Sophia’s Family Experiences the Transforming Love of Jesus in Brazil
Meet Andrew, Alba, and their daughter, Sophia…
Born with cerebral palsy, Sophia lives with limited mobility and developmental delays. Trapped in a cycle of financial struggle, multiplied by the hardships of disability, for the first years of their daughter’s life, Andrew and Alba felt helpless. They simply couldn’t afford the interventions—or the wheelchair—Sophia so desperately needed. And by the time Sophia turned five, the outgrown, ragged stroller they had relied on for years was no longer safe, let alone comfortable, for her.
Andrew, Alba, and Sophia needed tangible help. More still, they needed to hear the Gospel and discover the transforming love of Jesus.
Neither Andrew nor Alba had a relationship with Christ until they encountered the Gospel through Joni and Friends.
“What we felt most here was how God manifested himself was the care—through the people looking at us with love. And today Sophia has also improved her quality of life, thanks to the wheelchair,” says Alba.
Cleberson Sennes, a local pastor who worked out with our Wheels for the World™ team in Curitiba, Brazil, will never forget the day that transformed Andrew, Alba, and Sophia’s lives. The moment Sophia’s family arrived at the church hosting the outreach, God began to unfold his perfect plan.
As our loving physical therapists and mechanics assessed Sophia’s needs and adjusted a pediatric wheelchair to fit her well, our team members shared the Gospel with Andrew and Alba. Pastor Sennes witnessed the impact of this day firsthand. As he says:
“They came here searching, seeking to meet a need, but they found something even more glorious. They had an encounter with Jesus, which has transformed their lives as a family, and also made an impact in their community.”
Going home with Sophia in her custom-fitted wheelchair, mulling over the story of Jesus, Andrew and Alba felt refreshed. What a gift that their beloved girl could now sit up comfortably, be taken out safely on walks, and experience new dignity! But this was only the beginning of what God wanted to give them through his grace, and the presence of Joni and Friends in Brazil.
“We came for a wheelchair, but God had much more in store for us, prepared for us…”
Andrew
Finding Belonging, Opportunity, and Holistic Care at Joni’s House
Launched in 2024, Joni’s House Brazil provides holistic, Christ-centered care for local people with disabilities, meeting their most pressing needs. For Sophia’s family, that meant coming to Joni’s House regularly for her to receive physical therapy.
Beyond the interventions that helped Sophia develop, learn, and thrive, Joni’s House provided for her parents’ spiritual needs, continually pointing them to Christ. And, to empower Alba to earn additional income for her family selling hand-made soaps, the Joni’s House team provided the training and financial assistance needed to launch her own business.
Months later, secured by the hands-on love of Jesus, Andrew and Alba took a step of faith to attend a Joni and Friends International Family Retreat. And there, surrounded by loving Christ-followers, both of Sophia’s parents gave their lives to Christ, professing that Jesus is their Lord and Savior!
Finding Joy and Giving Back
Welcomed into the Lord’s house and family, Sophia’s family has new hope and purpose flowing through their lives. They attend church as active participants in study groups and have chosen to get baptized!
Recognizing the difference her extra income from the soap-selling business makes for her family, Alba has been inspired to share her skills with other special needs moms. Today she serves as one of our instructors at Joni’s House Brazil teaching others how to make and sell soap.
And Andrew, who has witnessed the power of God at work in his family, has decided to pursue a theological degree with hopes of becoming a pastor—to share the Gospel message with other families in need. As he studies, Andrew remains deeply connected with Joni and Friends, currently serving as the volunteer leader of our prayer team in Brazil.
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Your gift to Joni and Friends will bring holistic, Christ-centered care to people with disabilities, like Sophia and her family!
