What you think if while you’re waiting at the Bus Station of the Capital of a country, almost 9 hours watching women and men, hawkers, constantly pass offering their wares and children with very dirty clothes asking for money?
The night is approaching and the bus that will take me to destination would be arriving at 8:00 pm; and suddenly the edge of the aisle comes a little old lady with signs for days that a bath is not given, with two bags full of their belongings, looks that are all too dirty rags. She also brings a cane, but not from a factory but a rough bar taken from a tree branch and two cardboard, which were boxes once. And finally she comes very slowly in front of you, only three steps from you; and she puts the cane on the floor, scatters the two sheets of cardboard on the floor and with great difficulty lies there. What a sad picture !! This happened to me a week ago. For family reasons I had to accompany my mother to Asunción, capital of Paraguay (country that is above Argentina). I was returning to Santa Cruz and in front of me lay this old lady, That impotence! She did not sleep all on the cards. only the legs and hips were upon them, the rest his back and head directly on the cold floor. She covered her as well as she could and got ready to spend the night!
What I could do for her?
I kindly talked to her and offered her the only package of cookies I had. First she did not understand me and finally spoke to me but I could not understand what she said, and I realized she was speaking another language, possibly Guarani that is the official language of Paraguay. The old lady put the package inside his blanket but after half an hour, I didn’t control the time, she shot out the package, as you see in the picture. I didn’t know what she thought; I can not imagine that pass through her mind, God only knows. I decided to leave the package there and I left the place. I Returned 5 minutes later and the package was no more, no one was cleaning the place, possibly one of the many who traveled offering something would have taken. This experience left me a big mark in my heart, I pray for this and so many people in the world suffering and in desperate need of divine help.
This weekend very special as a family, from 27 to 29 May is the high school graduation of our daughter Karen, in Amity, Arkansas in Ouachita Hills Academy. Karen was richly blessed this year in her missionary trip to India.
How different cultures, as our brothers in India needed to know that there is one true God, creator of heaven and earth and does not need to have an idol of wood, stone, cement, etc. But only prayer and supplicate for His guidance, direction and daily protection.
I invite you that Psalm 57 could be your daily prayer:
” Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me!
For my soul trusts in You;
And in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge,
Until these calamities have passed by. ” Psalm 57:1Our work goes on, Miguel busy working on whatever he needs to do maintenance, construction, mechanical, etc. here on the campus of Red ADvenir Channel.
preparing the entrance for pavement …
Accommodating tools …
The bobcat already has the engine on. It needs some adjustments …
For my part fulfilling some of our desires, have a garden to helping our economy.
Thanks to the compost we do with leftover vegetables and fruits from our kitchen we achieve these beautiful banana nut squashes and radishes.
In Isaiah we find this beautiful promise,
” Fear not, for I am with you;
Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you,
Yes, I will help you,
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. ” Isaiah 41:10In the world today we both grieve and fear, but always look up. Our God gives us this beautiful promise and many more that tell us “Fear not”. Always remember that fear is not from God, but from the enemy of God who wants us to become discouraged and see us defeated.
We pray that Sharon, Lara and Karen can have together a very blessed graduation.
Many thanks to all our dear friends who encourage us, support and pray for us. Also special thanks to all those who in one way or another are helping Sharon and Karen go ahead .
God bless you richly!
Mirta y Miguel Farias