Meet the 84-Year-Old Woman Who Has Been Preaching in NYC’s Streets for 40+ Years
- Posted on August 7, 2012 at 2:32pm by
Billy Hallowell
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Missionary Irma Moraes (Photo Credit: CBN News)
There‘s something to be said for longevity and using one’s years well. Depending on where you stand on the theological front, 84-year-old Irma Moraes may be an immense inspiration who has done just that.
Moraes, an immigrant, has spent the past 40 years of her life handing out tracts and speaking to New York City residents about Jesus Christ.
“God told me to do this,” the elderly woman told CBN News when she was asked about her motivation to spend decades ministering in Manhattan’s streets.
While she credits prayer for the turn-around that the city has experienced, the street preacher maintains that there’s much work still to be done. CBN provides more about this fascinating woman:
Although she’s been in New York City since 1964, the Brazilian native still struggles with her English. But that hasn’t stopped her from returning night after night to pray and witness for Christ.
Times Square might seem like an unlikely place to evangelize with so many people out having fun, taking in the sights, sounds and shows.
But Moraes called Times Square the perfect place to tell people about Jesus.
“The hardest thing is the cold. It makes me feel frozen, then I have to go home,” she said.
But, despite the cold and other related challenges that come with age, Moraes continues to forge on, attracting those she meets with her bright spirit and consistent message. Aside from admitting being, at times, tired, the missionary has no intention of backing away from her ministry.
Watch her story, below:
(H/T: Deseret News)
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The_Cabrito_Goat
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 2:00pmThis lady makes me smile.
Report Post »lisa2994
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 11:19amGOD bless her! Not that I needed to say that because I am sure she has all of his blessings anyway!
Report Post »DontCompromiseMorals
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 8:19amRefreshing, sweet…doing what she’s called to do…spread the gospel.
Report Post »LeadNotFollow
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 12:09am…
Report Post »40 years. Well bless her soul.
She’s earned her place in Heaven.
We all have a calling, if we just listen for it.
Carlinpa
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 9:02pmAmazing.. God Bless her!!
Report Post »louise
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 7:11pmIn the world of 24/7 news stories that really aren’t all that important, here is a lovely spirit sharing the most important story of all.
Report Post »blackyb
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 8:34pmShe is getting older now and needs to recruit some people to help her.
Report Post »AmericanLass
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 5:19pmTruly on a mission from God. God bless her til he calls her some after her work for HIM is done. When HE will say “well done, my faithful one”.
Report Post »Amadeus52
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 5:18pmOne way to avoid getting a job
Report Post »N-TIME-WATCHER
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 6:18pmYou should be ASHAMED!!! WHEN the US economy goes BUST and you are in the streets begging or robbing for food she will have ALL her needs met by the God she serves. Turn to the only and true God while he can be found!!!!!
Report Post »blackyb
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 8:35pmYou are an idiot personified. She needs a job? No you are a lunitic.
Report Post »paul1149
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 4:07pmWhat a lovely spirit. Money, power or fame can’t buy that.
Report Post »blackyb
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 8:39pmThere is this teacher who worked in NY City some years ago and taught in NY. She said some of the kids in her class never had heard of Jesus Christ. They really had not after she thought at first they were kidding her. She is now retired in NC on the east coastal part. She was astounded that these people were so dummed down. These were teenagers she was teaching. God help us all. For it must be worse now.
Report Post »RevRiles
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 4:05pmThe women and children lead the way….
Report Post »bornagaincowgirl
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 4:02pmThis story and the one of the homless man who was outside of a Chick-Fil-A in Chicago reading his Bible and being harassed by members of the gay community remind of the scripture: ….the first shall be last and the last shall be first in the Kingdom of Heaven. Their lives bring understanding to that scripture. Their ordinary lives so reflect God, I’m touched and humbled.
Report Post »TEARS FOR AMERICA
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 3:58pmGod’s gotta love this little lady…what an inspiration…
Report Post »deedsundone
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 3:51pmTo Equaljustice. This woman’s got much better bodyguards than any on the planet. Please read Matthew 5:16 and 25:53. As for Dimmuborgir, this isn’t about her English proficiency and she did not express any desire to maintain her Brazillian culture. She is a Christian, not an American, Brazillian, republican or Democrat. Matthew 16:23.
Report Post »DimmuBorgir
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 4:12pmread my post on the Holy Spirit. Even God knew his message would be received better if it was spoken clearly in the native language.
