Last night at Montana de Esperença

Wow... where to even begin. Today has been a day full of emotions and revealings of God´s mercy and grace in the lives of these children. It amazing how sometimes we dont think we can be used- but then God proves to us otherwise. This camp has been a challenge for each of us since the day we arrived. We were all tired, It didn´t seem like the children were as receptive to what we had to say... and we began to compare this camp to the last and how it wasn´t the same. We didn´t see what God had planned for us and i think we had set our expectations low for this week. But that´s not where it ends.

Phil Smith, the president of Hope Unlimited came and made a special visit to see us. He shared his testimony and history of how this organization began. It began whith his parents ministry in Ethiopia working with orphans that led him to Brazil in his adult life. I won´t write out all the details on here but it was clearly the hand of God that put him in the right place at the right time.

Part of our concern was the kids being distracted during the sermons. Night after night we thought no one was listening. However God showed himself every single time. Whenever there was an alter call or an invitation for prayer and it was evident that God had spoken to those kids. God is good!

There were about 30 boys total at the camp and 19 of them came to Christ this week! It made us realize that even when we were discouraged God was able to work through each and every one of us. Words can´t describe the emotions that went through us tonight. God is faithful. Seeing these kids lives changed impacted us in a way that we´ll never ever forget.

One boy, Ronaldo, was planning to run away just 2 days ago. He didn´t want to be here. He was in tears throughout the day and intended to run away that night. But, by God´s grace he didn´t. He heard the message spoken by Bill and turned his life over to Christ that evening. Then, tonight, after Hilario´s testimony- he stood up to tell us that he intends to stay at Hope Mountain, and he wants to leave here a better person. He wants his life to be transformed!

One little boy, Lucas, is around 10 years old. He used to be a leader of a gang. Tonight God touched his heart and he prayed the prayer of salvation! It was amazing to see God move through these boys´hearts.

We were told about another boy, Tarcicio, who because of his terrible background he was so hardened. His social parents have been struggling with him for a long time. He´s an incredible basketball player. He was asked to join Pro, but could not because of his young age and immaturity. Tonight he accepted the Lord as his Saviour.

We also got the pleasure of meeting a former student of Hope Mountain, Jose-William, with an incredible story. His mother was a secretary for a powerful politician. He worked as an office-boy in that office. He got involved with the man, and one day the politician was arrested for corruption. Jose-William visited him, and the politician ordered him to set fire to the police office to burn all of the evidence against him. The boy was arrested and the judge who knew the case had him sent here to Hope Mountain. After 3 years his life was transformed and right now he´s in college studying law with the dream to become a politician. He came to visit our group and say thank-you for encouraging my life last year. He says that he still remembers the service we had in the camp and in difficult moments he remember the faithfulness of the Lord and the importance of forgiveness.

I could go on and on naming story after story of the testimony of God moving here at this camp, but we will share more with you when we all return home. We came here to give and to help these children, but in actuality we are the ones who recieved. These kids have truely touched our lives!

Tonight was our friend Hilario´s last night with us. He shared his testimony with the children which really ministered to them. He has a background that the kids could relate to. He was an orphan himself, and he got involved with drugs. Suddenly he found himself stealing which led him in and out of prison for many years. He accepted teh Lord through a missionary that showed him a love he´d never felt before-the love of Christ. The message he gave allowed the children a hope of getting a new life. He was truley a blessing in our group and we will miss him. He flew home to Mexico this evening to be with his family, and to attend to his own orphanage in Guadalajara.

Everyone is safe. We leave tomorrow to head back to Vitoria. Pray for us that we will travel safely. We miss you all and we can´t wait to see you on Monday! God Bless you ALL!