Dear Friends:

Greetings! Two days ago everybody in my e-mail address book received a blank e-mail by mistake – a computer repair technician was testing the equipment.

I write to apologize, but will use the opportunity to give you a brief update on Hope in Brazil. It's possible that some in my address book have not heard from me in some time!

Hope Unlimited continues to be blessed and grows every day, not only in breadth but (most importantly) in depth. We currently operate three residential centers: a campus for boys and another for girls in Campinas (near Sao Paulo), and a campus for boys in Vitoria (500km north of Rio).Plans are underway for a girls' facility in Vitoria.

Last year our vocational training workshops were opened to impoverished children from the community, and today Hope provides vocational training to slightly over 600 boys and girls.Half of these do not actually live with us, but come during the day. The day students have family members with whom they can stay, but no other opportunities to learn a trade and escape generational cycles of poverty.

Hope's primary focus, however, remains our residential program for adolescents who are in situation of mortal risk, with no family members to care for them. These youngsters come and live with us until they can be transitioned back into society at age 18, having been trained for a profession and (hopefully) spiritually prepared and equipped to succeed in a society fraught with snares and pitfalls.Our success in placing graduates in jobs has been overwhelming, and a growing number of graduates are attending university full time while holding down jobs.

Last year we initiated a significant outreach to young adults who passed through the Hope Program, including not only graduates (whom we always maintained contact with) but youngsters who stayed with us for a short period of time but ran away or were placed back with relatives.In many cases it was Hope Unlimited who exerted the most significant positive influence on their young lives.These young adults remain very grateful for what Hope did for them, and are eager to remain in contact. We initiated a Saturday evening Christian outreach in downtown Campinas, which is well attended, and in many cases Hope has had a second chance to really make a difference in the lives of these former students.

Hope has been blessed with a fantastic board and staff team, and the Smith family has been very blessed as well: two years ago, Corenne and I adopted our 2-year old son, Marc Adrian, who adds even more joy to our already joyful existence.Both of our mothers live in retirement communities in Los Angeles.

I trust that you all are well, and invite you to come and see us in Brazil sometime!

Best Wishes and Many Blessings to All,

Philip Smith