Bio coming soon.
October 2022
I would like to thank all those who have prayed for, written or called me over the last several months to give me comfort. Since Diane's death in May my life is now settling down and I am adjusting to my new normal. I have decided through all this to be more proactive in the future and always reach out to those around me who are going through what I have been. The right word or gesture at just the right time makes a big difference. I would like to mention two resources that have been particularly helpful to me. First is "Walking with God Through Pain and Suffering" by Tim Keller. A fellow missionary brought me a copy which I read during my time being with Diane in the Hospital. A 7 part video series you can find on Youtube entitled "Suffering Is Not For Nothing" by Elisabeth Elliot was also a great help to me. The 30 min. long studies are clear and deep done by someone who understands the subject. If you are going through great suffering and loss or know someone who is, I want to be a help and blessing to you as others have been to me. In His Service, Nathan and Priscila Fray São Paulo, Brasil
May 2022
January 2023
On December 29 I became engaged to Rebecca Greenlee. We knew of each other going back to one of the times I spoke at Ambassador when she was a student there. Currently she is a christian school teacher in Clymer, PA. Her interest in missions and deep love for the Lord caught my attention. I reached out to her in September and we began talking. She came to Brazil for a visit over her Christmas break so we could meet in person and she could get a glimpse of what life for a missionary is like in Brazil. I proposed to her during her trip. God's leading is clear if not miraculous. As you might imagine, finding someone who is willing to leave their life and family in the US to join me as a missionary in Brazil on short notice, is difficult. Her passion for missions is evident. She is rare. Pray for her as she applies to Baptist Mid-Missions. She will need to go through all the steps any other missionary does. Priscila and I will return to the States to begin our next regularly scheduled furlough this summer. We are planning our wedding for early August. I will share the details once they are decided. We invite all those who would like to attend. I thank all those who have prayed for my future. Short Biography of Rebecca I was born in Charleston, WV and grew up in a small neighboring town. My parents knew the Lord and sought to raise my four siblings and me "in the admonition of the Lord." Some of my earliest memories are of serving in my local church-singing with my sisters, helping my dad on his bus rout, and visiting shut-ins. My life was shaped by my parent's emphasis on ministry, and I committed my life to serve God when I was sixteen years old. The Lord led me to attend Ambassador Baptist College, and I graduated with a Missions degree in 2002. A few years later, I graduated from Bob Jones University with a M.S. in Biblical Counseling. Growing up, my mom encouraged me to read biographies. I read of the lives of Jim Elliot, Hudson Taylor, Amy Carmichael, and others, and they became my heroes. They molded my thinking and aspirations- I wanted to be like them and to serve like them. In the years after college, I was involved in various areas of ministry, while having the opportunity to go on a number of short-term missions trips. Now, I have the amazing privilege to serve in missions with Nathan-it is truly an answer to prayer and a fulfillment of everything I ever wanted to do in life. God is so good and so kind to me! I am excited about the future, and I look forward to meeting all of you soon. In His Service, Nathan Fray São Paulo, Brazil nathanfray@mail.com or (757) 273-1553
September/October 2023
From the time Priscila and I stepped off the plane in June, our summer has been busy. From spending time with family, preparing for our furlough meetings, and planning for our wedding, our days were very full. Additionally, we traveled to Cleveland in July in order for Rebecca to complete candidate training for Baptist Mid-Missions and to attend the family conference. Our first few furlough meetings went very well. On August 27th, we visited two supporting churches: Faith Baptist Church in Williamsburg, VA and Sharon Baptist Church in Hampton, VA. Then on September 3rd, we visited Centerville Baptist Church in South Boston, VA. At each church, I had the opportunity to preach and share our burden for São Paulo. Rebecca was also able to give her testimony, and she and Priscila ministered to the children. It was a joy to minister in each of these churches. Of course, the highlight of our summer was our wedding on August 5th. The ceremony was held at Rebecca's home church, Independent Missionary Baptist Church in Alum Creek, WV. We were overwhelmed by the love and support shown to us by our friends and family. It was truly a beautiful day in which we celebrated God's goodness to us. Praise the Lord for His providential leading in our lives!
