By: Diego Gomes
My story with New Zealand began in a simple and unpretentious way, as ordinary as a bottle of shampoo. I’ve been fascinated by the English language since I was a child. I remember watching Friends and trying to memorize and repeat the dialogues. For someone who grew up in a different context, my story might sound unusual. However, for many people around the world, learning English is a much greater challenge than most native English speakers realize.
I grew up in a poor neighborhood in the countryside of Brazil, where opportunities were limited. I didn’t have access to good language schools, other than the basic English lessons offered at my public school. Throughout my teenage years, I dreamed of the opportunity to go abroad for an exchange program to learn English, but that dream was completely out of reach for my family’s financial reality.
I read about England, watched shows that depicted American culture, and was introduced to Australia through the Hillsong music. I knew there were other countries where English was spoken, and I was aware of a place called New Zealand, which was near Australia, thanks to geography lessons I paid attention to.
I started working at a very young age, but I never managed to save enough for an exchange program. I did the best I could, watching series, talking to friends, and reading books in English. Even with my limited English, I seized every opportunity to engage with foreigners and practice the language.
At 32, I finally had the resources to spend a month studying in England. But in 2020, the pandemic hit, and like so many others, my plans were abruptly interrupted. Borders were closed, and my dream was postponed once again.
In 2024, after seven years in pastoral ministry, I decided to take a sabbatical semester. During this time, I began researching English schools for my long-awaited exchange. The cost of going to England—my original goal—was too high. The challenges of entering the United States were always many for Latin Americans, and although Canada was more “Brazilian friendly”, the investment there was still significant.
I didn’t want money to determine where I would go, I wanted it to be based on faith. But my budget was limited. That’s when I started looking into South Africa, which I had heard was a great option for studying English at an affordable price. I found schools that fit my financial situation and offered three-month programs, which matched my schedule. Plus, I’d always wanted to visit Africa, and South Africa seemed like a beautiful country to explore.
As the deadline for the program approached, I kept praying for God to open the doors. But the money didn’t come in time, and I lost the spot at the school I wanted in South Africa. I was devastated, but I kept my faith. I knew it was the right time for me to do an exchange, and I continued praying.
In July 2024, I came across a school in Auckland, New Zealand. The program fit perfectly with my schedule and was affordable. I kept praying, and step by step, God provided the necessary resources. Everything came through at the last minute: my passport, my flight tickets, my departure. By the end of August 2024, I was in Auckland, studying English.
I fell in love with New Zealand the moment I arrived. Over time, I discovered the country’s natural beauty, the kindness of the people, and its unique culture. I began to feel that I might stay longer than I had originally planned, but instead of worrying about the future, I focused on the present—learning as much English as possible and praying for direction.
I faced daily challenges: hours of lessons, endless homework, and extracurricular activities like evangelism, prayer meetings, preaching, and sharing testimonies. At times, I felt fear or embarrassment, but I never missed an opportunity to talk to people, expose myself to the language, and practice as much as I could.
Many of my classmates were applying for visas, trying to get jobs, and making plans for their future in New Zealand. I, on the other hand, knew I wouldn’t have enough money to stay longer, nor did I imagine it would be possible to pursue my pastoral calling in the country. But I kept praying about it.
At the end of October 2024, I learned about a position at a missionary organization looking for a director. I met all the qualifications and was impressed by the organization’s mission, which seemed like a perfect place to work and grow. With some encouragement from a friend, I updated my resume and applied. At the same time, I posted my resume on a job search website, even though most pastoral positions required residency or a visa. Still, I kept my resume posted as an act of faith.
After about a month of emails and interviews, I received the news that, although I made it to the “shortlist” of candidates, they had chosen someone else. I was disappointed, but I accepted that I would be leaving New Zealand, probably never to return. In my final week of classes, I gathered my remaining dollars to buy a few gifts for my family back in Brazil, but I also decided to buy a bottle of shampoo I had found in New Zealand that had worked wonders on my hair. When I went to the store, I thought about getting the smaller bottle, but an inner voice told me, “Get the larger bottle; it will last you until you return to New Zealand.”
In that moment, I thought it might have been the Holy Spirit speaking to me. So, I obediently bought the larger bottle, even though it meant spending more than I had planned. I didn’t allow myself to dwell on it too much — avoiding the risk of getting my hopes up. I returned to Brazil, celebrated my birthday, Christmas, and New Year’s with my family. In early January, I received two separate invitations from churches in New Zealand, inviting me to begin an evaluation process for a possible job.
That’s another story, long enough to fill a separate post. But after more than two months of meetings, interviews, and tests, I was hired to serve as a pastor in New Zealand. My religious worker visa was finalized, and I’m now on the verge of embarking on this new adventure.
The day I received the email from my immigration consultant confirming my visa, I began to cry. I went to the bathroom to wash my face, and that’s when the Holy Spirit whispered to me to look at the shelf of products in my shower. There, I saw the bottle of shampoo. I still have enough for few more weeks of use, and soon I will be back in New Zealand. That simple experience, with something as mundane and ordinary as a bottle of shampoo, reminded me of the care of my Heavenly Father, who clothes the lilies of the field, feeds the birds of the air, and watches over His children with such love and presence.
