Orphanos Foundation

A Happy ending to a Story

posted by Rute Fragoso — May 5th, 2010

Three years ago we received a young man here at Lar Batista. His name is Jonas Machado. I remember writing about his life when he first got to Lar.  If you look at how his story started, you might think there would be no hope or future for this child. But God is in the redemption business.  Aren’t we glad for that!

Everything involving Jonas was difficult and his choices were not always good. Sometimes he would take things that didn’t belong to him. Many times we needed to  apologize on his behalf and  his attitude embarrassed us in many ways, but  having said that, this is why he came to us, because he needed help!

The beginning of his life here was difficult also as far as school is concerned. I had to go in and solve his problems many times and we always prayed that God would change his life. He knew that his older biological brother had been killed by the police and we did not want that to be the end for Jonas.

God’s people participated in Jonas’ transformation through prayer.  Day by day we could see the transformation happening in the life of this young man and we started to see what God had planned for him. Lar Batista needed to be a part f his trajectory. God had a plan for our Jonas! Things started to change, his behavior which he had acquired on the streets was changing and gradually bad thoughts and actions gave room to hymns and good things that would help him become a man of God.

One day we were called back to his school. To our surprise, the teachers were amazed with the changes in Jonas’ life. The school was hosting a seminar and they opened the floor for some students to share about their experiences and Jonas took the floor and shared about his life before and after Lar Batista and how God had changed everything for better, since. On that day his teachers and guests cried when they remembered how this child was and who he was becoming!

This month May 2010, the local court ruled that Jonas be returned to his biological mother.  He will live with her and continue to attend school there and also church and a job. He is welcome at Lar, as he will always be a part of our family!  This mother received a son that is very different from the troubled teenager she was not able to raise on her own. She received a young man whose life has been transformed by God. A young man who loved the Lord and is willing to live a life for Jesus!

The transformation in Jonas’ life happened from the inside out and now he has a renewed heart, but we must keep him in or prayers so that he will continue to life his life in a way pleasing to God.  May he be a testimony and encouragement to other young men everywhere.

When Jonas was brought to Lar, we were told we were his very last opportunity before he became a juvenile delinquent and God turned that opportunity into blessing. Sometimes one more chance is all we need!

Once again, the ministry of Lar Batista was worth it because Jonas is worth it. God will bring other Jonases into our paths and we know that with His help we will see transformed lives.

Thank you for your prayers on our behalf. God is WONDERFUL!

 May God be with you as well as our love.

Love in Jesus,

Rute

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