I blogged a few months ago about little Maria who used to work for the elderly woman who owns this house. She has worked here for 15 years and even now comes about every other week to weed and keep up on the house. She lives in an outlying village called San Marcos which is about a 5 or 10 minute drive from here. Since we are located at the end of the dirt road which leads to San Marcos, (little) Maria parks her bike here at the house in order that the Mennonite ladies she works for can pick her up. We have really enjoyed getting to know her. We have driven her home many times.. not wanting her to ride her bike in the pouring down rain. The children were shocked at first to see how (little) Maria lives.. chickens running through their outdoor kitchen and living area.. no electricity and 6 people living in a shelter about the size of a shed. Now it is all familiar as we have been visiting many times now. Recently we had the opportunity to go and sing for (little) Maria's sick father at the house. Jim and Jake were able to come with us also. We were able to sing for him as well as pray for the Lord to heal him and deliver him from his pain. I was very grateful that the children did so well even though it was growing dark when we got there.. the small room where he lives was almost pitch dark except for one candle.. we all sang our hearts out to the Lord for this feeble man. Everyone was crying actually.. it was one of those special moments which has made this whole difficult path worth the while..
While we were there we discovered that (little) Maria's sister.. named Maria (!) has been suffering from severe headaches to the point of blacking out. She had a perscription which they could not afford to fill. Thanks to the donations from the States, we were able to return the next day with medication and a small amount of groceries. The sick Maria was so apprciative. She told us that the Lord was encouraging her so much just from us coming to visit her and helping them. She cried and thanked us so many times.. just for caring. I do not say that to glorify us in any way.. it is just amazing how much it means to others when we all just take the time to reach out a bit.. we can all do that, right? You see, our Maria works for $25 per day to provide for her family, her elderly mother and father and her sister and her children. It just has not been enough to provide the necessities for all three families. A story we are hearing all too often. Please pray for wisdom again as to maybe how we can help them figure out a small cottage industry which would provide for their family. And please pray that they would be encouraged to press on in their difficult situation. None of us can imagine the heartache of watching our children go to bed hungry. Lord give us all a heart for the poor.
James 2:5. Did not God choose the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?
Maria's Home
Kelly, Maria and Maria
(little) Maria's daughter
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