1
00:00:04,729 --> 00:00:07,984
It's never too late to follow 
in God's footsteps.

2
00:00:08,249 --> 00:00:12,668
Laura Napoli Goncalves 
is known affectionately by her fellow

3
00:00:12,668 --> 00:00:15,149
church members as Grandma Laura.

4
00:00:18,011 --> 00:00:21,081
At 75 years old, 
she learned about The Seventh-day

5
00:00:21,081 --> 00:00:25,332
Adventist Church through an invitation
from her granddaughters.

6
00:00:25,945 --> 00:00:29,963
Grandma Laura was a firm believer 
in spiritistic practices,

7
00:00:29,963 --> 00:00:33,420
but as she came to know the truth, 
through the study of God's Word

8
00:00:33,420 --> 00:00:36,491
and participation in church
services and events,

9
00:00:36,491 --> 00:00:40,001
her heart gradually filled 
with the love of Jesus.

10
00:00:43,866 --> 00:00:48,689
Even before descending into the baptismal
waters, Laura participated actively

11
00:00:48,689 --> 00:00:53,567
in evangelism, helping to greet visitors
at prayer meetings and collecting food

12
00:00:53,567 --> 00:00:56,386
for the needy, among many 
other activities.

13
00:00:59,902 --> 00:01:03,226
She especially likes to read 
Ellen White's books.

14
00:01:03,310 --> 00:01:06,396
The most important thing to Laura 
is to go to church

15
00:01:06,396 --> 00:01:08,234
to be with her church family.

16
00:01:08,579 --> 00:01:12,993
She's always present for services, 
regardless of the cold weather,

17
00:01:12,993 --> 00:01:15,059
rain or intense heat.

18
00:01:15,059 --> 00:01:18,029
Laura especially loves the week of prayer.

19
00:01:22,815 --> 00:01:29,556
All this love led her to baptism 
on December 13, 2015, at the age of 80.

20
00:01:35,673 --> 00:01:39,574
Laura joined a group that was organized
to take the Word of God and good news

21
00:01:39,574 --> 00:01:42,395
of salvation in Jesus
to community members.

22
00:01:42,682 --> 00:01:45,274
She is a faithful Christian, missionary,

23
00:01:45,274 --> 00:01:49,229
and giver, and her life
demonstrates a contagious joy for being

24
00:01:49,229 --> 00:01:51,028
part of the Adventist family.

25
00:01:51,640 --> 00:01:55,911
Grandma Laura is a living testimony 
that the best place in the world

26
00:01:55,911 --> 00:02:00,790
is at the feet of the Savior, 
and she looks forward to Jesus' return

27
00:02:00,790 --> 00:02:03,076
when she can be with Him forever.

28
00:02:03,333 --> 00:02:07,749
Grandma Laura is engaged in the mission 
and social projects of the church,

29
00:02:07,749 --> 00:02:10,952
including the building of a new church
to safely accommodate

30
00:02:10,952 --> 00:02:12,949
all the community members.

31
00:02:14,160 --> 00:02:17,432
The building currently rented
by the church is too small

32
00:02:17,432 --> 00:02:20,929
and doesn't have a separate room
for the youth and children.

33
00:02:21,143 --> 00:02:26,344
They meet outside, leaving them subject
to the dangers of traffic, heat,

34
00:02:26,344 --> 00:02:27,845
and bad weather.

35
00:02:28,246 --> 00:02:32,804
This quarter's 13th Sabbath Offering
will help establish churches

36
00:02:32,804 --> 00:02:36,243
in South America, including one
in Grandma Laura's town.

37
00:02:36,470 --> 00:02:40,367
There will be so much joy
when church members can worship together

38
00:02:40,367 --> 00:02:44,391
in this new space, and the youth
and children are sheltered indoors.

39
00:02:44,984 --> 00:02:48,783
Please pray for this group and others
throughout South America.

40
00:02:49,444 --> 00:02:53,964
Thank you for giving 
to the 13th Sabbath Offering.