I was out today doing rice deliveries to families in Puyo. At one of the homes, the young daughter greeted me outside and said to me in an almost embarrassed tone with her head hung down, “Pastora, where I live is very small.” I just smiled and hugged her up close to me, and as I walked into that tiny room where she lives with 5 other people, I looked at her and told her it was so beautiful and that I was so honored to be there! She smiled so big! But deep down, I was holding back the tears. I saw a space that had holes in the walls and floor and had no facilities or water and mostly no food. I also saw an elderly lady in her 90’s and another teenager lying on the floor asleep, both very pale and sick. I asked if I could pray for them, and the young child immediately said “yes”.
The house nearby was a very similar circumstance. Babies and elderly on the floor, a sick young man lying on the only stained worn out mattress, and no food in the house, either.
I felt such sadness in each home. There was a great sense of hopelessness and despair. Such an acceptance of “This is how life is and it will never be any different.”
I prayed with them, hugged them, gave out tracts and smiles along with the groceries, and I told them about Jesus. I invited them to my church in Puyo. My heart was so heavy as I left them. For the enemy wants everyone to have that same mentality, that nothing will ever be any better than it is. That there is no hope. As I prayed for them again when I got into my truck, I was reminded of Hebrews 6:19,
“Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast…”
There is hope! And That hope is found in Jesus! He turns situations around and changes lives. He makes it all different. He makes everything NEW! And I know He can (and will) do that for them, too! I’m so honored to be here on the field bringing this HOPE to Ecuador!
