February 2022 - News from the Field

Return on Investment

“If you want to have a lasting influence upon the world, you must invest in people’s lives; and if you want to maximize that investment, then you must invest in those people while they are young.” – George Barna

Isabela, or Bela as she is known by her friends and family, came to Open Arms as a child, growing up in one of the toughest neighborhoods in her city. She quickly found a home with the missionaries and volunteers. More than a home, she found hope. Bela heard and witnessed the good news of Jesus lived out before her eyes and taught week in and week out. “Faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the Word of Christ.” Bela had an encounter with Jesus at an Open Arms neighborhood mission and her life was changed. She was baptized into Christ and continued to grow. She eventually moved from participant to volunteer, teaching bible lessons and ballet to children that were just like her.

Bela’s desire to be an agent of hope to children in her community, led her to go to college, the first person in her family to do so, and study Psychology. Today, some 12 years since she first came to Open Arms, Bela is a child-psychologist on staff, bringing biblical wisdom and counsel to the children and teen volunteers of Open Arms in their Brazilian headquarters of Assis, Brazil.

Your partnership allows us to continue investing in young lives, for the love of God, in the name of Jesus. On behalf of Bela, and all the children and youth like her, thank you!

Sincerely,

Michael J. Meyers
President & Founder