October 4, 2003

Dear Brothers and Sisters, 

We are so thankful for all the things that God had done in our lives and ministry. We want to thank all of you who have been our faithful financial and prayer supporters. Also we want to thank those who write us letters of encouragement. A special thanks to the directors of BFM. A special thanks to Bro. Parks for his help and being available regarding his area of duty. May God richly bless each of you. We thank God for giving us good heath and supplying our needs. 

We were privileged to organize one more mission point in the city of Marilia. The organization service was Sunday afternoon, September the 21st. There were people from many churches and from many different cities. We had the privilege of hearing Bro. John Hatcher preach. There was a full house. Actually it was overflowing. Many people had to stay outside. There is lots of work to be done in that city. There are 4 big universities in Marilia. What a mission field. We are praying about doing more ministering in that city. In a city of 200 thousand there are only about 10 Baptist churches. Pray with us that God will lead us about where to start this new work. 

Our school is doing fine. Trying to reach the hearts of these kids is sometimes a mystery. We always ask God to give us new ways to touch their lives. They have given up on themselves and they don't understand God's love. So through lots of love time and attention they start to understand that God does exist and that He does love us. I want to share with you an essay that one of the boys here wrote. He writes poorly and has a real hard time in school. His name is William and he is 15 years old in the 5th grade. His life is full of hate, killing and rejection by his family. He always believed that he would never be anything. Now we see a light at the end of the tunnel. This is William's essay. The essay title was this: Reason For Being Thankful. 

"I would like to thank God for dying in my place. God, thank you for taking me off the streets and from my death. I would like to see You in Heaven one day and thank you for all the things you have done for me. God thank You for giving me a bed to sleep in everyday, and for bringing me to the Alpha and Omega home. Here I am changing my life. God, I know that you took me off the streets because you have an objective for my life. God I want to ask You to forgive me for letting Satan use my life. I want to change my life. I want the people that were scared of me to be proud of me. I love you, Jesus Christ, from the bottom of my heart. I'm going to be your servant. I'm going to forget all the sadness and not look back." William 

What a love letter to our Savior. William's heart is so simple. But God has touched him. That God may keep us simple that we may never take God for granted. Pray for him and all the others that God has placed in our hands. You have a part in this blessing. 

Love, 

Odali & Kathy Barros,
Tito, Jonas and Gabriel