When Linda Bates joined her husband, Dr. George Bates, on his second mission trip to Brazil in 2002, little did she know the legacy she would leave.

Like her husband, she was captivated by the people and their needs. She was among those who returned in June to participate in the installation of a small water purification system at a preschool adjacent to the church that has been associated with missions by members of the Presbyterian Church U.S.A.

The preschool bears her name: The Linda Bates Preschool. As director of the day school for small children at First Presbyterian Church in Natchez, Linda Bates could not think of a greater thrill when asked about her reaction to the name.

&uot;I’ve never experienced anything like it,&uot; she said, flushed with emotion and softly saying, &uot;Wow.&uot;

After the 2002 trip, the couple learned that a house next door to the church was for sale. Church members hoped to start a preschool and thought the house would be the perfect place.

&uot;We found out it would take $5,000 to get the house and renovate it,&uot; Linda Bates said. She and her husband made sure the Brazilian church had the money for the project. The preschool now has 43 students.

It was at this school that mission volunteers in June watched as children lined up to taste their first purified water. &uot;That first little boy. His face was glowing. He was just beaming,&uot; Linda Bates said. &uot;It was very humbling.&uot;