Sustained by Resurrection Hope in Brazil

Elaine and Liliana, two mothers living in Brazil, know what it is like to experience loss. Both also recently found hope, thanks to messages by ReFrame Ministries’ Portuguese-language outreach partners.

Elaine’s experience of loss came from the death of her newborn son, Nicolas. Born with a heart condition, Nicolas spent his whole life in the hospital before passing away after one month.

Elaine had known that she wouldn’t have much time with Nicolas, but that didn’t make the loss any easier. After Nicolas passed away, Elaine and her husband began searching for answers as to why God would let this happen.

Liliana had also lost a child. In her case, it was her firstborn daughter, Natalia, who died as an adult. The experience left Liliana grieving and feeling alone.

“I felt like I was living in the desert after Natalia's death,” Liliana shared, explaining that while most of her support system was back in Brazil, she had been living out of the country when Natalia died.

Thankfully, in the midst of their grief, both Elaine and Liliana found hope in God's Word. Both women are regular followers of Luz Para O Caminho (“Light for the Way”), ReFrame's partner ministry in Brazil.

As they listened to Portuguese-language devotions and podcasts made available by Luz Para O Caminho, Elaine and Liliana were encouraged. They heard that everyone will go through times of trial. Christians are not spared from struggles and suffering. However, they also heard that God is with us in the dark places and that we can have hope in Christ’s resurrection.

“On a difficult day, we can't succumb to the dark picture that presents itself to us,” wrote Rev. Hernandes Dias Lopes, ReFrame's Portuguese-ministry leader, in a devotional message based on Psalm 30. “We must look to the future with hope, because God is in control of all storms. Storms don't surprise him; nor do they resist his sovereign command.”

These messages – made possible through the prayers, gifts, offerings, and ministry shares of the Christian Reformed church – provided Elaine and Liliana with the spiritual support they needed to process their grief.

“Your prayers and God's Word have truly sustained me and my husband,” Elaine wrote in thanks to ReFrame partners. “Please continue to pray for us.”