The kindness of a stranger in Brazil

Young Eduardo’s mother was ashamed of him ever since she found out she was pregnant. He was born through prostitution. So, one day she dropped him off with relatives and left for good. Eduardo was passed around from one relative’s home to another, but no one wanted an extra mouth to feed. One day, an 18-year-old named Valdinar visited his brother’s home, which happened to be where baby Eduardo was being kept at the time. “When I first saw Eduardo at my brother’s house, I asked who that beautiful baby was,” Valdinar says. “They said his mother left, but no one wanted him. That’s when I decided that my mother and I had to take care of him.”

Valdinar was referring to Mrs. Raimunda, the woman who—though not his mother or relative— had raised him. Over the years, 69-year-old Mrs. Raimunda continued to take abandoned children into her home and raise them as her own.

Today, Valdinar and Mrs. Raimunda are raising Eduardo together. Despite the circumstances of his early life, Eduardo is thriving and loved dearly by his new family. for her and her sister. This forced Lesly to quit school and look for work.

At 14, Lesly met a young man named Leonardo and fell in love. But when he discovered she was pregnant, Leonardo left her. Lesly was once again left feeling completely alone. It was then that she was visited by Johanna, a tutor from a local church, who invited her to be part of Compassion’s program for young moms. Lesly eagerly accepted. To this day, Johanna visits Lesly’s home each week with words of encouragement, toys for her baby, and a practical lesson. With Johanna, Lesly learns lessons she’s never had the chance to learn before, like cooking, staying healthy, reading, and writing. “For me, Johanna is like my second mother,” says Lesly. “I don’t feel lonely anymore. I know that God sent an angel to me to take care of me and help me to protect my baby.”

This week, think about the spiritual family God has placed around you. Thank Him for the ways He’s brought these people into your life. Take some time to let them know the impact they’ve had on your life through a simple text or a card.