A great start to a blessed New Year!
posted by Grace Fragoso — January 30th, 2010
As we start this New Year, I cannot help but think about how blessed we truly are. I have the blessing of starting off with a birthday, which is for me, a huge blessing! Other blessings I also received include being in Brasil for Christmas and New Year's, having most of our family with us there, friends who came from near and far and also the privilege of starting the year on our knees in prayer.
Lar Batista!
During our time at Lar Batista, we gave the children our very best. We came in and brought little gifts, candy and lots of love to go around many times! The children were happy to see us and when we finally got home after a 12 hour delay, we could still see some of the older children sitting by the gate waiting for us, even though it was almost 3 in the morning! We felt really welcome right then, all the travelling hours and effort involved on that trip were paid off. We were so glad to be there.
For the next 12 days, our team spent time and enjoyed life at Lar Batista. We had great fellowship, great food, great time playing games and talking about memories we had from the team's previous visit there.
A highlight for me was to go into the neighborhood and give food baskets to needy people. It was my intention to go into the "poor area" of town and bless the community. Our van left our gate, turned the corner and stopped! There was our first opportunity to serve our neighbor... literally! We saw very happy people, thankful for the fact that they had been remembered. As I looked into their little home I noticed the dirt floor... the poverty like few times I had seen around. It moved me to do something to help that neighbor, who loves the same God we do and is in such precarious situation. Everywhere we went I heard one more story of how hard life was, how good God is and the fact that my father would not forget them! It made me think of the reputation God has and how people see that in us. What a privilege to reinforce the positive view people have of our Lord!
Opportunity:
So many meetings and services that we had and again and again this word kept coming up: Opportunity!
I was blessed by that word while at Lar and I helped reinforce it for the children at Lar. We are given so many opportunities and all we have to do is to grab them and make them into something great! I pray that Lar children as well as children everywhere will not let these opportunities pass them by!
After a great time at Lar and visits from several local friends, we headed up to Sao Paulo. Sine everyone on this team had already been to the falls, we opted to stay at Lar a few more days and it was indeed great.
Sao Paulo:
My time in Sao Paulo was quick and very productive! I got to visit my family, attend my nephew's engagement party, visit many friends and also visit a farm in the Country side of Sao Paulo with ministry potential! All that in 5 days! I was also blessed to go to my home church and reconnect with many friends there!
I left Sao Paulo with a wonderful feeling that no matter how long you have been away... your true friendships will be there for you!
10 Years of Ministry with Orphanos!
I was talking to a friend about when I left Sao Paulo 10 years ago to the day we were talking. We went over the conversation we had 10 years ago... back then he asked me if I was sure I wanted to do this... to leave my life in Brasil and venture out on an adventure as a volunteer with Orphanos. Back then my answer was "ABSOLUTELLY". Ten years later we are addressing the same question again and I can say that it has been worth it! God has been faithful and I have been able to experience so much as I trust Him to take care of me.
Back in Memphis, I have had a great time with friends, a few birthday celebrations and the joy of seeing my friend and mentoree, Monica and her sister Veronica being baptized on January 24th! I was so glad to see the Lord bless these two lives and allow them to grow to love Him more and more! Could there be a better way to start the year?
So... As I celebrate my 10th Ministry Anniversary, I thank God for His goodness to me through your love, care and partnership! I am preparing a Dossier of these 10 years and you should have it soon!
May God bless us all as we go into this New Year with Him!
Love to you,
grace
2 Comments Add your comment
Randy Galbraith — Feb 11
Thanks for the update Grace, great to hear about your time at Lar. Happy belated birthday as well.
Randy G.
Molly Adams — Feb 12
We serve such a faithful God! He is indeed the giver of every good and perfect gift!
I am so thankful that I was able to make that trip to Lar summer before last. And I trust that God will, in HIS timing, open that door for me and John again sometime in the not too distant future.
In the meantime, assure ALL the Lar children that Tia Molly loves them, and missing them terribly!
You are a blessing to Orphanos AND to ME, dear friend!
"Something beautiful, something GOOD!"
Molly
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