Meet Lolita.
Not me! The woman next to me. Yea, her name is Lolita too. Now you know that everyone who is named Lolita is super cool. And she’s no exception. She is the wife of the pastor that we are working with at the orphanage and the school.
Let me tell you a bit of her story. I may not do it justice nor may I have it completely accurate since my Spanish and understanding universal gestures only goes so far.
Lolita is half Jamaican and half Guatemalan though she grew up in Guatemala her whole life. She had a great career in the army as a parachuter jumping out of airplanes and then later working with the government. (She showed me some pictures, which made it even cooler!). After getting married and having two kids (one of them, she was pregnant with while parachuting and had stomach pains not knowing she was pregnant at the time!), their family had a calling to go start a church. They knew their calling, but did not know where. At first they tried to start a church in the US but that door wasn’t fully opened. Eventually it become clear… Quiche. Quiche??? Leave the nice life of Guatemala City and move to a small city of Quiche? That also meant leaving a career behind too! Hesitantly, Lolita followed the calling by faith.
Today, Lolita’s family lives in the church above where worship and service is held. Her husband, Pastor David, preaches and teaches not only in Quiche but in other parts of Guatemala and sometimes in America. Lolita has been and continuing to fulfill her calling as a mother to three, Rene, Ana Luica, and Julio. Rene has been our excellent translator, Ana Luica’s heart and beauty exemplifies her love for God and people, and Julio who is a hoot, making us laugh and has us (my team) repeating his inside jokes. Without Lolita’s faith and support, the orphanage and school may not have come about. The kids from the orphanage, as I have mentioned before, are so thankful and loving towards everything.
Everyday, for lunch she made us a home cooked meal. Even though the ceiling of their house is falling, their family has such a huge heart to welcome us and feed us with more than they can. And trust me, the food was delicious. Though they do not have much and still need to work and support the orphanage and school, they see God’s provision every time.
It is encouraging to me to hear people’s stories of faith and obedience all around the world. Lolita’s story is just one of many awesome stories that is woven in God’s masterpiece. Through it, it has brought so much fruit and love that extends beyond her family.
Where do we need more faith or obedience in? What part of the story do you play in God’s masterpiece? Are we fulfilling that well?
