Our MORE Project Stars

The story of Michel, a condensed version of the chapter “Michel” taken from the book We Can Do So Much More, by Sergio Ponce

“If Michel Could Change, Anyone Could”

Michel had grown up in Vila Ipiranga where drugs—using and dealing them—afforded the greatest opportunity for earning a living and surviving. Like so many of his peers, Michel’s dream was to one day become a manager, one of the most coveted and powerful positions in the neighborhoods’ drug business. When I met him, Michel had just accomplished his lifelong dream. As a manager, he was acting commander of the drug-dealing gangs that would invade and attack the rival gangs in neighboring slums. Armed with assault weapons, Michel’s gang spread fear and terror in the lives of their enemies, and he was highly regarded for his bravery and leadership.

But on the day I met him, Michel had other things on his mind. He came to me to ask for help. He said that he was tired of the mad lifestyle of the drug business and the growing burden it placed on his heart. He had been extremely violent and aggressive, and the consequences of his actions weighed heavily on him. He was searching for light, for guidance, and for a way out.
As I looked at Michel that day, all I could see was hopelessness. Despite this, I could see in him a simple desire to believe that somehow his life could be changed. I presented God’s grace and mercy to him that day. I invited him to attend our church meetings, and he did.

Changing his life was a very difficult process for Michel. After all, Michel’s reputation as a dangerous and violent man worked like a shield of armor that protected him wherever he went. He knew that his choice to leave would put him in danger of being a target of retaliation. But Michel heard a louder “Voice” from inside his heart, inviting him to abandon his old armor and put on a new kind of armor—the armor of honesty, humility, and self-reliance.

Indeed, members of Michel’s gang worked very long and hard to lure him back to the world of drugs. But Michel listened to the louder Voice instead—and followed it.

Today, Michel is a completely restored man. He left drug trafficking, addiction and a lifetime of violence behind. Michel now works for the MORE Project. In the meantime, he has married a wonderful woman, Ana, who also works for the MORE Project. They now have a young son, Abraão, who studies at the Believer’s Project; and a daughter, Sarah, who also studies at the Believer’s Project. Michel is an excellent husband and father, and a great example of honor and dignity. When Village MonaVie is completed, Michel will work as a foster parent, and Ana—who was also an orphan raised in the streets—will be a foster parent too.

I just love that! Michel and Ana make me believe that anything is possible. If we could help them completely change their reality, we can help many other people just like them— and end up changing the story of a whole generation. Michel and Ana inspire me to keep believing we can always do MORE…much MORE.

The Story of Marcio, as told by Sergio Ponce, MORE Project Brazil Director

“I met Márcio when he was serving a lengthy prison sentence at a detention center I was visiting. Our bond grew stronger each time we visited. After his release, Marcio came to see me. He had dreams of someday having a wife and family and becoming a decent man, but he had nothing at all. I offered him a job at the Mom’s House. Soon after taking the job, Marcio’s life started to stabilize.

“That was only a few short years ago. Marcio still works at the MORE Project today. He is married and has a beautiful daughter. When I watch him interact so lovingly with his wife and daughter, it is hard to imagine that he is the same man I met behind the cell bars on that day. Away from a dirty prison with no opportunities for improvement, Marcio now has everything he had hoped for: a family, a bright future, and his restored dignity. Seeing Marcio’s transformation makes me believe that everyone’s life can change. And being part of this process can deeply touch a person’s soul.

Denis, by his Class 3 Teacher, Alcileika Chagas of the MORE Project Believer’s Project.

This past year during a class activity, one of my students, Denis, kept interrupting the lesson with jokes and with rude comments about the other students. I asked Denis to stop several times but he wouldn’t. The disruptions continued until they escalated to the point of Denis hitting another student. I had to remove him from the class. When I talked with him in the hall he said, “This class is very boring! I only come here because I have to. I hate it here.”

It was a rough day. That evening I kept asking myself, “What am I to do with this little boy?”

The next morning, our coordinator took Denis to the advisor’s office to meet with Pastor Roberto. After a long morning, a quiet little boy was returned to my class. He calmly asked me for a pencil.
“How was your time at the advisor’s office?” I asked.

“It was good,” he said. “I cried a lot.”

“Denis,” I said, “I think God is showing you an answer. I believe He was there with you during the talk with Pastor Roberto. I love you and so many others here love you too.” He stared past me and said, “Please stop saying things like that because it makes me feel like crying again.”

I asked if I could give him a kiss and a hug. I held him quietly as the tears began to flow down his cheeks. As I was holding this little boy in my arms he whispered, “I love you too. Will you please forgive me?”

Davi, as told by his Class 2 Teacher at the MORE Project, Eliana

Davi Miranda Felix is an energetic, headstrong little seven-year-old boy in my second grade class. He has more energy than the rest of the class combined; which would be fine if his energy were not continually spent on disrupting our class activities and clowning around with his best friend, João Davi.

One day, after he didn’t do the activities he was assigned to do, Davi lost his break time privilege and had to sit alone. Afterwards he told me: “I’m going to ask my father to murder you.” I tried not to act too surprised as I told him, “It’s OK, Davi. In the meantime, I will still keep teaching you what I think is right or wrong for you to do.”

It’s been some time since I’ve received any death threats from Davi. Recently, during an exhausting day, I asked the class to calm down a little and begin to tidy things up. This was one of those days when the kids were not about to pay attention and behave. That is, until Davi, sensing my frustration, said, “If you leave the room, I will take care of everything.” I decided to take a chance and honor his request. I waited outside, not far from the room. Every couple minutes, I would see a little head appearing near the window to check where I was. Finally, Davi showed up at the door and excitedly motioned for me to come in.

The room was clean and ordered. The whole class was sitting up straight in their chairs. Davi was the only one standing. We have had our moments together, but Davi and this group of students has been a real gift from God’s hands.