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This month, our features focus on Guatemala and a mission organization there called Life of Promise Ministries. My friends Arlene and Tom Richmond began this work nearly a decade ago. I asked Arlene to share a story from one of the women they serve through their mission. 

Our first visit to La Linea was about five years ago.  We were drawn to stop at this obscure little settlement—a place that most just pass by without a second thought.  A very friendly woman stood at the fence, smiling and waving to us the moment we got out of our truck. This is not common for Guatemalan women, who are usually more shy and reserved.  Her name was Ana Maria, and she told us about her family and about the “neighborhood.” It was basically several acres of unclaimed land on which abused and homeless women and their children set up makeshift huts.  


It was basically several acres of unclaimed land on which abused and homeless women and their children set up makeshift huts.

She invited us into her home, which was an adobe clay hut.  Although I could see she had many needs, she was more concerned about one of her neighbors.  So we went with her to meet Juli Mariana, who had a three-year-old son and was seven months pregnant.  Their one-room hut was made of plastic sheeting held up by small trees. I will never forget how dirty her son was, and how the flies on his face did not even cause him to flinch.  


I will never forget how dirty her son was, and how the flies on his face did not even cause him to flinch. 

Juli was extremely shy, and in her eyes God let me see that she had faced many hardships in her young life.  Ana Maria proceeded to tell me about Juli’s past. She had fled from the mountain village of Pinalito (the same village where our adopted daughter, Gabby, is from) to escape the wrath of her husband.  Family feuds and gang violence are common in the mountains, as many of the young men fight to claim small amounts of land on which to grow crops.  Juli’s husband, Carlos, had a long-time feud going with three of his cousins.  


Family feuds and gang violence are common in the mountains, as many of the young men fight to claim small amounts of land on which to grow crops.

It got so bad, that one night all three cousins raped Juli as the ultimate insult to Carlos.  As a result, it was unclear whose baby she was carrying. Carlos threatened to kill Juli and their son if she didn’t leave the village.  Tragically, women and children in the Mayan villages of Guatemala are always the helpless victims when families are warring against each other.  


Tragically, women and children in the Mayan villages of Guatemala are always the helpless victims when families are warring against each other.

After meeting Juli and hearing her story, we took her for an ultrasound at a public clinic in Zacapa the following week.  We purchased food and prenatal vitamins since she was living on a diet of corn tortillas and bananas. She was not open to the gospel.  She was angry with God, not even sure He was real. But if He was, He had given her terrible parents. 


She was angry with God, not even sure He was real. But if He was, He had given her terrible parents.

Two months later, Juli delivered a healthy baby girl.  We brought her diapers, baby clothes, and food. During the times we spent with Juli, she was always polite and shy.  She never shared details of her life, until one day when her daughter was about eight months old. I was visiting by myself, and that day she shared with me the story of her parents.  Her father was a very angry and ruthless gang leader in the mountains, and her mother left the family to work as a prostitute in town when Juli was eight. She was left to care for two younger brothers, as her father gained a dangerous reputation among the people of Pinalito.  They were constantly in fear for their lives.  


I felt led to share with her one of Jesus’ miracles about the woman with the issue of blood.

After she shared her story, I felt led to share with her one of Jesus’ miracles (from the gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke) about the woman with the issue of blood.  I didn’t understand why God led me in that direction until I finished reading the story to Juli.  Her eyes widened as she replied, “I had a dream exactly like that last night. I woke up in a fright because in my dream I was bleeding terribly and I was very weak.  I was trying to reach a man in front of me who looked like my husband from the back. When he turned around, I saw that it was actually my father. I was terrified.”  


God had prepared her heart with that dream the night before I went to visit!

I could hardly believe what I was hearing!  God had prepared her heart with that dream the night before I went to visit!  Although her father terrified her in the dream, she was able to make the connection that Jesus was the one she was reaching for; and that unlike her earthly father, He would not fail her.  She joyfully accepted this gift as we spoke, and she opened her heart to Jesus as her Savior that day!


She joyfully accepted this gift as we spoke, and she opened her heart to Jesus as her Savior that day!

I was so overjoyed, that I forgot one important element of the day.  As I got into bed that night, I suddenly remembered how earlier that morning I had woken up with a terrible headache that left me feeling weak, even after the headache subsided. A perfect excuse for me to stay home—which I almost did.  But something told me I needed to see Juli that day. I had no idea why I was drawn to her home until the events of the afternoon unfolded. 


Surely, God had planned and prepared for that day, long before Juli or I had even realized it.

Surely, God had planned and prepared for that day, long before Juli or I had even realized it. Our experience on the mission field has demonstrated that this is often how God works.  One of the mothers will come into my mind. Perhaps we haven’t visited her for five or six months; but suddenly I’m compelled to pay a visit.  I’ve learned not to make excuses or put people on my list for another day. When God is on the move, I need to find out where He’s working so I can join Him! 


Juli, herself, displays a newfound joy and confidence, as she teaches her son and daughter to trust in the Lord.

Juli and her children still live in La Linea. One day we hope to build a cement block home for them. God continues to grow and expand His kingdom in this little village. This is evident by the fact that many have come to faith in Christ, and demonstrated by the support and love they show to one another. A church is even being built on Ana Maria’s property! Juli, herself, displays a newfound joy and confidence, as she teaches her son and daughter to trust in the Lord.  


Juli's photo
From left to right: Arlene Richmond holding Juli's baby daughter and Juli.

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