As I sit, writing on my nice, expensive laptop, on my comfy sofa, in a beautiful home that is safe from the elements, equipped with central heat, air, bonus room, two car garage with a refrigerator and pantry full of food, I think about little Ana Vitoria.  I wonder what today will bring for her.   Ana Vitoria is a beautiful little girl living in Ubauna, Brazil, in the northeastern desert region of the state of Ceara, and today is her 5th birthday.  I know a Barbie-themed or Dora the Explorer-themed birthday party with lots of little girls and boys all sitting around her wearing birthday hats, eating sugary cake, blaring party horns in celebration with colorful balloons all around  is too much to ask in this impoverished area.

She lives in extreme poverty.  Food, safe shelter and medical attention are difficult to come by for her and her family.  They often go without.  It’s a tough, and often, sad life for a little girl to live.  There is no food stamp assistance, no children’s Medicaid and no Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF – “Welfare”) to get them through.  In her short life on this earth, she has seen more misery and hopelessness than most in America will ever experience in a lifetime.  To say that this is an unfair travesty would be an understatement. 

However, by the grace of God, Gospel for Brazil has been placed into her life to be the light of Jesus that will shine through the darkness that has oppressed her and her family, and offer her life-saving food and medical attention through the Seed of Hope Sponsorship Initiative (www.gospelforbrazil.org to learn how you can sponsor a child).  Our Life Group at The Sanctuary is privileged and honored to be her Gospel for Brazil Seed of Hope sponsor, providing life-saving food to her on a monthly basis, as well as meeting her basic medical needs.   Without our sponsorship of Ana Vitoria, there is a very real possibility that she could starve to death or suffer continued, serious malnutrition that could cause major physical disease,  plaguing her for the rest of her life.  

In addition to providing for her physical needs, Gospel for Brazil also feeds her spirit, teaching her and showing her about the grace, love and hope found in our Savior, Jesus Christ.

So to you little Ana Vitoria, Happy Birthday.  From us to you, a prayer to reach across the miles:

Father, we lift little Ana Vitoria up to you in humble gratitude for this precious life you have brought into our lives.  Touch her little spirit and fill it with peace, hope and joy.  Bless her with good health and strength, and fill her little tummy with food and nourishment.  Surround her with your holy angels and fire of the Holy Spirit so that her steps are guarded and her life is protected from any evil that may come against her and her family.  In the name of Jesus Christ, we bind satan and his dominions from having any influence in her life and we claim little Ana Vitoria, in the name of Jesus, as your child, Father.    Live in her spirit so that she may hear your voice and grow to be a godly woman and powerful warrior for your kindgom.  Touch her today with happiness and make her feel like a little princess that is worthy of being celebrated.  Just love on her and hug on her today, Father.  In the awesome name of Christ we pray…. Amen.