Report Post »blackyb
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 8:45pmThere are stories of the “beyond the grave” type where people have seen glimpses of heaven or angels. There is this story about, in fact I got the book where this man wrote called 23 Minutes in Hell. His name is Bill Wiese. He, according to the book “…saw the searing flames of hell, felt total isolation, and experienced the putrid and rotting stench, deafening screams of agony, terrorizing demons, and finally, the strong hand of God lifting him out of the pit. God told him “Tell them I am cominv very, very soon!” It is worth reading. I certainly believe it.
Report Post »watersRpeople
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 3:08pmOr how about Dolores Hart? She sure got up and out of Hollywood to become a Nun quickly in the Catholic Church. Maybe she saw the bigger picture. I wonder how many successful actors scoffed at her.
Report Post »watersRpeople
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 2:57pmSome people say Jesus’ Apostles were older than Jesus was, physically of course.
Report Post »watersRpeople
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 2:45pmJesus probably did ask her to do it. I wonder if people see her for how she is: a woman who could have had much more, instead choosing to do her preaching. But many dismiss her as a loon, saying look at all she doesn’t have. I bet she’s got her soul.
Report Post »EqualJustice
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 2:43pmGreat, now the nasty, disrespectful Atheists will attack her, poor thing. She better get a body guard. She is brave and believes in what she is doing. God bless her.
Report Post »Too_Far_Gone
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 2:46pmDitto ..
Report Post »ModerationIsBest
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 4:39pmUs “nasty and disrespectful atheists” all must be busy. I guess give it some time then?
Report Post »DimmuBorgir
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 2:39pmgreat story and all, but there’s a problem with it. After 40 years in the states she still struggles with english???
I know this is a story about her faith, but come on. Why do immigrants insist on not integrating into society around them?
The immigrants that first helped build this country didn’t act this way. They taught their children to speak english because that’s the path to success in America, or it used to be.
Report Post »Best_Patriot
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 2:52pmshut up.
Report Post »DimmuBorgir
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 3:02pmwhy?
Report Post »DimmuBorgir
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 3:09pmor should i say, “¿por qué?”
Report Post »Best_Patriot
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 3:10pmBecause you’re cluttering up the internet.
Report Post »StatenJM
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 3:19pmI don’t think she is concerned with the earthly “kingdom” of America, and it hasn’t diminished the gospel message that needs to be heard. If she was here in America to build earthly wealth through business and such then I would agree with you, better english would be most beneficial, however, not for her case since she is living for Christ/God’s Kingdom and not this earthly one.
Report Post »DimmuBorgir
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 3:25pm@STATENJM
Don’t get me wrong I agree with you on the kingdom of heaven being infinity more important than our earthly one. I just think that 40+ years is a long time to not pick up on english a little more. Also It might help if she could speak the native language.
Remember the holy spirit allowing the disciples to speak different languages and go to all lands and preach the Word. She is in a english speaking country and it would help if she spoke english clearly when she spread the Word.
Report Post »IAMMADDOG
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 3:26pm@ BEST PATRIOT
You first.
Report Post »DimmuBorgir
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 3:28pm@BEST
That’s funny coming from a troll. You come to websites that you disagree with ideologically just to provoke anger from the other readers.
And I’m the one cluttering up the internet?
Report Post »Best_Patriot
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 3:46pm@IAMMADDOG, now that‘s the kind of creativity I’ve come to expect here. Very original!
Report Post »Anonymous T. Irrelevant
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 4:10pmThere are plenty of Americans in NYC who cannot speak English plainly.
Report Post »stumpy68
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 4:56pmOk dimwit -Borgir whatever
Report Post »your comments don’t warrant a reply but ill give you one anyway
learning the English language is difficult most first generation immigrants
retain a heavy accent even after many years my great grandmother
spoke 7 languages and read four and always told me English was the most difficult to learn.
blackyb
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 8:47pmThis is called swatting at a nat and swallowing a camel.
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 2:38pmThat lady has many crowns waiting for her in Heaven.
Report Post »The_Hut_In_Co
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 4:10pmAmen!
Report Post »randy
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 2:36pmGod bless this beautiful lady!
Report Post »Smokey_Bojangles
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 2:34pmBloomberg hasn’t had a spy drone flown in to her yet?
Report Post »Bless her heart.