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A singer, missionary and attorney in the heart of Guatemala
Every bone in my body hurts. It’s cold and damp, so I zip up my sweater, tighten the scarf around my neck and slowly make my way up a narrow, muddy path, sidestepping horse dung. Well…almost sidestepping it. The smell of pungent, sickeningly sweet, burning smoke is thick in my nostrils. It’s the only thing I’ve been able to smell since arriving in Guatemala. We arrive at our destination – a small one-room house made of mud, wood and metal sheeting. It’s dark and cramped inside, and a young girl pulls out a rickety, old wooden chair for me to sit on. She’s dressed in full traditional Guatemala clothing, smiles shyly and sits a few feet away from me. I quickly forget about the aches in my body and already, I’m moved by her sweet disposition and welcoming presence. I talk to her about her life, her dreams and her relationship with God. I share with her about my faith and how I came to be in her home today. She tells me about her prayers and missing her mother, who has left the family to find work in the United States. She introduces her younger sisters and tells me that she reads stories to them every day from the Bible. I ask her how she learned about God and what life was like before Him. This is her story.
“Before I started going through the kids’ Bible training in my village, I disobeyed my mother a lot. I treated her and my siblings bad. I started going to the training and was impacted by the Word of God. I started to read the Bible and started painting too. I learned not to treat my family members that way. I asked for their forgiveness. We are living well together now. My sisters do not attend the training, so I come home and teach the training to them. My sisters and I also pray that our mother will come home and we ask God to give her a job so she can send us some money. I also pray for my siblings’ health.”
Elena Ramirez Santiago is 12 years old and is in fifth grade. She is a sponsored child with Food for the Hungry (FH) and learned about God through FH’s kids’ Bible training program in her community. I am floored by Elena’s maturity level and spiritual depth and am I overwhelmed with love for this child. Mostly, I’m grateful that someone else in the United States, a complete stranger who has never stepped foot on Guatemalan soil, has opened their heart to change Elena’s life and support her and others like her in the community. I am thankful for child sponsorship programs like FH that aim to transform the lives of those who need it most. Before I leave, I ask Elena what she wants to be when she grows up. She says a singer, a missionary and a lawyer. And to my surprise and delight, she starts singing. Her sweet voice fills the room as we all fall silent. I am mesmerized for a few moments and thank God profusely for this experience.
Later, in my air conditioned, electricity-filled hotel room I can still hear the verses of the song Elena sang. I want so badly for her to have the opportunity to sing again or preach to an audience or become an attorney. And I realize I want that for all the children I’ve met so far on my trip. But I can’t personally make these dreams come true for the children. I have to believe in and support organizations like Food for the Hungry, who work with these children on a daily basis to ensure they have a brighter future. Think of someone you love and what their needs are. What would you be willing to give to fulfill those needs? Make their dreams come true? I encourage you to answer these questions, think about Elena and consider sponsoring a child.
Here’s how YOU can do it. Click the sponsorship banner on the left side of my blog. Choose a child and make your $32/month commitment. You’ll both begin an unforgettable journey!