For many years, Selma Raab has shared a deep passion for the MAGI Project. She was first introduced to the program through her church’s involvement in Richmond, VA while serving as a MAGI Coordinator. Shortly thereafter, Selma became a huge advocate for the MAGI Project and rallied other churches surrounding the Richmond area to get onboard. In recent years, she has traveled on MAGI delivery trips to Texas and Honduras.
Two years ago, Selma approached the team at Healing Hands International about the possibility of partnering with churches in her home country of Brazil. HHI decided that we would proceed with MAGI Brazil via the new Sponsor A Box initiative. It was around this same time that Selma’s home church in Glen Allen, Virginia planned to take a mission trip to Recife, Brazil to visit the ministries and missionaries they support.
After careful planning and collaboration between the Glen Allen Church of Christ, Healing Hands International and Lar Mana (a ministry outside of Recife that provides foster care for at risk children), Selma’s vision became a reality as over 300 MAGI boxes were distributed to children and their families earlier this month!
When asked what it meant to take MAGI to her home country, Selma shared, “At first, I could not believe it was really happening as it had been a dream for so long. We were in one of the poorest areas in Brazil gifting MAGI boxes. They expressed so much gratitude with happiness and love. Being able to understand their expressions in my native language of Portuguese was one the most special and beautiful moments in my life!”