30 Stories of Children

1. Cesar (January 7) At home, Cesar is known as “Satan” or “little devil.” Most nights he sleeps on the streets because the small cement block house with a dirt floor is closed to him—his mother prefers his brother. Most people had given up on Cesar, labeling him a troublemaker, but not Living Stones. They worked with him until he learned what it meant to take responsibility. With Jesus’ help, Cesar is learning what it means to be loved.
2. Flavio (January 20) Flavio grew up without a father, stealing mangos from neighbor’s trees and general mishap. But in his teens he met Christ and started going to a church that asked him to teach guitar to street children. That program was called Living Stones. Today, Flavio is the pastor at Cajueiro Claro, working with three different Living Stones programs and transforming the lives of other boys and girls that grew up like he did.
3. Viviane (January 21) Viviane walks over a mile in the hot Brazilian sun to go to Living Stones in her rural town. It is one of her favorite parts of her week. She is a vivacious girl with big plans to be a veterinarian someday. One of her favorite things to do is to read the Bible at Living Stones. She is the first one in her family to be able to read. As she writes a card for her mother, she explains that she will have to read it to her, but she doesn’t mind.
4. Lucicleide (February 25) Luci was in first grade for five years because she wouldn’t talk in class. When she started coming to Living Stones, she wouldn’t look anyone in the eye, and when it was time to eat, she would slink away from the table to cower in a corner, hiding her food. Her dad is an alcoholic, and she lives with extended family in a small, crumbling house you have to crouch to get into. Luci learned to write her name at Living Stones. She is learning to talk and laugh and not be afraid to look you in the eye.
5. Leandra (March 12) Leandra, the oldest of eight, had a little brother on her hip and was leading a couple other siblings around. God is not only working in her life, putting a bright smile on her face, but also in the lives of her whole family. Through the ministry of Living Stones, her mother is learning how to take care of her children and run a home, and her father was able to get a steady job. They went from a one room home with a dirty mattress in the corner to proudly inviting people in to sit on their couch.
6. Josefa (March 21) Josefa didn’t know how old she was. Her mother didn’t know either, because she couldn’t read her birth certificate. At the Living Stones program, they learned when Josefa’s birthday was, and have begun to celebrate this special girl, one of eight daughters. They lived in a dirt house with a pet pigeon, near the dump where their father worked, but have been able to move to a basic brick home with a cement floor since. Josefa now knows how to sing “Happy Birthday.”
7. Camila (March 24) Camila loves to learn. She lives across the way from the church where Living Stones is, and is always first in line for everything. Camila was adopted by her aunt, since her mother did not have the resources to take care of her. She is a good reader, and always the first to use the Living Stones “Library,” where you can borrow one book and then return it for another, since she does not have many books at home.
8. Rafael Jose (March) “Tia,” Said Jose, with tears in his eyes, “How can you go places like this with me? Aren’t you ashamed to be seen with me?” He had been told so many times that he was something less than everyone else that he had begun to believe it. Because of Living Stones, Jose is now standing tall as a child of Jesus. He attends school, and even has a part time job to help his family. He is an example for the other children in the community.
9. Arthur (April 18) Arthur lives with his grandmother because when his mother went to live her boyfriend, he didn’t want her children. The first month Arthur came to Living Stones he refused to smile, and had a lot of difficulty in school as well. But once he realized how much those at Living Stones cared about him, he changed. He gives hugs to all the workers when he comes and leaves, he is doing better in school, and when we celebrated his birthday (for the first time), he was the first one to say “thank you” when everything was done.
10. Paulo S (April 20) Paulo, known as “Chimbinha,” proudly brings his new Bible to church. While he enjoys coming to Living Stones, church is his favorite time of the week. He sings the loudest, smiles the biggest, and hugs the hardest. He has recently become a Christian, and is figuring out exactly what that means. He looked on shamefully while another child told a worker, “I heard him cussing—does that mean he isn’t a Christian anymore?” Together, the children at Living Stones are learning about forgiveness and love.
