Reaping Deposits at Lar Tia Edna

In my time talking with others about Orphanos, I often say words like, “Our partners annually impact over 25,000 children worldwide.”

I could also say that our partners are making a long-term deposit into the lives of children desperate for love and in need of gospel truth. We are not just investing in kids now, but we are investing in the generations to follow.

The apostle Paul concluded 1 Timothy by telling his beloved disciple to “guard the deposit entrusted to you” (6:20a).

It can be eye-opening to dwell on the truth that each of us make deposits into lives each day. What sort of deposits are we making?

As I sat in this thought process, I was reminded of an American missionary named Mrs. Edna Blanche Deakins. Before I was even born, the Lord was stirring in her heart and calling her to care for needy children in Brazil. Faithfully responding to the call of God, she opened a house of hope and healing in São Paulo. These many years later, in honor of her sacrifice, this home for children is now called “Aunt Edna’s Home.”

Read these two beautiful paragraphs about the home’s origins taken from their website:

Edna Deakins saw the need in Brazil in relation to needy minors and so she left everything she had in the United States and headed to Brazil with a Swiss friend to start this work. Edna had no money and depended solely on a few brothers who helped her. The greatest sustainer was and has always been God.

Aunt Edna’s goal was to give orphans and abandoned children a home where they could be cared for in a family atmosphere. Aunt Edna was called Mom by all the kids and took care of more than 200 children over 30 years. She never worried about how she was going to manage to care for and feed so many children.

Did you catch it? Aunt Edna was making deposits that have lasted for generations. More than 200 children grew up under her loving care and watched her trust God in all circumstances. Her faith, her trust in God, her obedience to her Lord is still being lived out today.

Here’s where the story gets even better.

Aunt Edna became sick later in life and before passing away in 1986, she prepared one of her own “children” to take over leadership of the home. Her deposits came full circle when Henri, a baby boy raised by Edna until adulthood, and his wife Nilma left their own home to dedicate themselves to caring for children just like he had been cared for in the very same home where he grew up.

Still today, around 12 children are housed here. As some graduate to productive lives, their space is filled by another child who needs a family. They’re each given essential support in moral, spiritual and intellectual growth. I wonder if every now and then these kids are told a story about an elderly American woman named Edna who trusted God and obeyed.

Praise God for the life and the thriving legacy of Ms. Edna Deakins.

Grace & Peace,

Wayne Sneed