Josefina's Story: A Testament of Resilience in the Village of Chuluc

Josefina Gomez, a resilient woman in Chuluc, Guatemala, has faced profound hardships, yet her unwavering determination and the support of our partners at Locust Grove Baptist Church have allowed her to overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges.

Josefina's life is marked by a debilitating case of rheumatoid arthritis, which severely restricts her ability to perform the typical work of the Mayan people in Chuluc. Most residents in this village are sharecroppers, laboring in the fields to sustain their families. Tragically, Josefina’s husband abandoned her, leaving her to care for their two daughters, Kely and Yasmin, alone. In Guatemala, the absence of welfare or government assistance programs leaves a single mother without the ability to make a living in a precarious position.

Despite these circumstances, Josefina's spirit remained unbroken. Without the assistance our program and partners provide, she would have been unable to sustain her family and care for her children. The child sponsorship program and monthly food basket program have been instrumental in ensuring that both Kely and Yasmin could stay in school and pursue their dreams, rather than being forced to drop out and work in the fields to provide for the family.

Through our program, Kely is now well into her educational journey, studying to become a bilingual secretary, with aspirations to attend nursing school in the future. Yasmin, on the other hand, is studying to be a teacher but dreams of becoming a flight attendant one day. These girls embody hope and ambition, and their progress is a testament to the impact of our sponsorship.

During the two most recent mission trips to Chuluc, the team built a new kitchen for Josefina's family and constructed a set of steps to assist her in moving from her house to her kitchen. Josefina shared that her previous kitchen was dilapidated, with walls that were falling in, and she felt as though God had sent angels to make the much-needed repairs.

Josefina's story is one of incredible resilience, faith, and the transformative power of Christ-centered community support. Her journey reminds us that even in the face of adversity, hope can flourish, and dreams can be realized. It is a testament to the strength God provides, and we are honored to have been a part of her story and to witness the remarkable progress of Kely and Yasmin.