Village of Hope Guatemala’s main ministry is taking care of vulnerable children- primarily girls who were trafficked, adolescent mothers and children who were abandoned and abused.
Yet this pandemic is causing even more needs at the turn of ever corner.
I am watching so many ministries here doing all they can with very little resources. In a county that was already suffering before Covid hit- it can become overwhelming.
Ricardo, who is 86 years old, is often seen around the neighborhood of Village of Hope collecting wood. He sometimes wears red converse that are a little too big for his feet, a cute little hat with a brim and a continuous smile on his face. We’d wave and greet him every time we passed by. But the other day-the smile was gone.
Ronald López was able to spend some time talking to him. As tears poured down his face he shared that his wife had just passed away. She had gone to one of the public hospitals to remove a tumor and didn’t make it out of surgery.
As Ricardo shared more of their story we learned they were caretakers of someone’s home and live in a small area on about $50 a month.
That’s less than a $1 a day per person.
Can you take one minute with me and just try to imagine?
We were able to create a job for Ricardo on the spot. He will come by Village of Hope every day to feed our therapy horse and brush her down. He will make sure the dogs and cats are fed. He will still be able to keep his job as the caregiver of the home but also have a little more income to survive. This will also help us to be able to keep an eye on him and make sure he has food and is doing ok. More importantly- we can share Jesus.
Ricardo was so excited and walked away with a spark in his eyes and dance in his step.
Sometimes, or rather all the time- we need a little bit of hope. We need to know our lives have purpose and that we belong somewhere.
Welcome to the Village of Hope family Ricardo. Jesus loves you and we are praying for you as your heart heals.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” – Jeremiah 29:11
