Exciting days

Many of you know of Bruninho.

back in 2001, i lead a small group of ACU friends on a short mission trip to BR. 

we worked with the orphanage, and lead a VBS with their kids and from the community. 

we went to several public schools during the week, talking to the students and inviting them to come to VBS. 

then we met Bruninho. he was a short 12 year old who became very attached to our campaign group. he would guide us around town for lunch, introduce us to all his friends at school, and at the end of the day we'd take him home. a very small, poor, far away shack that he and his family lived in. 

i fell in love with Bruninho. he has the most precious smile, a kind spirit, and a victorious character. mark and i started helping him with some basic necessities - dental care, english classes, and big dreams for his life. we wanted to do so much more, but we lived so far away... 

every summer that i was home from college, or when mark and i came on campaigns, he was there! involved, learning and eager for more. 

when we moved to Brazil last September, we were so glad to be closer to him. 

Bruninho is now 19 years old, 2nd year of business school, full-time employee at a tech support company, and very good in English! He plans on going to CANADA at the end of the year for a month to practice his fluency... CANADA! 

we have watched God transform his life in so many ways. 

and this past weekend was the biggest way yet. 

Bruninho decided to publicly declare his faith in Christ and thru baptism! he came to our home a week before, and shared his faith, and as i listened to his heart pour out before God, i was taken back to 2001... and the short 12 year old boy... and all the potential we saw in him, and knowing that God would bless him, and praying over him for 7 years... 

God is moving mountains around us in very visible ways. 

and we can't believe we are a part of this process! 

and you are a part of this, too. 

ali