Continued…
And so I arrive at 9:20am at the same place; she is not there. I put my head in my hands and pray. The sound of footsteps become louder and so I look up to see her right in front of me. Ofelia tells me that she came at 8:00am to pray and that she had been waiting ever since then. Pulling out la Santa Biblia given to me by a permanent Missionary from the U.S. located here, she begins to smile calling the book muy bonito. I soon find out how alone she has felt in life even though she lives with an intact family and has what she needs to be sustained physically. Ofelia still hungers for something more. She proceeds to tell me how she’s been depressed from being alone and has not a soul to call friend. Time and time again people has given her less reason to trust in others. She feels as if there is no purpose for her life. How many more women are out there like Ofelia?
I’m beginning to know Jesus’ compassion. Not only for her but for those like her as well.
The second time we met, she asked me more intently about what religion I followed. I could only respond with what I know about God: I read and know the Word/the Bible, that I believe it is from the very mouth of God and is therefore Truth. Although I cannot see Him, I know His call and follow by faith that who He is, is who He says He is. Christ is the light of this world, my hope and my Savior. She responded to this and more as if it was the first time she heard the Good News before even though she weekly attends mass. This is the first time ever having a Bible of her own.
“Just as we eat to fill us physically, this is the spiritual bread that we read to be filled spiritually.” This she understood.
I look directly into her eyes. “And the Lord has a purpose for your life. He hasn’t forgotten you.” This was the first time anyone had told her this simple truth. For someone who hardly grinned in our first meeting, smiled boldly while holding he crisp paged Santa Biblia.
She had many questions for me and I had many questions for her. I’m not here to spout out a bunch of Christian jargon fluff, I’m here to be used by God and present His message. Being obedient to this has a lot to do with realizing that it’s not about me. It’s about Him having been here long before I ever stepped foot off of some bus.
I will remain in contact with Ofelia and do my best to get here hooked up with Christian fellowship even though I’m leaving tomorrow in the muy manana. She asked me anxiously when I would return, and I didn’t have an answer of really anyone’s favor. I just don’t know. I could only leave her with the promise that God has already given us — He does not abandonus and we are not alone.
It’s a new day for Ofelia.