11. Cloves (April 24) Cloves is a happy, intelligent child who lives with his mother, but it hasn’t always been like this. His father was a murderer and used to beat his wife, going in and out of jail. Through people involved with Living Stones, his mother was able to get a job in another city, with Cloves, and stay away from the situation until she was strong enough to stand on her own. Soon after, Clove’s father was killed and they were able to return home and begin a new life through the Love of Jesus.
12. Isac (May 1) Isac lives in a three bedroom house that holds four families. He is a soccer manic, playing every day. All of the younger boys look up to him for his skill and his gentle leadership. All of his older brothers have grown up and gone to Recife, the big city, and have gotten lost in the world of drugs. Isac is determined to be the first to be different. He has started training to join a profession soccer team as soon as he is old enough, and is using the money to support his family.
13. Eliza (May 11) Eliza moved to Northeast Brazil from down south, and has brought all of her big ideas of a big world with her. The other children find her interesting, this outgoing girl from the big city of places they’ve never seen. She is our official “reader” when we do Bible studies, and the first one to raise her hand for any question (often before the question is asked). She has big plans to be a lawyer when she grows up.
14. Eduarda (May 24) Eduarda has been coming to Living Stones most of her life. Her mother, young and alone, started bringing her to the program so that she would have something to do, since there were no jobs in the small rural community, and she couldn’t leave her baby at home. Living Stones introduced her to Jesus and it has given her hope. Now Anginha (Eduarda’s mother) is a strong leader in the church and found a job for her and her daughter to survive—cooking and cleaning at Living Stones.
15. Mariana (June 8) Mariana lives in a dirt house across the way from the church. Anytime she sees anyone from Living Stones, she runs over to give hugs and play. She is always friendly and lighthearted, and when she grows up, she wants to sell clothes in a big store. They have no steady income for the family of 6, so she and her mother get old cloth and shred it by hand to make fabric rags used to wash cars. They do whatever they can to make ends meet.
16. Daniella (June 22) Daniella refused to talk to anyone at Glory Sports/Living Stones. She wanted to come and play basketball, but would not open up or do anything else. After a couple months, she went up to one of the workers and asked their name. Since then, she went to a Word of Life day camp and gave her life to Jesus. She has been coming to church and bringing her family, a testimony to how God can change a life.
17. Feliciano (June 24)Maybe his name isn’t Feliciano, but that is how he wants to be called, this wild boy that lives and works at the trash dump with his family. Other children laugh when we call him Feliciano, but he has opened his heart, talking and sharing, whereas before he would come to Living Stones just to hit and kick the other children. The name he chose for himself means “Happiness,” which is just what God wants to bring to his life.
18. Paulo M (July 11)Paulo’s brother, at 22, died of throat cancer. Living in the middle of nowhere, he had chosen to not seek medical attention, and it ended quickly. Paulo came to Living Stones, seeking answers. He found them in the love of Jesus, turning to Him with his whole heart. You can find Paulo running down the street, calling out to the Living Stone’s workers as they arrive, and giving them a big hug. Paulo is learning how to be a light to his family, bringing his mother to church. 
19. Poliana (July 30) Poliana is six in a family of eight children. Her favorite food is cake. She loves to come to Living Stones, quietly grabbing our box of toys and playing in a corner for hours, something she can’t do at home.
20. Gustavo (August 10) Gustavo was not expected to live. He had a brain infection with pus coming out, and after being in the hospital for over a month, his family had all but given up hope. We prayed for him at Living Stones, and one of the workers, Grandma Isabel, went to go visit him. Gustavo is a shy boy that finds it hard to look people in the face, but he shines when he tells what happens next: “And then I got better!” Gustavo is back, playing soccer with the boys at Living Stones now.
