devotion

January 1

Everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother

or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much

and will inherit eternal life. Matthew 19:29 NIV.

I had always dreamed of being a television producer. My dream had come

true, but I wasn't satisfied. The money and glamorous lifestyle seemed

suddenly meaningless. I had a yearning to please the One I love-the One

who had given me more love, peace, joy, and forgiveness than anyone I'd

every met before-Jesus Christ

He had a plan for my life, a relationship with ME! Finally, I dared to

ask: "Lord, what do You want me to do, where do You want me to go?"

Secretly I was hopinhoping to hear "Stay where you are." But I heard clearly,

"Brazil, Rio!"

I thought, What? Where? I grabbed the map.

That night I heard Loren Cunningham, founder of the international,

interdenominational mission group, Youth With A Mission (YWAM),

challenging people to go into missions. Almost reluctantly, I stood with

others to indicate my willingness to become a missionary.

After the meeting I wondered how could I leave my job, my apartment, my

family, my friends. Yet, six months later I could still think of nothing

else. Every time I opened the newspaper or turned on the radio or TV I

seemed to hear about Rio!

I prayed often for Brazil. I asked God what I could possibly do for that

country. It was as though God had been waiting for me to ask. A picture

formed in my mind of the Pied Piper with many children following on the

streets dancing and singing.

I had no idea there were children living on the streets of Rio de Janeiro. Later
I met someone who confirmed first hand, that there were many children living
on the city's streets, dying of hunger, even being killed. I had to obey because
it was important to God. I'm so glad I did for I have never known such joy.

Sarah de Carvalho from England now works with the street children of Brazil.