November 4, 2003

Dear Brothers and Sisters, 

May the grace of God be with all of you. Thanks to God we are all doing well here at the Alpha and Omega home and at the church and the mission points. Last month we organized one more mission point, and it is now Igreja Batista da Fé (Faith Baptist Church). The church is in the city of Marilia. We are praying for God's direction and the finances to start a new work in that city. The city of Marilia is really growing. It is a university town. There are 4 universities there. 

Here at the home we grow each day. There is such a need. God has done wonderful things in the life of many kids. Some are already working, others are doing well in school and others in sports. In some of the kids we thought we would never see changes, but now we are seeing a light at the end of the tunnel. 

This weekend something really wonderful happened. The situation is sad but the outcome is gratifying. One of the boys here at the home lost a brother. His 8 year old brother drowned. We talked to him and comforted him. We showed him that God had given him a chance to have a different life and that God could use him to win his family for Christ. He went to the funeral with two of our workers. Right before the funeral Tiago started telling all the people that were there about God. He spoke firm and with convictions. Even the Mormons that were there heard about God. God is wonderful. Tiago is 16 years old. He has only been here for about 3 months. We just praise God for letting use be a part of His plans!

In the midst of a lot of joy we have had some difficulties. Of all the difficulties the worst has been financial. I think that any father feels lost when he cannot pay for the bills at the end of the month. The difference here at our home is that since the family is big, so are the bills. We have done all we can in our reach to help get the bills paid. We sell recycling products, churros, paper organizers (made at the home), but with all that we still had to sell the farm to get automobile bills paid and the people that work with us. We do not want Government help. That would give them the right to tell us what to do. There are two things that we do not want to lose: the right to discipline, and to teach them about God as the Bible teaches. They would want to enforce their ways on us. We know very well that their system does not work. For this reason we are making an appeal to the people of God. You have no idea how hard it is for me to write this letter. But we are asking for you and your church to pray with us in a special way and then consider taking up an offering to help us through the end of the year. Some people have asked us what we want for Christmas. I think that being able to pay the workers, the light bill, food and clothes is good enough. 

Would you consider helping us in this difficult moment? Please share this with any one you would like to and with any one who would like to help us. Thank You! May God richly bless you.

Love, 

Odali & Kathy Barros,
Tito, Jonas and Gabriel

Four happy faces at Alpha and Omega.