Phil and I are so grateful for all of you who have been praying, supporting and caring for us and those we serve!

Celebrating A Huge Win!

One of the women we have been walking closely with through the Bridge Program (a program to help women bridge the gap between the street and a new life)  has recently experienced a huge personal win.

A year ago, when I suggested the idea of writing the Brazilian equivalent of the GED. Her answer was a resounding ‘No, I’m too old, my memory is terrible, and I’m not very smart.’

I left the conversation and just let it ruminate.

Three months ago, she stated emphatically, ‘I am going to write the test, I want to get my high school certificate.’’ 

The night before the test arrived, and nerves were high.

‘I don’t know why I paid the money to do this, I’m too stupid, I’ll never pass, it will be such a waste of time and money!’

You see, she grew up hearing this. And when you hear something enough, you start to believe it, especially when you are rattled.

I gently reminded her that this is a pattern with her, and that the negative thoughts were merely that, they certainly didn’t reflect who I knew or how God saw her, nor did they reflect her capabilities.

She decided to write the test. She hoped to pass at least six of the twelve subjects.

After the test, she said she felt good about it, but that she just wanted to pass half of them, and she could repeat the other half at the end of January.

Three days later, she got a phone call.

SHE PASSED ALL TWELVE SUBJECTS!

There were tears and shouts of joy.

‘I thought I wasn’t capable of learning even the basics. And God showed me that I’m not stupid, that I can learn, that I can change my life.’

Thank you, Jesus, for these amazing fruits we have seen. 

Thank you to all of you who help to make this possible!

Are you an American and would like to support Hope Ministries? Get in touch and we will tell you how you can!

A Message From Our Co-Labourers

Wellington & Dyanna

Hi Dear friends,

We hope you’re well. We wanted to share a clearer picture of what has unfolded this month as the  Lumine Institute (Instituto Lumine) begins to take shape in Gurinhém.

Lumine is a new front of Hope Ministries, born naturally out of the years we have served together. It focuses on something we have come to see as essential: the long-term prevention of abuse and exploitation through education, stability, and presence.

Although Lumine belongs to the heart and mission of Hope, we do not publicly present it as a Hope project. In a community where many children face real vulnerability, an explicit connection could raise suspicion among those who hold unhealthy control over them. Keeping the communication separate protects the children and ensures they can safely participate in the program.

Earlier this month, four volunteers from Canada came to serve with us through Hope Ministries. They spent two full days in Gurinhém helping us paint the ground floor, clean the building, and prepare the space for our first gathering with the children.

On Saturday, we walked through several streets, inviting kids to come on Wednesday. We expected a small group, but more than sixty children showed up. Their joy filled the room and made the need unmistakable. Our Canadian friends were deeply moved, and they were especially encouraged by the way Dyanna led everything with calm, clarity, and care.

That gathering opened three important doors for us:

It introduced Lumine to the city.

It allowed us to meet many children who fit the profile of the project.

And it marked the beginning of a relationship we hope to cultivate with consistency and tenderness.

We are now moving into the second phase of renovation: finishing the façade and upstairs classrooms, installing air-conditioning, and defining the basic furniture needed for the first groups of children. Each step depends on provision and prayer.

This month has given us clarity and hope. Gurinhém moved forward. Lumine took its first public step. And this new front of Hope Ministries is now becoming real in the lives of these children.

Thank you for walking with us.

Below is a video of our time with the Canadian team in Gurinhem. Follow us on Instagram @instituto.lumine

With love,

Wellington and Dyanna

COMING SOON !

As we look towards the new year, we feel that familiar ‘nudge’ that God is stirring something within us. We don’t know exactly how it will look or what it will entail yet, but we do know it involves a physical space and building on the relationships we have been fostering these last nine years and helping women and families be equipped physically, mentally, spiritually and financially to start a new life!

Stay tuned!