The first time we met Rosa, there was a room full of Americans as she slowly walked out of her bedroom. Through some hand motions and some broken Spanish, we found out that she was having stomach issues and had been sick for 36 days.
We prayed for her physical healing and then were saying goodbye to head onto the next house.
But my heart broke when I hugged Rosa. It was a hug that started out as a polite hug, but then she leaned in and held onto me as if her life depended on it. There in my arms she just started crying; a simple quiet cry, a cry for help, for friendship, for love. We had to be on our way but as we were leaving her house, I saw the most beautiful white daisy.
I picked it up and ran back towards Rosa’s house. She was standing at the door watching us leave and I handed her the flower. I looked at the flower and said “bonita” (beautiful) and then I looked Rosa in the eyes and said “bonita tambien” (beautiful also). And then we were off.
The second time we met Rosa, there were just 3 of us. We showed up unexpectedly, but Rosa came out to meet us. She shared that she was feeling a little bit better and we proceeded to pray for her again. When we finished we began to have easy conversation. We had to stick with the basic Spanish, but we were able to talk about when Rosa and her children’s’ birthdays were, and what her favorite food was. We were becoming real friends. Her sister-in-law brought us cinnamon tea and we just sat around talking.
And that’s when Rosa started opening up to us. She began sharing about her real life. She shared how there was much more sickness then just her stomach sickness.
The man she had been calling her husband was actually not her husband, but the man she lived with. She shared with us that he was an alcoholic and was abusive to both here and their children.
(Yensy Carolina)
(Yenny)
(Carlito)
She pointed to the ceiling and showed us that although they had a roof, there was a giant gap and the wind would blow through at night. She shared how cold it got.
The bedspread was like a duvet without the comforter inside.
Back at the pastor’s house where I was sleeping, the walls were at least made of bed sheets.
My sleeping bag was made for cold weather.
I wore two pairs of socks, two jackets, and sweatpants to bed at night.
How cold must Rosa and her family be?
And that’s when it hit me.
I had asked Rosa how I could help her and now the answer was utterly clear.
I began to take off my rain jacket revealing my sweatshirt underneath.
I then took off the sweatshirt and began rapping it around Rosa’s body.
“Para tu” (For you).
That was all that needed to be said.
I zipped it up and told her she was beautiful.
This blog isn't about how kind or generous I am for giving Rosa my jacket.
I was only doing what Jesus was telling me to.
In fact, a selfish part of me was sad to see it go.
But obeying Him is far greater than a sweater.
But I am learning and growing.
More than anything I gave Rosa hope, the hope of Christ.
Please keep Rosa in your prayers.
Luke 3:11
John answered, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.”
