Reporting from El Salvador…by Lorena
Dear family and friends of Hope for Families, El Salvador,
Today we bring you an article written by Lorena, who has been a Hope House resident for the past 2 ½ years. Lorena is an International Business Relations student at the Evangelical University here in El Salvador. She is passionate about life and she keeps our home hopping with fun! We asked our International Relations students (Lorena and Victoria) to put those ‘relational’ skills to work to communicate with us here in the United States about what they are up to down in Central America during this crazy time! Here, she has a conversation with Daniela, who is a 4 year resident of the home, studying medicine at the same university, as well as Galilea, her daughter who lives in the home with her.
RUTH DANIELA ASCENCIO AND FERNANDA GALILEA ASCENCIO
by Lorena Ascencio
We are in a complex situation due to Covid 19 around the world. Here in El Salvador, it is no different. But, we are grateful to have a home and all that God has provided through the foundation for our lives. A place where we can feel safe, cared for, and, with all the necessary tools to continue our lives with hope.
“… setting our eyes on Jesus who is the author and finisher of our faith.” Hebrews 12: 2.
Although the girls have had to stay in the capital for the quarantine, they were able to be connected to their families through social networks and telephone calls. They have been living in community, growing spiritually, and having opportunities to fulfill loving God and loving others as themselves.
Today we share the vivid experience of Daniela and her daughter Galilea.
When Daniela (and Galilea) first came to the home, (almost 4 years ago) it took her a while to handle having all the responsibility of a daughter and living in community with all the other girls, as she was suddenly submerged in the home as a full-time student, and a full-time mom. Certain situations. such as having the other girls point out when Galilea wasn’t behaving well, were difficult for Daniela. But then, she realized that she had to grow up in that area and see that the other girls were willing to support and help her. Something she also has learned is to see God in each one and to recognize that everyone is different in character and personality. She learned that if there are things that seem frustrating, she can go to Jesus and see the other gals as He looks at them.
During this quarantine, there have been moments when Daniela has experienced anxiety because she is away from her family. (The girls were all required to stay in the home during the quarantine because they had to continue school online, which would not have been possible had they gone home.) But, amid the crisis she has felt the support of the girls and the care of God. Daniela and Galilea’s family live in San Julián. Her mother and her three sisters live in a small village on the outskirts of this city. Daniela said that, at first, she thought she should go to be with her family because that was the best way to take care of her and her daughter’s health during the pandemic. This was something she struggled with in the first weeks of the quarantine, as she greatly missed her family. Then, she realized that God is the one who has control over every situation and that He will care for the life of her family as well as the life of her daughter. Daniela says that it has been a time where her faith and trust have been tested and she has learned to trust God with her worries and fear.
During this quarantine, there have been moments when Daniela has experienced anxiety because she is away from her family. (The girls were all required to stay in the home during the quarantine because they had to continue school online, which would not have been possible had they gone home.) But, amid the crisis she has felt the support of the girls and the care of God. Daniela and Galilea’s family live in San Julián. Her mother and her three sisters live in a small village on the outskirts of this city.
Daniela said that, at first, she thought she should go to be with her family because that was the best way to take care of her and her daughter’s health during the pandemic. This was something she struggled with in the first weeks of the quarantine, as she greatly missed her family. Then, she realized that God is the one who has control over every situation and that He will care for the life of her family as well as the life of her daughter. Daniela says that it has been a time where her faith and trust have been tested and she has learned to trust God with her worries and fear.
Daniela’s mother, Nelsy, provides for her daughters through domestic work in San Salvador. She cleans houses and does other jobs, but due to the quarantine closure, she was left without a job. During this time, the provision of God came in two ways, one was the bond that the government offered to the Salvadoran population. (Although, generally, many families did not receive it.) Nelsy did receive it. The second way was through the Porter family, who gave a financial love offering to the families. With this, Nelsy was able to buy supplemental food and to create a small business in her community, selling typical Salvadoran foods. Now, she has a fixed income of money. Daniela and her entire family are grateful to God and the people who support them by being bridges of blessing. We thank God that He has provided for others who have generously shared with us.
Like most students during the quarantine, Daniela and Galilea receive online classes. At the beginning of this new method of study, it was difficult for them. But, day by day they have adapted. Daniela studies her classes through the Evangelical University and also helps Galilea with her online school classes.
Galilea is in the fourth grade and says that, at the home, she has also been able to feel the support of the other girls. They help her do her homework, including projects and crafts. In addition, she began to receive personalized tutoring in subjects, such as mathematics, to better understand the topics.
She also has learned to receive advice from each of the girls in the house. Through studying the Word together, God has helped her understand that if someone in the home calls attention to her behavior, it is out of love. It’s because they want to help her and to encourage her growth.
Daniela and Galilea enjoy recreation times with the other girls, such as games, activities and Bible studies. They both express that they have grown to know God more, and to love one another more.
Daniela says:
“In this new way of life, learning what God has been teaching me has been
totally a blessing for me. Trust in Him has become the fundamental pillar of my life and it is a work that God has done. I have been reading a book called: “9 Ways to Have an Extraordinary Life”, and I have learned that I must keep my life walking in Faith and also know that God wants us to live according to HIS heart. I feel joyful to be living this time and learning to know God in a thousand ways.”
“I miss my family from San Julián and I hope to see them soon. But, I know that God is teaching me that He is in control and that there are things that I do not understand. God knows why I had to be away from them, and GOD says in his word: “My thoughts are higher than your thoughts … “. That’s why sometimes we cannot understand what He does, but, I want to learn from God every day”.