New kids at this Nepali children's home are guarded and shy. But soon, Vania Vieira sees them revive. "My work is all about love", she says. "Sharing the most precious value I've been learning: that God can change people's lives."

When not with the kids, this 28-year old Brazilian is traveling around Latin America, sharing her vision for Nepal and raising up Latino missionaries. She knows that mission is a hard sell here. Vania was only able to go through missionary training herself because of a financial gift from the United States. "When I finished this training," she says, "something changed in my church. The leaders realized that they had to take the responsibility of sponsoring me. That made it possible for me to go to Nepal." For most Latin churches, it is highly unusual to provide for the full financial support of missionaries, Vania says. "That is a problem. Many churches in Latin America are not mission-minded, but prefer to construct nice buildings."

She hopes to change that on her tour through the continent. "I think that OM can play an important role in this, not only to encourage Latinos to go into missions, but also to make churches aware of the necessity to support them with prayer and money."

Vania knows that the need for missionaries throughout the world is huge. "There are yet so many lives to be saved and there is so much relief and development work to do." In Nepal, Vania says she got to meet real poverty for the first time. "I think going into missions made me face reality. It was a good experience, though. You can hear a lot in your own environment, but once you go out to a country like Nepal, it's completely different."

When talking about Nepal, her eyes start to twinkle. "I miss the country", Vania says. "It's nice to be in Latin America for a while, but I can't wait to go back." She has been working in two different children's homes. "These homes are set up by other organizations", Vania explains. "My job is to teach the children mathematics, English, and lessons from the Bible. The most important thing, however, is that I organize nice things for them to do. Fun things, like going to the zoo or simply playing a game." These activities help them to enjoy their childhood again. She explains, "What these kids mostly lack, is love. When they come into the children's home, most of them are sad and afraid of everything new. But after a while, you can tell they are cheerful again."

Many children in the homes, who mostly come from Hindu families, give their lives to Jesus. "When they grow older, a lot of kids go back to their families and tell them about the Bible too."

Vania is thrilled to see God at work in Nepal in many ways. "I can't do anything, but I can share the message of our God that can change people's lives." She knows she is in the right place in Nepal. "I'm excited to go back. And I encourage other Latinos to go into missions as well. Even if that means facing reality."