Graf Bill

For questions or comments - e-mail - karen_bgfm@comcast.net

Sandi and Bill were married in 1965 but spent the first years of their married life out of fellowship with their Savior. Their first son was born during that time. After Bill's discharge from the Navy in 1971, they moved from California to Nebraska, and it was there in a small rural Sunday School that they were drawn back to the Lord and challenged to foreign mission service. In 1973, they moved to Wyoming, and both attended Frontier School of the Bible. Sandi completed two years, and then their second son was born. Bill graduated after three years and was later ordained by the Hawk Springs Community Church. Experience was gained by filling the pulpit for a small congregation, working with Rodeo Bible Camps and helping with Vacation Bible Schools and other camps.

Bill and Sandi were accepted by the Brazil Gospel Fellowship Mission as candidates in 1977, and after an extended time of deputation, arrived on the field in February, 1981. Over the next twenty years, they were involved in a variety of ministries in different parts of the state of Ceara.

Sandi had suffered from some serious medical problems since before their response to God's call to the mission field but had served faithfully in spite of them. In early 2001, they had to make an emergency trip to the USA due to medical complications, and later that year, it was determined that it would be impossible for the couple to make the flight once more to Brazil. That was an extremely difficult and painful decision.

After prayer and consideration, Bill and Sandi accepted the designation of Representatives of the Brazil Gospel Fellowship Mission. Later they accepted the invitation of the Rio Grande Bible Institute www.riogrande.edu in Edinburg, Texas to serve on loan as Associate Staff members. They serve nine months of the year as Missions Teams Coordinators. Bill also serves as Maintenance Supervisor and Sandi does a variety of tasks. They now have a house on campus and enjoy providing hospitality to many. Bill is preaching each Sunday during the winter months at a mobile home/RV park.

We are excited about the recent acquisition by the school of another radio station that beams into north-central Mexico and touches the large city of Monterey. God is doing truly wondrous things in reaching the hearts of Latin Americans and then of turning their hearts to world missions. During the missions conference this year students went out in the afternoons gaining practical experience in an area heavily populated by drug pushers and prostitutes and by going to a Muslim Mosque to interact with people there not two miles from the school. Plans are to go soon to a Hindu Temple being constructed not far away also.

Bill and Sandi Graf

4300 S US Hwy 281

Edinburg, TX 78539

956 929 1125

Rio Grande Bible Institute

Brazil Gospel Fellowship Mission