As we pulled up in our van, Marion stood in the doorway just as exposed as the frail, abandoned building that seemed to diminish his presence. Once housing an electrical generator, the crumbly, old structure is now home to Johan, Elena and their 4 children.
$7 a day… the sparse fruit of Johan's hard labor. $7 a day – the meager wages the family of 6 has to survive on. Despite wanting more for his family, Johan knows no better way.
And while Johan slaves away to earn his $7, Elena stays at home to care for their 4, young children.
Elena pours herself into them… especially Marion, who was diagnosed with autism a few years ago. The family needs to take him to a doctor but they can't afford it. Fortunately, our contact at Casa Shalom, Becky, is working to help them receive government aid.
The burden of not being able to provide a better life for their children weighs heavily upon Elena – a mother who desperately yearns to give her precious babies the world… but knows that she can't.
Can you imagine what it's like to walk in their sole-worn (and soul-worn), tattered shoes… to walk daily in hunger and filth? Can you imagine what it's like to be shackled by destitution?
For most of us this is just a story to read… and eventually forget about. Strangers – to us – representing the face of a widespread problem, inflicting billions of people around the world… But for them – Johan, Elena and their 4 children – this is real life – the only one they know.
A life of being squatters in an old, abandoned building. A life of pure indigence…
An existence where dirt-riddled dishes and scrap slices of stale, hard bread are as good as it gets…
The day we visited them, we got to bless them with some food. Something so small made such a great impact on them. A beacon of hope in a dark, dingy building.
Immediately, Andre grabbed ahold of an apple and began chomping away at it with his 10 tiny teeth. The sight tickled my heart.
And as we were there, we embraced them with love… though their circumstances weighed heavily upon our hearts. In our desire to do more… we felt a bit helpless.
(The whole family – Johan, Elena, Christina, Andre, Andrea and Marion)
But that day, Papa (God) reminded me that all He really asks of us is to walk in (small acts of) love… with Him at the center. To be the presence of light and hope to people. To embrace them with grace and understanding. To show them kindness and compassion. To reveal the heart of Jesus to them… through hugs, smiles and groceries…
Dear Johan, Elena, Christina, Andrea, Marion and Baby Andre,
Whether you know it or not… you are loved – by a great and mighty Father! You are precious, you are worthy, you are cherished! And though you may struggle now… there will come a day when every tear, every hardship will be completely wiped away.
"Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.
Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will befitted
Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh."
Luke 6: 17-26
I'll be keeping you in my prayers and on my heart…
All my love,
aj
