"Dear Eric and Hannah,
Grace and Peace from Jesus Christ, our Lord. I am Izaías, pastor of Betesda Church in Serviluz, the church associated with social project Espacio Viva Vida, located in District Serviluz - Fortaleza, where children Estela and Gizelle attend.
I write in order to express my gratitude for your valuable sponsorship and the support given to Estela and Gizelle. I am grateful because I know that with your help we have improved their day and we can generate in children and young people the prospect of living in all aspects.
We realize that we need to advance; there is still much need, so much mystery. We have various difficulties in the community, such as sanitation, housing, health, education, a precarious family structure, high rates of prostitution, violence and so on. But in contrast to everything, I see a great love for Christ.
I think we can do more use of mechanisms, tools, ways, better way of presenting the Gospel that produces dignity; think of assistance and social action coming together. We can develop mechanisms such as professional training courses in various areas, classes of musical instruments, singing and vocal, dance and theater, etc.
The project has been relevant to the community, has made a difference where it is inserted, has impacted the spiritual lives of children, youth and their families, many to realize the love of Jesus Christ. Another blessing that the project brings to the community is the community therapy. Paradigms have been overcome through this initiative, because it was something far away, and today is part of the reality of people.
In this process of transformation and maturation, can not forget to mention the precious collaborators, true heroes of faith, local missionaries, we call employees. Men and women of the community, who work hard as mentors, cleaning, preserving, education, visiting, teaching and learning about life. Men and women also undergo restoration processes, encourage children and young people to have another view of the world, showing them that we rely on them for a more humane and just world, in addition to announcing the Gospel of Jesus Christ to them.
I am convinced that Space Viva Vida is a project of God. Through your sponsorship, God has given dignity, has shed his grace in each child's life, and especially in the life of Estela and Gizelle. God has revealed Himself through the project, has shown it is possible to live with dignity, regardless of events, social class, the locality. It is possible to reach a human being in totality: body, soul and spirit. You, who made a covenant with the Lord on behalf of this project, keep believing, remain in relationship.
Know that many children realize they are important when they receive letters. They feel loved, cared for, nurtured, perceived, it is as if the geographical distance does not matter, it all makes very good to them.
Rest assured your effort, your dedication, your prayers have produced in children, the certainty that it is always worth living. The invisible God becomes visible in hearts in love with jesus as yours. Your faithfulness to Estela and Gizelle is the realization of the verse "...and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth" (Acts 1:8, NIV).
I ask you to let us also be partners in prayer; we pray for you. Pray for the families because they are lacking in many aspects of life, pray for the children and young people; many persist in going without perspective on life. Pray to the Lord always strengthen us in our arduous journey.
I conclude writing, that God may be praised by everyone's life. My expressions of gratitude are small before the greatness and nobility of all. We are grateful for you to embrace the cause of Christ. May the Lord continue honoring, blessing you and your family. The Lord bless you and keep you.
Sincerely,
Pr. Izaías"
I love learning more about the communities that our kids live in the work that the pastors and church members are doing on behalf of our kids! Have you received any pastor's letters?
