Frequently Asked Questions



Can I adopt a child from the orphanage?
Lar Batista works really hard to offer the kids a family environment that is indeed their family. Children are admitted in an early age and, as in all Brazilian families, children just leave home when they go to College, are able to fend for themselves, or, most likely, get married. Home Parents say that when each child arrives, they have found their home, so they do not encourage or facilitate adoption of children that have already been helped by them, although they encourage adoption of other children who are waiting for adoptive parents through able organizations. Lar Batista does not facilitate adoptions.
What about education?
All of our school age children are attending public schools. Along with the education they receive in town we also count on the support of a full time teacher, one of Pastor Fragoso’s daughters, who tutors the children and help them with their homework. In addition to that God has sent us an Elementary Education teacher from the United States to teach English and assist with homework and Bible teaching. Through Partners some young adults have been given Sponsors/Padrinhos who sponsor their college Education. At the moment we have two girls in College, a young lady in Beautician school, and a young man in Agronomy school. Their extended education program demands high grades as well as future involvement in the home’s education program. E.g. The young man in agronomy school will return and run the Orphanage farm for three (3) years, girls will invest in sending younger brothers and sisters to college, after they get a job. The beautician will have a Beauty Saloon on Campus, so she can take care of everybody’s hair and make profit working in the local community.
Where does your support come from?
The support of Lar Batista comes through volunteer donations, churches, Foundations and individuals who decide to partner with our ministry. God has given Lar Batista a farm, from which about 70% of the food we consume come. We do not receive any help from the government, and even through we abide by the rules they establish, as a privately own entity we are not accountable to them. We are accountable to God, first and foremost, and then to our board.
Where do the children come from?
Most of our children come to us through church referral. As we don’t work with the government, we do not receive direct referrals from them, unless it is an extreme situation. Most children we have come from other states with a wide variety of backgrounds, from abusive situation, to street children, to real orphans. Basically we believe the Lord sends us the children we are to receive, and we do our best not to turn any of them down. We do have a waiting list of about 20 children at a time. The level of hardship of their situation helps determine who comes first.
How can I visit the orphanage?
Lar Batista is really concerned with the safety of its children and has certain guidelines for visitation. It would be really difficult for Lar Batista to select team members from Brasil, therefore, based on the long lasting and successful partnership with Orphanos Foundation; Lar has chosen the Foundation as its representative in the United States. Lar Batista has determined that all team coming from the USA must come through the Orphanos Foundation. There are several opportunities each year to visit Lar Batista, such as the traditional Vacation Bible school trips, work groups and every other year there is a Christmas trip, when team members get to actually spend Christmas at the home with the children! See trip calendar.
What are some toys not to bring?
Playtime can be used as learning time as well, so all toys should be mind challenging for children. Also, toys containing small parts are not recommended as such parts may end up being swallowed by infants. Think about toys that will continue to amuse the children after you are gone, therefore, have the following list in mind as you think about buying a gift. In doubt, call us or don’t buy it. Avoid secular heroes, such as Pokemon, power rangers and anything that would generate violence.

Unacceptable Toys:
  • Used items
  • Toy guns
  • War-related items
  • Perishable food items
  • Medicine
  • Breakable items (china dolls, hourglasses, mirros, etc.)
  • Soldiers
  • Knives
What are some recommeneded toys?
Toy Age appropriateness
Plush Toys Any age
Dolls & Doll clothes 2-9 girls
Beanie babies any age
Toy cars 2 and up boys
Books 4 and up boys and girls
VeggieTales video tapes, Christian tapes family entertainment
Christian CDs 12 and older
T-shirts all ages
Caps all ages
Make-up 15 and older girls
Picture frames w/photo of your family all ages
Watches 8 and older
Bracelets girls and boys, 5 and older
Perfume, shower gel, bath sponge all ages
Curling irons 15 and older girls
Purses girls 2 and older
Journals 10 and older boys and girls
Daily Devotional (easy readers) English speaking kids, all ages
Bible all ages
Stationary 10 and older boys and girls
Puzzles 4 and older
Coloring books 3 and older
Building Blocks 2-6
Markers & Crayons 2 and older
Dictionaries 10 and older
Calculators 8 and older
Chewable Candy all ages
Sunglasses all ages
Flashlight 5 and older
Socks all ages
Toy jewelry 3 and older girls
Hair Clips all ages girls
Fun toothbrushes all ages
Sidewalk chalk 3 and older
Rubber Ball 2-8 boys
Stickers 6 and older boys and girls
School Supplies 5 and older girls and boys
Play dough 5 and older girls and boys
Cool plastic mug all ages
Photo Albums 7 and older
Yo-Yo all ages
Jump rope 4 and older
Glow in the dark toys all ages
Backpack 5 and older
Water Bottle all ages
Teddy bear all ages
How can I pray for Lar Batista?
Here is a suggested weekly prayer calendar but you will also be reminded of current prayer request via e-mail or by checking the web site for updates and current prayer reports.
