We had the honour of getting to know Pastor
(36 years old), Flor de Carmen (27 years old) and their two boys Emerson (7
years old) and Josue (5 years old) and it was an experience I will never
forget.
As we asked the family questions about what
their life is like, the differences between our lives in Canada and their lives
in El Salvador became even more real. We asked them what they do for holidays
and they said they didn't have enough money to really celebrate, but at
Christmas they make a nice meal and have beans. Pastor is a farmer and the boys
go to school. They love God, but their church puts a lot of pressure on women
and makes many rules for them, so they don’t go to church as often anymore. In any spare
time they have, they like to go to the park as a family.
Pastor and Flor de Carmen are not married
because they can’t afford it. They told us that almost no one gets married
because of the cost. They would like to get married if they had the money.
When asked about how God has changed their
lives, Pastor said something that really amazed me. He said, “I will tell you
one thing, I may not have money, but I am the happiest man in the world because
I have God, I love my family, and now I have a new home.”
The love the family has for each other was
evident in everything they said and did. It was obvious that they are very
close. The two boys sat on their fathers lap for the whole interview, and whenever a
question was asked, the couple would just glance at each other and seem to know
exactly what to say.
They dedicated their lives to God four
years ago, and their faith has stayed strong ever since. We asked how we should
pray for them,
This family was such a blessing to us and I
am truly honoured that I was able to sit and talk with them. Even through all
their struggles of poverty, they are one of the most loving, joyful families I
have ever met, and I am so glad I was able to be a part of building their new
home.
Julia Loewen and Colleen Giesbrecht
