Orphanos Foundation

Summer Travels To The Tune Of God's Song!

posted by Grace Fragoso — June 23rd, 2009

 Hello everyone,

I pray this note finds you well. I am doing fine and  home for a few weeks before I go back to Brazil with or next team. The winter in Brazil as we speak is in direct proportion to the heat here in Memphis, so you know how to pray for my health as I come and go. I have just spent 10 days in Brazil and it was a blessing to be home for  a few days.

With a  small,  but motivated team from Prairie Ridge church, in Des Moines, we were able to accomplish so much at Lar. We totally gutted the girls’ dorm and gave it a new roof, new ceiling, painted inside and out and spent  many hours putting everything back together for the girls. It took me back to 1984 when we moved into that building for the very first time. I was one of the  “little girls” amazed that  God had given us a beautiful home  just for the girls! It was a joy beyond what I can tell you, to be involved in making that place pretty once again, for the little sisters I have there now.

In the process, I got to make new friends that are so dear to me now. Tara, Angela, Amy, Ella and Evan, in addition to Cheryl, a long time dear friend of mine, worked  so hard for this to  be a reality. Also the family at Lar joined forces and only then our team was complete and empowered for  work. For God’s glory in His little girls lives is what we did that. There are still some finishing touches that  need to happen, so in our next trip in July, I intend to continue to work on that. The total cost of this make over was 4 thousand dollars. We are a bit short on that, but mostly everything came through  a generous gift  of Prairie Ridge church.

To read more on this  mission, please check our  team blog http://orphanos.org/team/2009/06/08/prairie-ridge-church-mission-to-lar-batista-june-5th-16th

Our next  team leaves Memphis  on July 13 and we will be in Brazil for a week, working at Lar Batista and also visiting Lar Tia Edna, in Sao Paulo.

Our team is also small, but I am convinced that  God  will bless us and we will in turn be a blessing in these two homes. This is more of a vision trip than  a hands on project, so to speak. Wayne Sneed, Jennifer Ragland and I are Orphanos Staff and we are blessed to have Betsy and Doug Enoch with us. Doug went to Lar 7 years ago and helped us  come up with a new development plan for Lar. The goal was to add three buildings on campus. So far we have added two! I am so glad for that. The Lord has been good to us.

While in Sao Paulo, even though we are only going to be there for one day, we will visit our friends at lar Tia Edna. For a few years we have been channeling funds to them and this will be a blessing and an encouragement for them to have  Orphanos come to see them and spend one day with them. Nilma and Henri have been doing so much with such a limited budged. God has been faithful to them as well. Henri was the second child to live at Lar Tia Edna, and has been the father of the home for many years. They have shown an amazing accountability and trustworthiness.  It is my desire to be able to help them  more as they care for orphan and abandoned children in the heart of the city of Sao Paulo.

On a personal level I am so happy for the short but meaningful time I had with the family in Brazil. Pai was happy that he has been reading so clearly and  has just started on a new quest to read the whole  Bible again, now that the he is able to see again. While I was there he also went to the DMV and passed his tests and was given his driver’s licenses back!  That might not seem much, but for a 72 year old  person who was considered blind for the last 6 years it is quite the item for praise!  It strengthens my faith to see  his faith in the Lord and how He comes through  and blesses us more than we can ever imagine.

Also on a personal level several of your have asked me about my personal support. Here it goes. You can have and idea that last year we took about  10 teams  to  countries such as Brazil, Colombia, Jamaica, Mexico, South Korea and India. This year we are down to a few teams and  my largest this summer was only for 6 people! Not only has the economy in our country affected  our teams, it has also affected our support accounts. God has been amazing to provide in many ways. Sometimes someone pays the electric bill, some other’s the grocery, but He has come through, sometimes, in the 11^th hour.

I can say that my support is down about 30% so if you feel like helping me, this is a very appropriate time. It is my prayer that God is blessing you, keeping your job and investments  and also enabling you to  also give.

Some friends have also given to a special fund to help me with car payments, which is a new thing in my life. That could also be a great way to help. I have also come up with a jewelry line and  selling a few pieces have helped with some expenses as well.

Thank you for your care and concern and  for being a part of my life in so many ways. Your financial support helps a lot, but your prayers are also very much appreciated!

In closing, the thought of Zephaniah 3:17  blesses my soul.

“The LORD your God is with you,
       HE is mighty to save.
       HE will take great delight in you,
       HE will quiet you with his love,
       HE will rejoice over you with singing."

Here is how the Lord breaks it down for me:

I am yours and with you, Grace!

I  Am mighty to save you, Grace!

I will delight in you, Grace!

I will quiet you with my love, Grace!

And then… I will sing over you with singing, Grace, a song from my heart to yours.

 I am GOD!

Of course the passage is a promise to Jerusalem, but  I pray this scripture and make it mine, I  find great peace. The Lord is a warrior, He will protect and provide for me… I can only imagine what this song will be like! God is good!

Be blessed!

Love, Grace

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