Dear Friends:

Saturday was a special day for us here at Hope in Brazil.It marked the first wedding conducted in the City of Youth chapel involving two recent graduates!

Both Priscilla and Ulysses are finishing an extended period living at their respective graduate halfway houses.Although we normally don't encourage dating between graduates, an exception was made in this case due to several factors: the length of time that the couple had been serious about their intentions with one another, the openness of their relationship since the beginning, the depth of their respective walks with the Lord, and their perseverance in attending several months of pre-marital counseling sessions with Pastor Derli and the other pastoral staff.Not to be downplayed is another important factor: it just felt right.

The event was wonderful for staff and kids alike, all of whom really got together to pull this off and make it a memorable day.Corenne said it was as beautiful as any wedding she had been to – but at a tiny fraction of the cost!Everything was done with staff contributions. A visiting dance and choreography group from Los Angeles arrived on Saturday, and graced the ceremony with an opening presentation.

In one of the attached pictures, Priscilla walks down the isle with a house parent from the Girl's ranch, Alex -- her "Dad."The bridesmaids and groomsmen (called "Godparents" in Brazil) were staff members, teachers, employers, and fellow graduates.

Looking at the couple, it is hard to imagine that these are the same two kids that first walked through our gates several years ago. Priscilla came seven years ago. She had been living in the streets, under the dubious watch of a mentally ill mother. She was sent to us under judicial order called a "protective measure."She now earns a good salary in commercial food catering. (Her brother Celso, now 24, graduated 6 years ago. He is married, has a son, and earns more than any other graduate—and more than most Hope staff members—as a skilled chef).

Ulysses came to Hope nearly 5 years ago; he had been orphaned and was living on the streets. He was also considered to be at very high risk and sent to us under a rare protective measure.Ulysses currently works as an automotive painter, and is doing very well.

A few weeks ago, at our downtown graduate service, I was on usher duty taking up the offering. I could not help noticing that Priscilla and Ulysses, in turn, each dropped a tightly crumpled R$50 bill into the offering sock. That spoke volumes to me – here is a young couple soon to be married, facing so many uncertainties as they prepared to step out on their own, making that kind of sacrifice . . . what a reward for our efforts on their behalf!

I am sorry you couldn't be here for the wedding, but enjoy the pictures.

Blessings,

Philip