In the dark world of Brazil, street children, toddlers and teenagers search trash cans for food, steal knives to protect themselves at night, and live in fear of being beaten or even killed by the police. For these desperately needy children, nothing was free--until they encountered the love of Jesus through the compassion of Jeannette and Johan Lukasse.
When this young Dutch couple asked God if He could use them to do something about the immense suffering they saw in the world, He led them on a winding path from their home in the Netherlands to the coast of Greece and eventually to the streets of Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Their calling was millions of orphaned and abandoned children were living and dying on the streets, caught in the deadly grip of drugs, violence, prostitution, and abuse.
What followed the Lukasses' step of faith is a stunning example of how God miraculously uses the surrendered lives of believers to transform the lives of others with His hope and healing. There are 14 books in this International Adventures series
Volunteering with this organization sounds life-changing. I know it would deepen my gratitude. It would reframe my perspective on life. Plus, I would get to see if I could live in Brazil. I know I am not a missionary but reading this book gives me fuel to directly assist with this organization. The time will come.
A Cry from the Streets is the story of Dutch missionaries Johan & Jeannette Lukasse, and their passion to love & rescue the street children of Brazil. Although they had never stepped foot on South American soil, the Lukasse's knew that God was calling them to reach the forgotten children of Brazil. Through training with Youth With a Mission, and practical experience pioneering & launching a ministry in Greece, the Lukasse's set off into the unknown of Belo Horizonte. Their work was not easy or glamorous, but they gave it their all. The children [and adults] didn't know to respond to these white European foreigners talking of God and opening up their home. But through commitment, faith, & prayers, the children began to see the Jesus in Johan & Jeannette. Their work in Belo Horizonte has grown & exploded in so many ways, and more and more street children, from prostitutes to the HIV/AIDS infected to gang members are finding love and acceptance for the first time ever.
I chose this book for Brazil because I'm going there later this year with Youth With a Mission [for whom which I work], and was excited to get a glimpse into the story that has been going on before me. I'm grateful for the work of the Lukasse's and their vision for the street children of Brazil. I only hope I can do them proud during my time in Brazil!
I really loved this YWAM book about a Dutch couple obeying God's call for them and their family. It was really inspiring and eye-opening to see how God took care of them time and time again, through every challenge, He was there to guide, protect, and teach them.
A Cry from the Streets was honestly a really hard book to read. Not because it was written poorly or boring, but because hearing all of those stories of pain and hurt being about children this time will weigh heavy on your heart. But that is not all this book is, the amount of hope and joy this book shares as well is amazing and so sweet and beautiful. Another helpful thing for me when reading this book was having someone who had worked with the authors with me! She was able to share how drastically different the city of Brazil is because of their work. So encouraging and amazing!
Not the most well written book, but an honest overview of their life and ministry with YWAM in Brazil. Read it to my kids, but had to gloss over a couple of stories that were just too rough to read to them (ages 10-14). Sad that the things that were happening to the people in the book were actually happening to kids their ages. Made all of my kids want to move to Brazil to work with street kids and hold babies.
What a step of faith can do. I was amazed how God worked through this couple and sustained them when they had no human understanding of how they'd start the dream God set on their heart to rescue street children in Brazil. A truly amazing story and one that will grow your faith.
I throughly enjoyed reading about all that God can do with a willing and obedient life that follows the heart of a God for children. I want to be that person too.
Their testimony is very impactful! The way they live their lives shows God's heart for children. If you are interested in kids ministry give this book a read.
Once again this great Christians amaze me as they setup a whole street ministry to the lost children of Brazil. I was expired by their faith the the LORD's provision.