manchester, Kentucky, USA Why It’s Interesting: Clay County, Kentucky is the seat of notorious family feuds that have claimed over 160 lives. It has also been one of the poorest, most drug-addicted areas in the United States. But that’s history now. In 2004, local believers gathered in a downtown park to say, “Enough!” The subsequent Awakening has rearranged every aspect of life in this former saltworks. The Experience: You don’t have to spend a long time in Manchester to see why the former “Painkiller Capital of America” is now called the “City of Hope.” No less than 46 U.S. states and 5 countries have contacted the city’s faith-based rehab center for answers. Talk with some of the newly-converted “moon­shiners,” or learn about the restoration of Kingdom Come State Park.

Almolonga, Guatemala Why It’s Interesting: This is the “Big Carrots” community made famous by The Sentinel Group’s widely-distributed Transformations video. Formerly a town of idolatrous and drunken brawlers, Almolonga is now a bustling, Christ-centered farming center. With 85 percent of its 19,000 inhabitants claiming a born- again experience, the secular media has dubbed it the “Ciudad de Dios.” The Experience: Walking the streets of Almolonga is like being in a spiritual Disneyland. Beyond the Scripture-laden stickers that adorn shiny Mercedes farm trucks, commercial testimonies – such as the Angels Bakery and the Vineyard of the Lord beverage kiosk – are found on every corner. And beaming smiles and kind gestures are as ubiquitous as churches.

Shillong, India Why It’s Interesting: Shillong is the capital of Meghalaya, one of only three Christian-majority states in India (all in the northeast). In 1905-1906, the area experienced revival, but the fire eventually died out. A century later, local believers prayed fervently for three years that God would come again – and he did! An outpouring in 2006-2007 saw thousands converted, healed, and delivered. Distilleries closed, and children spoke forth the Word of God. The Experience: A visit to Shillong, whose population is overwhelmingly Christian, is a special treat. Situated on a mile-high plateau a mere 35 miles (56 km) from Cherrapunji, the world’s wettest place, it is easy to understand why the area is called the “abode of the clouds”. Here you can meet eyewitnesses to God’s power, and visit rural churches where the revival continues.

Rukua (Beqa Island), Fiji Why It’s Interesting: Rukua is a coastal village on Beqa (pronounced Banga) Island, famous for its priestly clan of ceremonial firewalkers. After years of untimely deaths and social discord, villagers renounced the old ways and turned to God. The resulting transformation of their health, land, and community was featured on the Sentinel Group documentary, Let the Sea Resound. The Experience: Arriving in Rukua after a 45-minute boat ride, a short walk through the tropical fauna is a blessed experience. You can stay at a nearby resort or make it a day trip – but try to visit on a Sunday. The worship and fellow­ship are heavenly. It’s hard to imagine the ways things used to be, but they’ll tell you. And if you’re a diver, take time to swim out to the restored reef.

Algodao de Jandaira, Brazil Why It’s Interesting: Located in the desert region of northern Brazil, Algodao had not seen rain for 23 years. Only a handful of believers existed in this dying community – but as they cried out to God for help, he responded by opening the heavens. As rain poured down, the land and its people were transformed. Once described as “grey”, Algodao now grows several kinds of crops, and harvests fish and shrimp from a once dry reservoir. The Experience: A visit to Algodao is to witness the reality of Psalm 78:16: He brought streams out of a rocky crag and made water to flow down like rivers. Climb the mountain where believers prayed for God’s transforming touch. Then, walk the newly-paved streets and listen to the stories of how the “showers of blessing” have brought agri-jobs and doubled the population.