Brazil's President Thankful for Gift
Brazil’s president Dilma Vana Rousseff was thankful for receiving the unexpected gift of a Back to God Ministries International (BTGMI) publication during a young-scientist awards ceremony late last year.
The gift came from Marina Araújo, a 15-year-old from Rio de Janeiro whose science project won third place in the high-school category.
After accepting her award, Marina in turn gave Rousseff a copy of Cada Dia Natal, a special, Christmas editon of BTGMI’s booklet of daily devotions. Called Cada Dia, the booklet is published by Luz Para Caminho, BTGMI’s Portuguese outreach.
Luz Para Caminho (LPC) means “Light for the Way” in English.
As part of her gift, Marina also handed Rousseff – Brazil’s first female president – a Bible from her church, the Boas Novas Presbyterian Church, with a dedication signed by the members of the congregation.
Moved by the gesture, Rousseff told Marina, “You are the model of Brazil’s youth. Thank you so much for this special gift.”
Marina is the youngest student to receive the science award in the last 25 years. She and her family also provided copies of Cada Dia Natal for the president’s staff. Marina’s parents – Presbyterian pastor Rev. Marcus Vinícius and Rose, an environmental engineer – attended the awards ceremony in Brasília, the country’s capital city.
Marina was honored later by the mayor of Rio, Eduardo Paes, for her achievement. She also presented the mayor and his staff with copies of Cada Dia Natal.
Rev. Hernandes Lopes, BTGMI’s Portuguese ministry leader, says the daily devotional booklet is proving so popular that, at the request of churches, LPC is producing a special Cada Dia for Easter to be released in April.
Last year LPC also produced a special edition of Cada Dia that addressed family issues. After distributing 110,000 copies, a second edition is being produced for later this Spring.
The Cada Dia devotional provides a daily meditation on God’s Word in the booklets, on web, and an audio version.
Rev. Lopes asks, “Pray that we can surpass last year’s distribution and reach many more families.”
