For more than 20 years, a friendly octopus has shared Jesus with Latin American children over the airwaves. Now he talks about Christ in schools and communities, too.
In fact, more than 200 schools throughout Venezuela are receiving TWR’s Pedrito el Pulpo (Peter the Octopus) stories on CD, to be presented weekly in classrooms so children can learn values like integrity, respect, discipline and good behavior.
“Each day we receive more and more requests, asking us to bring Pedrito el Pulpo into schools,” says RTM-Venezuela Director Annabel Torrealba, adding that now youth die more from violent acts and crimes than illness. “Teaching the Word of God and biblical values has lasting impact. Because of this, teachers write and ask for us to come to their schools, because they have seen the results of this program in other institutions where Pedrito el Pulpo has been presented.”
After a presentation in one school, up to 25 percent of the children responded to the invitation to accept Christ. “Thank you for giving me the opportunity to know about Him; I would like to receive Christian literature,” said one young boy named William. School personnel are also grateful for the program, as this principal indicated: “Excellent—very good to show good habits, moral values and love. You ought to come back.”
Thousands of children are also coming to know about Jesus’ love through Pedrito el Pulpo rallies in communities across Venezuela and throughout Central and South America. After attending one, 12-year-old Elizabeth wrote: “Many blessings from God to all of you and may God take care of you each day. Through your stories, I have learned many lessons. Please pray for me, for strength, and guide me to follow His steps. I accepted Christ as my only Savior.”
“Many kids write and tell us about the way God has changed their lives, and their letters and messages encourage us to keep on,” says Torrealba, adding that parents write in, too. One young woman recently wrote: “I'm pleased that I can read and share all your stories with my kids. Since my childhood, I have listened to Pedrito on the radio. Your stories filled the emptiness after my mother passed away. I love you, and I have my hope in God's hands.”
Overall, more than 5,000 have come to the Lord as a result of attending Pedrito el Pulpo rallies. Afterward, Christian teachers and leaders from local churches follow up with those who made decisions. More than 5,000 kits of school supplies have been given to children from low-income households, as a way of encouraging them to continue on in their studies.
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