April's Today Author Shares Encouragement From Brazil

Two mothers in Brazil named Elaine and Liliana know what it is like to experience loss. However, both also recently found hope, thanks to messages by April’s Today author, Rev. Hernandes Dias Lopes.

Elaine’s experience of loss came from the death of her newborn son, Nicolas. Born with a heart condition, Nicolas spent his whole life in the hospital before passing away after one month.

Elaine had known that she wouldn’t have much time with Nicolas, but that didn’t make the loss any easier. After Nicolas passed away, Elaine and her husband began searching for answers as to why God would let this happen.

Liliana had also lost a child. In her case, it was her firstborn daughter, Natalia, who died as an adult. The experience left Liliana grieving and feeling alone.

“I felt like I was living in the desert after Natalia's death,” Liliana shared.

Elaine and Liliana Read Daily Devotionals From Today’s Sister Ministry in Brazil

Thankfully, in the midst of their grief, both Elaine and Liliana found hope in God's Word. Both women are regular followers of Cada Dia, ReFrame’s Portuguese-language devotional, often written by Rev. Lopes, ReFrame’s Portuguese-language ministry leader.

As Elaine and Liliana listened to these Portuguese-language devotions, they felt encouraged. The devotions reminded them that Christians are not spared from struggles and suffering. However, they also found hope in the truth that God is with us in dark places and that we can have hope in Christ’s resurrection.

In a devotional message on Psalm 30, Rev. Lopes wrote, “On a difficult day, we can't succumb to the dark picture that presents itself to us. We must look to the future with hope because God is in control of all storms. Storms don't surprise him; nor do they resist his sovereign command.”

The messages within these Portuguese language devotions—made possible through Today readers like you—provided Elaine and Liliana with the spiritual support they needed to process their grief.

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Around the world, in ten languages, devotionals from ReFrame Ministries meet people where they are with the comfort and salvation of God's Resurrection power. If you'd like to join in this mission, you can give a gift to help continue sharing God’s story with readers like Elaine and Liliana by filling out the form below.

“Your prayers and God's Word have truly sustained me and my husband,” Elaine wrote in thanks to ReFrame partners. “Please continue to pray for us.”