Every Gift Has a Story: JEAME

We have asked for prayers for its ministry to youth in juvenile detention centers and street evangelism opportunities. Through the bazaar catalog , Oakseed donors have had the opportunity to give Bibles for detained teens, clothing and food care packages for those who have been released, literature and Bibles for street evangelism, and funds towards vocational training for released teens. But how much impact can these seemingly small gifts have on such great darkness? The problem can sometimes seem so overwhelming, and the resources are so few.

Growing up in a broken home with an alcoholic mother and drug dealer father, both struggled with anxiety and depression, turning to crime and drugs to numb themselves and try to escape the hopelessness of their lives. These, ultimately, led not to peace or freedom but to addiction and prison instead.

In God’s providence, during one prison stay, their sister visited, bringing with her a woman who said that she had been praying for them for three years and that Jesus was their only hope for rescue. This woman from JEAME invited them to Bible studies, and the joyfulness, love, music, and teaching were a powerful witness to them. When one of the leaders shared how the Lord had changed his life, Fernando’s eyes were opened to his sinful state, and he repented, turning to Christ in faith and hosting Bible studies and prayer sessions for the other inmates. Alexandre, meanwhile, was struggling to give up drugs, though he desperately wanted a new life. One day, kneeling in prayer, he asked God for help. The Lord heard his prayer, freed him from drugs, and brought him to repentance and faith in Christ. JEAME’s volunteers discipled both boys and came alongside them when they were released.

When they returned home, their mother and father came to faith in Christ after seeing the power of the gospel to change their sons’ lives. Fernando eventually graduated from seminary, becoming a pastor and evangelist. Alexandre worked in street missions in São Paulo before moving to Portugal as a missionary.

Coming from a poor family, he became involved with drugs after his brother was murdered. He was eventually sent to the detention center for his violent behavior, and the Lord used JEAME’s volunteers to share the gospel with him, transforming his life. Because of Agnaldo’s good behavior, he was allowed to spend Christmas with his family, away from the center. Remarkably, he returned to finish serving his time after the break with a hunger and desire to continue being discipled by JEAME.