  • Monday: Pray for the school week, that kids would do well and make a difference in their school setting. Pray for good behavior and for godliness for them all. Pray that kids would retain what they learn. Pray for Rute as she tutors them and assists them with their homework. Pray for Theresa, as she teaches them English. Pray that the Lord would provide the school supplies they need.
  • Tuesday: Pray for diligence in Bible reading and memorization at the home, as well as daily devotionals. Pray for our church, that it would be used by God to draw others to Himself.
  • Wednesday: Pray for the financial maintenance of the home. That God would send faithful and consistent donors. That God would bless those who already give and prosper them all the more. That Lar Batista store would sell well and generate more income. Pray for the many projects would be funded.
  • Thursday: Pray for our farm to be productive, so that Lar Batista can be more self-sufficient at least for the food we need.
  • Friday: Pray for the salvation of the children who have not made a decision yet. Pray that newcomers would come to receive Jesus in the first three months of their stay at Lar Batista.
  • Saturday: Pray for safety for our family. Pray that kids would learn to say no to things like alcohol, drugs, cigarettes etc. Pray for health issues. Praise the Lord for our Doctors, Flavio and Frances, and our Orthodontists, Mrs. Socorro and Mrs. Gladys, who have donated their expertise to take care of our family.
  • Sunday: Pray for Pastor Joaquim (Pai) and Socorro (Mãe) as they run the home. Pray for their health, for wisdom and godliness in correcting children and setting good examples. Pray for them as they work with children’s emotional traumas. Also pray for the Fragoso family as they minister together for the Lord on behalf of His children. They have no hired help, pray for stamina and the joy of the Lord.
Can I have a pen pal?
Even though this is a different sponsorship program, where we are adopting a whole orphanage home instead of only one child, we have made a way for you to be a blessing in the life of a child. We would like to encourage you to pick a child and make a difference in their life. Every child dreams with the day when someone will come and choose to be its friend and you can do that! Here are some helpful hints on how to do that:
  • Prayerfully consider being a child’s friend;
  • Pick a child/teenager and let us know that you will do that so we can keep on looking for a friend to the other kids;
  • Write and let the child/teenager know that you care for them;
  • Remember special dates, like, birthdays, children’s day, Christmas, coming to Christ, back to school day. Such information can be obtained by calling or e-mailing Orphanos Foundation.
What subjects can I talk about?
You can feel free to talk about yourself; your family, your activities, your job and anything that you feel led to. We kindly ask that you be sensitive to the child’s setting and reality. Please have in mind:
  1. Cultural sensitiveness: be aware of situation in other countries and try to keep your relationship on a personal level, do not bring up socio-economic or political issues. Never bring money matters up; do not ask about their situation or share about yours. That could be harmful for this relationship. Never ask about the child’s past, before they came to the orphanage home. Should they bring it up, consider that as a compliment, you have got their trust, but do not bring it up, and please be careful in handling information. Remember: it’s someone’s life we are talking about!
  2. Invitations and suggestions: NEVER invite a child to come to the United States. There is a lot more to coming to this country than an invitation. Passport, paperwork, not to mention the VISA are really hard to get and we highly discourage you from making promises that are hard to keep. Having the money for their tickets here is just a small part when it comes to all the paperwork the INS requires. Do not suggest that they come to College here in the USA either, unless you are able and willing to pay for their tuition and expenses here. In that case, please call us before you bring that up to your Lar Batista friend.
  3. Language barriers: This is going to be one of the biggest challenges both for you and for your new friend. If you intend to have a note or e-mail translated, please allow us some time to work on that, as we just have one person who can translate that to us. DO NOT use translator programs, as translations sometimes end up with a very distorted meaning. Be very careful with misunderstandings. In doubt, don’t say it!
  4. Being a blessing and encouragement to your pen pal: You can ask your new friend how you can pray for them and also share your prayer requests with him/her. Again, by remembering their birthdays and dates that are special to them you will be a great blessing to them. You can also pray about visiting them someday, but do not tell them unless you really intend to do so; we don’t want to hurt their feelings.
  5. Can I make a money donation to my specific friend? We do not want to encourage this friendship to become a money-related thing, so we would recommend that your money gift would be done through the Foundation. It is better if the Home management would check what is your friend’s need and use your gift to meet that need. It is fine if you choose to send him/her a gift, but DO NOT SEND CASH in letters. As we have several teams going to Lar Batista every year, your gift could be brought with the teams. See Suggested gift giving list
  6. How do I get a tax deduction for my donation? Orphanos Foundation is a 501 C-3 and as such can provide you tax exempt receipts for your donation. Checks must be made out to Orphanos Foundation and you should mention that it for Lar Batista and we will honor your wish in that. Orphanos could also help you get and automatic wire transfer for your convenience. Let us know how we can help you.
  7. How can I get involved? Please see our Getting Involved page.