Recently, I got to spend a few days in Spain. It was a little precursor of things to come as I continue to finish raising the rest of my budget.
While I was there I got to visit a city in Spain where one of our partner’s works to support kids, families and single moms. They provide small groups for the adults monthly that helps people build social supports and they have a counselor who donates her time to provide counseling when needed. Sometimes, it’s for family matters and sometimes it’s for more difficult circumstances. The daily work that occurs is a couple hours of tutoring for kids and a little bit of food. The families represented by the kids come from Spain, South America, Middle East and Africa. It’s a great thing to see! Kids from so many nations laughing, studying and learning together. For a quarter of the group, Spanish is a second language (or third or fourth) they are still learning.
(stock photo from the internet – due to privacy reasons)
During the short visit I met a woman whose children are in the tutoring program. When she learned that I was with Convoy Of Hope she was eager to practice her English and share her story. English being her third language and much better than her Spanish which is her 4th language. And clearly much better than my Spanish. I need to get past learning how to order queso! I will!
Anyways, Her journey started in Eritrea around 15 years ago. Eritrea is a country that gained it’s independence from Ethiopia around 1993 and has been ruled by the same “president”. Violence, war and persecution have been the norm for many years and anyone not belonging to the official recognized church face persecution; Muslims, Evangelicals, Pentecostals and Orthodox have faced heavy persecution since the early 2000s. Essentially, the government arrests and harrases anyone that doesn’t bend the knee.
So, her fiance moved to Israel for work and she followed not too long after. However, Israel had some kind of policy of spending 1-3 years in jail for entering the country without papers. So, she does her time. While in jail, she wanted to be a ‘good Othodox Christian’ and teach others about the Bible, but she realized she probably needed to start reading it first. While reading and studying the New Testament in jail she expressed how she experienced Jesus in real way for the first time in her life!
“He changed everything!”
She got out of jail and proceeded to get married and share her new found faith in Christ with him….
4 kids later…. Due to some health issues and not being able to receive healthcare because of their not entirely legal status in Israel, they immigrated to Spain so he could receive health care. Now she is active in the Church there and walks her children about 45 minutes across town every day so they can receive tutoring.
3 countries later, fleeing persecution, dealing with immigration challenges, healthcare issues, lack of finances, several kids and an uncertain future…. And she was all smiles because “God is Good!”
Convoy of Hope is partnering with people who are spreading hope and giving support to those in need!
Soon I will be on the ground in Europe full time! After a few pledges and conversations the last few days, it looks like I’m down to raising my last $50 a month for the next two years!
