Thrill in Brazil - Redeeming Castaway Lives
by Dr. Hans Finzel, President - WorldVenture

So much of my life is spent behind the desk in Littleton, doing things I need to do, but not necessarily what I enjoy the most. When I have the opportunity to visit the real work of CBI on the front lines of ministry, I never cease to be encouraged by what God is doing.

Paulo & Ireni Mota, with their children, Daniel & Sofia

Five years ago I went to Brazil and met a young couple named Paulo and Ireni Mota. Paulo had a vision to reach the abandoned street children of São Paulo. With over 20 million people, São Paulo is the largest city in the southern hemisphere. There are a half million castaway kids that live on the streets. When I met Paulo five years ago, he was discouraged by the lack of sponsorship and funding for his ministry. It seems no one had a vision to stand with him. WorldVenture in partnership with some strategic churches here in the U.S., adopted Paulo and forged a model three-way partnership between a national worker, local churches and the sending agency. Paulo and Ireni became full-fledged WorldVenture missionaries, and today they have a phenomenal success story.

As I viewed the fruit five years later, I was thrilled that we have 160 children off the streets and in our program. A three-story ministry center has been purchased, which is used -- among other things -- for Bible and English classes. The ministry also includes a 60-person orchestra where the children are taught to play musical instruments. Paulo and Ireni have also planted a church at this ministry center.

The 60-kid orchestra in action, playing the U.S. National Anthem for visitors. Promising young lives redeemed for the cause of Christ and made whole by his gospel.

Due to the generosity of some of our friends here in the States, Paulo, Ireni and their work, Restoration Ministries, were able to purchase a beautiful camp out in the countryside, which they have appropriately named Camp California. A number of their ministry partners live in California. Thousands of children are coming through this camp, many of whom have never set foot outside the slums of São Paulo. Hundreds have come to Christ already in the short amount of time since the camp was purchased. Paulo and Hans at "Camp California" -- a place of refreshment and ministry as well as the first view of grass, trees, flowers, mountains and birds for many street kids.

In addition to the ministry center and the beautiful camp, Restoration Ministries also rents two safe houses, one for boys and one for girls. They have been able to take children out of horrible living conditions as they come to Christ and begin the discipleship process.

One of our young ladies doing homework. Everyone has to do chores in the home and play a musical instrument.

These two boys, age 10, have no idea who their fathers are. They were rescued out of a life of drugs and prostitution four years ago. Yes, six-year-olds are involved in unspeakable things.

Is there lasting fruit? You better believe it. Some of the most encouraging things I saw were the young people whom Paulo and Ireni have been working with for over a decade who are now finishing high school and are even in college. God is at work redeeming castaway lives. I couldn't help but think what some of these children will become someday because people cared about their bodies and their souls.

Thank you so much for your partnership in ministry.

Hans Finzel
President, WorldVenture