"This place is the new home that God has given me to be well"

Thank you for praying for the secret children of the persecuted church. It can make a big difference in their lives: the difference between brokenness and healing, between despair and hope. It's certainly made a difference to Sofia.

Sofia appears on our Once Upon a Time film talking about the events of 24 April 2009, the day her mum and dad were shot dead by Colombian guerrillas. When she heard the news that her mum had died, Sofia asked, "Isn't God supposed to listen to our prayers? Why didn't He answer our prayers?"

In the ensuing months, she and her younger sister and baby brother were looked after by their grandparents, but they found it difficult trying to support three children. So, at the age of 11, Sofia moved into the Open Doors Children's Centre. When she arrived, she admits, "I really did not know who God was... I blamed God and did not want to know anything about Him. Then, the tutors here taught me with a lot of patience about how to know Him through the Bible and I have a closer relationship with Him." During those early days, Open Doors began a writing campaign to support Sofia, and in the following year, she received hundreds of letters from people around the world who were praying for her.

Now aged 13, Sofia is doing very well. She's part of a worship band and wants to become a missionary. Her aim is to study business administration and be able to care for her siblings. She also loves gymnastics and dance. "I miss my parents, my sister and brother," she says, "but I also know that this place is the new home that God has given me to be well ... here I have things I did not imagine ... and I have friends." After a long, hard process of mourning, Sofia has been able to forgive the people who murdered her parents. She's grown to understand that God did not allow her parents to die just to hurt her. This change is the result of a long walk with God.

By the grace of God, and with your help, Open Doors is transforming the lives of thousands of secret children like Sofia. Please keep praying. It really does make a difference.