Jennifer

I was talking to one of my students, Jennifer. I have known her since she was about 3 years old. She is 9 now. She asked me about my family, how many kids, etc. I told her and then I asked her about her family. She informed me her mother has 11 children, the oldest is in early 20's and the youngest is 1 year old. She said, they all live in the same house,( which is a small house , she said) plus her grandmother who is 103. Also, some nieces and nephews. She said her house has no refrigerator, no stove and not enough beds for everyone. They cook their food on a fire on the ground. She went on to say that they never eat meat, because it is too expensive, they eat mostly beans and rice and vegetables and fruit. But, she added, sometimes they don't have enough money for wood for the fire so they eat cold food. And sometimes, they don't have enough money for food, so they just eat tortillas, but she added, sometimes we don't have money for tortillas, and then we just have coffee.

I don't know about you, but this touched my heart. What I just shared about Jennifer is her whole life, she knows nothing more than La Isla. She has never been to a shopping mall, or even to a grocery store like Fred Meyers. She hasn't seen the city, or the lakes or rivers or ocean.

We will be taking her to a Retreat this year, where she will have plenty to eat, including meat. The bus ride will also be a treat for her, for she will be able to see what there is outside of La Isla.

I tell you, it may seem like a little thing to send one child to camp, but I tell you, this is a very big thing for her.

Thank you all who pray for this ministry, thank you for all your offerings too. Just a little bit, can make a BIG difference.