During this week I had the opportunity to visit Miguel and Daniela’s family. Miguel (13) and Daniela (8)(the two kids wearing white in the picture above) have been in our CDI for 5 years now and are a two of the quietest and sweetest kids. About 4 years ago our church worked with a mission team to build their family a house, to which we went to visit. The team spent time talking with them, their parents, and their cousin (who accepted Jesus during our visit!). During our time we split up into teams to take bags of rice and lentils to neighboring houses. After visiting a few houses with my group we stopped to rest in the shade and started talking to Miguel and he shared with us more about an experience he recently had which I’d like to share with you.
Miguel and Daniela’s family made a living selling seeds, nuts, candy and similar things. Each weekend they would go up into San Salvador to sell on the side of the road and often would go into the road to approach cars stopped at traffic lights. Recently many laws in El Salvador have been changing and old laws not previously enforced are now being enforced. Because of this the child protection agency in El Salvador stopped by the area where Miguel and his family were selling and detained Miguel while he was apart from his family. He was taken to an orphanage in a city about 2 hours away by bus where he stayed for a month and a half. With the support from Marielos, the director of our CDI, they were able to get him released under the conditions that he is faithful atender of our program. We have to write letters monthly stating that Miguel continues to attend our program and attesting to his character.
Miguel’s family has had to rethink their way of earning a living because his parents can’t risk their safety by going out to sell anymore and neither do they want to leave the kids alone at home. They’ve chosen to pursue starting a small business selling tortas (sandwiches) and pupusas (a traditional Salvadoran food- corn or rice flour tortillas stuffed with beans, cheese, pork, etc). The mission group that was here blessed them with a small business loan as capital with which they can start selling their food.
I tell you this story because 1) I want to share what life is like for many of the kids in the CDI, and 2) because it's important to take time to see how the Lord is working even in some of the most difficult situations. I personally have seen a change in Miguel, where he was reserved and very shy he is now more willing to converse and open up about his life and his interests. While in San Salvador Miguel spent a good amount of time with other boys his own age and older while away from his parents which we've seen here tends to lead to delinquency. Now he comes every day with a new drive to learn and and a newfound love for his family. Due to his time in the orphanage discovered a love for art that he didn't know he had (and he's really good!)
I thank the Lord that even through the hardest situations on this earth that he never leaves us. Our purpose each day on this earth is to share the gift of salvation with others and to become more like Christ. He is shaping us each day through every situation we find ourselves in.