May 18, 2022 The days since Diane's funeral have been filled with the many details that must be resolved. Priscila and I are slowly understanding our new normal and adjusting to life without Diane. Priscila is doing well. Wagner was here with us until yesterday and Gary and Caroline will be here a few more days. What a help they have been. Priscila and I will be traveling to the US for the summer. We will be staying in Hampton at Bethel's mission home. We invite all to be a part of a memorial service for Diane that will be held at Bethel Baptist Church, Hampton, VA. 1647 Briarfield Rd., Hampton, VA 23669. The service will be on Saturday, June 18th. Visitation will be at 4pm and the service will be at 5pm. The service will be streaming on the church website at https://www.bbmva.org/media. We will also stream on the Bethel Baptist Church, Hampton Facebook page, search for @BethelBaptistHampton. Any questions the church office can be reached at (757)826-7710. In His Service, Nathan and Priscila Fray São Paulo, Brasil
Here in Brazil we celebrate Father's Day the second week in August. It was so encouraging to see 15 fathers represented in our church this year. We dedicated the day to honoring each one with special presentations by the kids and teens. The preaching was devoted to challenge each one to be the best spiritual leaders and examples they could be to their children. I thank God for my father and the deep impact he has had on my life.
Last Sunday we had missionary Raul Brasão and family present their work along the upper reaches of the Amazon river. He was born again as a boy through missionary efforts and is now a missionary to his own people the Baniwa. It was convicting to me to hear him describe 3 month long trips each year to several isolated villages along the Amazon and tributaries. It takes 3 days just to get up river to start his circuit. I was encouraged to see the fruit of past missionary efforts. The gospel torch now being picked up and carried on by local native Brazilians. Their challenge for those who would help with the great need of reaching isolated tribes even today, spoke to our people.
Our church held a Carnaval Camp in late February. This 4 day holiday is the biggest festivity in Brazil. Traditionally churches plan camps and retreats to encourage christians to leave the city and all the carnality that goes on during this time. This was our first church wide camp since Covid. It was so refreshing to be able to spend time together outside of just church. Besides great preaching and worship we enjoyed good food, games and fellowship.
January is our main summer month here in Brazil and the best time to hold our main 5 day Disabled Camp. We have not been able to have any camps for the disabled in almost 3 years so it was a great joy to be able to restart this important ministry. We had almost 50 participants this year between the disabled that came and caregivers. There were 2 salvation decisions along with other important decisions made by campers. I had several long conversations with various campers about why God allows disabilities. This camp is always one of my favorite weeks of the year.
We baptized 7 in November. Over the last months we have seen first time visitors almost every Sunday. I am grateful that church life and ministry is getting back to normal.
The last Saturday in October there was an outreach day for the disabled at Camp Betel. This outreach has been put on hold for almost 3 years. I am very relieved to announce that we have been able to fully resume this important ministry. I am looking forward to our annual weeklong camp in January.
Each year in October Brazil celebrates "Dia da Criança" or Children's day. Believe it or not it is almost as big as Christmas. It is a day for Brazilians to celebrate children. Our church always uses the holiday for outreach. We had an afternoon for children filled with activities, puppets, Bible story, food and a gospel invitation at the end. Priscila helped with the songs and puppets this year. She did a great job. We had around 60 visitors with over a dozen salvation decisions.
September/October 2023 From the time Priscila and I stepped off the plane in June, our summer has been busy. From spending time with family, preparing for our furlough meetings, and planning for our wedding, our days were very full. Additionally, we traveled to Cleveland in July in order for Rebecca to complete candidate training for Baptist Mid-Missions and to attend the family conference. Of course, the highlight of our summer was our wedding on August 5th. The ceremony was held at Rebecca's home church, Independent Missionary Baptist Church in Alum Creek, WV. We were overwhelmed by the love and support shown to us by our friends and family. It was truly a beautiful day in which we celebrated God's goodness to us. Praise the Lord for His providential leading in our lives!
As we visit our supporting churches, I often say that we cannot do what we do without their gifts and prayers. It is true--we serve the Lord in Brazil because of our supporters' faithful giving. The Apostle Paul wrote his letter to the church at Philippi, lovingly thanking them for their support. I echo his words: "I thank my God upon every remembrance of you (Philippians 1:3)." Prayer Requests Pray for safety as we visit our supporting churches. Pray for Priscila as she adjusts to school and life in America during our furlough. Pray for us as we work on the documentation for Rebecca's permanent visa. Pray for Rebecca as she begins to learn Portuguese. In His Service, Nathan, Rebecca & Priscila Fray
Watch video
