God Takes Care of his Flock
As this year has unfolded, I’ve had the opportunity to visit several of our partners in Guatemala, El Salvador, and Bolivia.
During these visits, I met many people who are deeply passionate about the well-being of others—people who consistently give their best, often putting aside their own needs.
Challenges and difficulties are part of living in a broken world, and while everyone faces hardships, those who are already at a disadvantage feel the impact much more acutely.
This is the case for Estela, a young mother in Bolivia whose two daughters are enrolled in the Casa de la Amistad project. Her daughters, ages 9 and 8, are diligent and motivated. They dream of continuing their education so that one day they can work and help support their mother.
Estela tries to make a living as a street vendor, selling small household cleaning items. But life as a street vendor is filled with uncertainty, where she wonders whether she’ll earn enough to meet her family’s needs. She is the sole breadwinner, as the children’s father is currently serving a long sentence in prison.
Despite these challenges, Estela and her daughters have kept fighting to pursue their dreams. However, Estela was recently diagnosed with a tumor that began to grow rapidly. For various reasons, and despite encouragement from others, she delayed seeking medical attention. She was afraid of undergoing surgery and what might happen to her daughters if something went wrong.
When she finally saw a doctor, the tumor had grown to nearly 15 cm. The surgery was deemed very high-risk. Still, the staff at Casa de la Amistad and members of the local community mobilized to explore treatment options at a private hospital. Through their efforts, they were able to raise the necessary funds for the operation.
By God’s grace, an oncologist at the private hospital agreed to perform the complex surgery. Estela underwent the operation and is now recovering.
It was deeply moving to hear that when she awoke from the anesthesia, she immediately felt a sense of relief and recognized the miracle that God had worked in her body.
Throughout the entire process, the Director of Casa de la Amistad and another partner organization walked closely with Estela. They not only helped raise the funds for her surgery but also ensured that her daughters were cared for during this difficult time.
I feel incredibly blessed to have met people who have such compassionate hearts and a deep commitment to serving those in need. I thank God for those who continue to support Casa de la Amistad, enabling it to remain a place of healing for children and their families.
