0:00:04.729,0:00:07.984 It's never too late to follow[br]in God's footsteps. 0:00:08.249,0:00:11.818 Laura Napoli Gonçalves[br]is known affectionately 0:00:11.818,0:00:15.049 by her fellow church members[br]as Grandma Laura. 0:00:18.011,0:00:19.734 At 75 years old, 0:00:19.734,0:00:22.152 she learned about[br]the Seventh-day Adventist Church 0:00:22.152,0:00:25.332 through an invitation[br]from her granddaughters. 0:00:25.945,0:00:29.963 Grandma Laura was a firm believer[br]in spiritistic practices, 0:00:29.963,0:00:31.778 but as she came to know the truth, 0:00:31.778,0:00:33.420 through the study of God's Word 0:00:33.420,0:00:36.491 and participation[br]in church services and events, 0:00:36.491,0:00:40.001 her heart gradually filled[br]with the love of Jesus. 0:00:43.715,0:00:46.749 Even before descending[br]into the baptismal waters, 0:00:46.749,0:00:49.829 Laura participated actively in evangelism, 0:00:49.829,0:00:52.577 helping to greet visitors[br]at prayer meetings 0:00:52.577,0:00:54.481 and collecting food for the needy, 0:00:54.481,0:00:56.386 among many other activities. 0:00:59.902,0:01:02.819 She especially likes to read[br]Ellen White's books. 0:01:03.310,0:01:06.396 The most important thing to Laura[br]is to go to church 0:01:06.396,0:01:08.234 to be with her church family. 0:01:08.579,0:01:11.028 She's always present for services, 0:01:11.028,0:01:15.059 regardless of the cold weather,[br]rain, or intense heat. 0:01:15.059,0:01:18.029 Laura especially loves the week of prayer. 0:01:22.815,0:01:27.811 All this love led her to baptism[br]on December 13, 2015, 0:01:27.811,0:01:29.841 at the age of 80. 0:01:35.673,0:01:37.657 Laura joined a group that was organized 0:01:37.657,0:01:38.874 to take the Word of God 0:01:38.874,0:01:42.395 and good news of salvation in Jesus[br]to community members. 0:01:42.682,0:01:45.974 She is a faithful Christian,[br]missionary, and giver, 0:01:45.974,0:01:48.809 and her life demonstrates a contagious joy 0:01:48.809,0:01:51.028 for being part of the Adventist family. 0:01:51.640,0:01:54.019 Grandma Laura is a living testimony 0:01:54.019,0:01:55.911 that the best place in the world 0:01:55.911,0:01:58.002 is at the feet of the Savior, 0:01:58.002,0:02:00.790 and she looks forward to Jesus' return 0:02:00.790,0:02:03.076 when she can be with Him forever. 0:02:03.333,0:02:04.930 Grandma Laura is engaged 0:02:04.930,0:02:07.749 in the mission[br]and social projects of the church, 0:02:07.749,0:02:09.795 including the building of a new church 0:02:09.795,0:02:12.759 to safely accommodate[br]all the community members. 0:02:14.160,0:02:17.512 The building currently rented[br]by the church is too small 0:02:17.512,0:02:20.929 and doesn't have a separate room[br]for the youth and children. 0:02:21.143,0:02:22.576 They meet outside, 0:02:22.576,0:02:24.598 leaving them subject to the dangers 0:02:24.598,0:02:27.605 of traffic, heat, and bad weather. 0:02:28.474,0:02:31.133 This quarter's 13th Sabbath Offering 0:02:31.133,0:02:33.875 will help establish churches[br]in South America, 0:02:33.875,0:02:36.243 including one in Grandma Laura's town. 0:02:36.470,0:02:38.437 There will be so much joy 0:02:38.437,0:02:41.657 when church members[br]can worship together in this new space, 0:02:41.657,0:02:44.391 and the youth and children[br]are sheltered indoors. 0:02:44.984,0:02:48.783 Please pray for this group and others[br]throughout South America. 0:02:49.444,0:02:53.664 Thank you for giving[br]to the 13th Sabbath Offering.