Saving Grace!

A Major Miracle…

Grace International School Educational Foundation (GIESF), the legal organization under which GIS operates, purchased 86 rai of land for our planned new campus last week. That’s 2½ times the space we presently have!

If all the necessary funds were available today, we could be at the new site within 2-3 years. More immediately, as the remaining funds come in for The Saving Grace Project of $1.2 million USD, we’ll be able to:

Raise the height of the land and develop infrastructure on the property including electrical, drainage, sewer and water systems and roads.

Hire the Thai architect.

Build temporary classrooms, if necessary.

Begin the next phase of raising $7 million USD for the construction of buildings and other facilities.

It’s very possible that people will begin speculating and buying land near the new campus. An undeveloped muubaan close by has many pieces of vacant property. Property right next to the school’s new location could also be available for purchase. Please be advised that, while we’re excited and confident about the future, Grace International School and GISEF take no responsibility for what might happen with land around the school’s new site and are making no promises regarding the timing of when the school will actually move.

Significant Fundraising Remains…

Please note that we still need to raise more than $1.2 million just to relocate the junior high and high school classes from the current building.  The goal is to generate these funds by the end of this school year (May 2011).  Please pray with us that people in the United States and across the globe will rally to help meet this huge financial need in order to continue Christian education for the hundreds of missionary children who are students at Grace!

Make a Year-End Contribution to Help Save Grace!

You can make a contribution that will help preserve and expand the impact of Grace International School for hundreds of missionary families serving in S.E. Asia!  Simply click the button below to make a secure online gift today!

God delights in giving the desires of our hearts, even if He waits 27 years! Grace International School (GIS) parent Connie Cummins knew from at age 13 she wanted to run an orphanage. And today she’s doing what God created her to do—with a flock of children she loves.

When Connie and Richard Cummins came to Thailand, they didn’t plan an orphanage. But after this former home schooling mom sent her five children to GIS, she had time on her hands. So she volunteered at one of many Chiang Mai orphanages, where she quickly noticed one extremely ill baby, alone on a mat.

Even at three-months, little Tip weighed only four pounds—after miraculously surviving an abortion. Though the infant was expected to die soon, Connie asked the orphanage director for permission to care for Tip at home, where her heart was undeniably bonded, nursing her back to health. Nine years later, Tip is a vibrant, healthy girl, who experiences the permanent joy of adoption into the Cummins family.

“When you came to help us, I knew there was something in your eyes, but I didn’t know what it was,” the director said. And amazed by Connie’s selfless love and skill, he asked Connie to nurture more babies.

Baby “M” was abandoned in a bag on the street, before being found and placed in Connie’s care. Today, M’s sweet, round face and constant smile make her a joy.

Baby “D,” age 5, was extremely sick, and without medical intervention, doctors said she would quickly die. Yet watching her today, you’d never know this curious, strong-willed girl was a neglected baby.

Connie, her family and staff have loved and cared for more than 26 children in the past few years. And more important, each child is eventually adopted into a loving home. And while each adoption is welcomed with joy, it is also painful to let these precious children leave. But Connie is convinced the sacrifice and tears are worth it.

“We must be open to what God has planned for us. If we only have eyes for what we are ‘supposed’ to be doing, we may miss the blessings of God’s amazing, unexpected plans,” Connie said.

Because Grace International School educates their children, families can minister in SE Asia.  That’s why The Saving Grace Project is a critical factor, not only for the families and schoolchildren of GIS, but also for those who are blessed through the amazing ministry that occurs across Thailand and this entire region.  Please help by contributing to The Saving Grace Project!