"Whoever receives one of these children in my name receives me." (Mark 9:37)

My name is Ronaldo, and I'm 10 years old. I live in Vila São José, Brazil, which is 15 miles from the center of São Paulo, Brazil's largest city.

Every morning I go to the Reconciliation Community Program, "Reconciliação." Reconciliação is like going to school, but we spend all day there. I love it there so much! My family and my neighbors barely have enough money for food and rent, and we can't afford to attend the public schools. Before attending the center, I spent each day roaming the streets of my neighborhood, with nothing much to do. Now that I go to the center, I can make a better life for myself and live my dreams.

I get three meals every day at the reconciliation center. Every day we do fun projects. One day we learned all about hippos so that we could make little models of them. I like to go to the library and read books, and to paint, and to play with the other kids.

There are kids here from 7 years old through 16. In another part of town is a program for smaller kids.

I also like chapel, and learning about Jesus at the center. I know that Jesus loves me and that all things are possible through him. I like the teachers because they care about me. And there are lots of grown-ups from the neighborhood who help out here.

My friends and I learn capoeira, which is a traditional Brazilian sport. We also do music and theater. The older kids take classes in woodworking, sewing and other things so that they can get good jobs. Some kids study to go to college-prep schools. When I'm older, I can do these things, too.

I want to thank everyone who prays for us and gives money help make this center.

Illustrations by Fred Willingham