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It's never too late to follow
in God's footsteps.

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Laura Napoli Gonçalves
is known affectionately

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by her fellow church members
as Grandma Laura.

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At 75 years old,

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she learned about
the Seventh-day Adventist Church

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through an invitation
from her granddaughters.

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Grandma Laura was a firm believer
in spiritistic practices,

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but as she came to know the truth,

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through the study of God's Word

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and participation
in church services and events,

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her heart gradually filled
with the love of Jesus.

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Even before descending
into the baptismal waters,

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Laura participated actively in evangelism,

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helping to greet visitors
at prayer meetings

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and collecting food for the needy,

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among many other activities.

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She especially likes to read
Ellen White's books.

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The most important thing to Laura
is to go to church

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to be with her church family.

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She's always present for services,

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regardless of the cold weather,
rain, or intense heat.

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Laura especially loves the week of prayer.

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All this love led her to baptism
on December 13, 2015,

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at the age of 80.

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Laura joined a group that was organized

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to take the Word of God

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and good news of salvation in Jesus
to community members.

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She is a faithful Christian,
missionary, and giver,

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and her life demonstrates a contagious joy

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for being part of the Adventist family.

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Grandma Laura is a living testimony

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that the best place in the world

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is at the feet of the Savior,

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and she looks forward to Jesus' return

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when she can be with Him forever.

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Grandma Laura is engaged

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in the mission
and social projects of the church,

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including the building of a new church

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to safely accommodate
all the community members.

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The building currently rented
by the church is too small

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and doesn't have a separate room
for the youth and children.

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They meet outside,

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leaving them subject to the dangers

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of traffic, heat, and bad weather.

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This quarter's 13th Sabbath Offering

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will help establish churches
in South America,

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including one in Grandma Laura's town.

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There will be so much joy

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when church members
can worship together in this new space,

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and the youth and children
are sheltered indoors.

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Please pray for this group and others
throughout South America.

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Thank you for giving
to the 13th Sabbath Offering.