21. Manuela (August 27) Manuela lived with her grandmother after her mother abandoned her and her stepmom didn’t want her. But her grandmother died in 2012, so she is now with her aunt. Their small mud/stick house is basic, but clean. Manuela has been through a lot, but she doesn’t let that hold her down. She loves to draw, and wants to be an artist someday.
22. Ivanilson (September 13) Ivanilson’s father beats his mother. This is very common, especially in rural Brazil. His sad, thin face often reveals when things are going badly at home. At Living Stones, Ivanilson is learning about a love that doesn’t hit. He is always the first to volunteer to read the Bible verse, even though his reading skills are very low. His face shines when he prays, asking God to bless the Living Stones program, workers, children, and his mother and father.
23. Diane (September 18) Diane stays with her grandmother who lives in a house half the size of a normal living room with 12 other people. She is in charge of her two younger brothers, and when they do see their mother, it is because she takes them out to the streets to beg and then give her the money. Living Stones is a place where Diane can be a kid again, and play dodge ball like the child she is. She loves hearing the Bible stories, and offers to pray before lunchtime.
24. Alexandra (September 20) Alexandra was not as lucky as her sister Vera, who was adopted by their aunt. Vera was a part of Living Stones, and so Alexandra would show up to visit her, wearing a dirty old baseball cap. She refused to take it off because her head was so infected with lice that she had open sores all over her scalp. Living in an abandoned house, Alexandra fends for herself, giving out sexual favors for bubble gum. Living Stones gives her a place to shower and learn proper hygiene. She is slowly learning that there are people who love her, and a Savior who came to die for her.
25. Princess (September 25) When Princess first came to Living Stones, she was so dirty you couldn’t tell if she was a girl or a boy. She shook her curls, refusing to say her name. When the other children were asked, they just shook their head. Finally, one said “Fagina. Her name is Fagina.” Without a pause, one of the Living Stones workers said “Princess. We will call her Princess.” And so we have and so she has grown.
26. Marcone (October 12) Marcone doesn’t talk, he grunts and yells. He doesn’t touch, he hits. He doesn’t listen: he is deaf. Marcone has never been to school, he doesn’t know sign language, and he can’t write his own name. Marcone doesn’t like to be touched, but if you are patient enough he may come sit a little closer.  Marcone has found a safe place at Living Stones where he cannot hear about the love of Jesus, but he can feel it.
27. Caio (October 20) Caio loves animals. He is the youngest and most stubborn in his family. His mother walks over a mile every day to pick up soup at Living Stones to make sure their family has enough to eat. She has given her life to Jesus, but her husband is suspicious and often follows her to make sure she is not lying to him when she says she is going to church. Caio enjoys Living Stones and says that when he grows up, he would like to become a turtle.
28. Gustavo (October 22) Gustavo’s house is falling apart. Built out of mud and sticks and covered with a blue tarp, during the rainy season the walls have begun to deteriorate. Gustavo’s father was killed selling drugs, and his mother works cleaning houses to provide for his family. Gustavo was kicked out of school and labeled a liar and thief. Through the daily love received at Living Stones, Gustavo is learning that he does not have to act out to receive attention. He has accepted Christ as his Savior, and wants to be a pastor when he grows up.
29. Marcinho (September 23) Marcos, nicknamed Marcinho, lives with his mother and younger brother. His older brother is living with their grandmother because his single mother cannot provide for all three children. They live in a small mud house, and his mother makes ends meet by washing other people’s clothes by hand by the river. Marcinho loves to be the center of attention and his favorite part at Living Stones is getting to pray for the food. He brought his mother to church, and she gave her life to Jesus. Marcinho wants to drive a motorcycle taxi when he grows up.
30. Daniele (November 6) Daniele lives with both of her parents in a loving home. They do not have a lot, but they are happy and love Jesus. Her father works harvesting sugar cane, a hard job working six days a week, 12 hour days, to earn minimum wage (about $320 monthly). Their small mud/stick house is basic, but clean. Daniele loves coming to Living Stones, and is always a sweet girl to the others. It is so good to see a happy home.