House #2

Meeting Marta...

House #2 was to be built for a quiet, shy lady and her sickly, anemic son, Hosea Adrien (17). All seemed pretty straight forward – she lived in a shack of tarps, mud walls and various pieces of metal in the shadow of her farmer father’s large home. Yes, this lady needed a house to keep her sick son dry and give them the protection they needed and deserved. It was not an uncommon sight.

But wait. There is more. Look closer and listen for everyone has a story to tell...

Marta (36) is one of 13 children and has only a grade 3 education. She married young and birthed 3 children. Her husband never gave her a house of her own (something that is expected in their culture) and then, one day, left. Her parents helped her financially when the children were young and she managed to keep them in school until grade 8. She works in her father’s fields, as does her son when he is well enough. They have 5 chickens and get beans and corn from the fields.

One day, her husband returns and takes their healthy son, Samuel Antonio, and leaves for good. Marta does not know where her son is living or how he is doing (my heart breaks right here). Marta’s daughter, Flore Esmarelda, is married and lives in San Felipe; she sees them every few months. She is proud to have a grandson, she says.

And what of this house God is blessing you with – what does it mean to you, Marta? She promptly replies, "It will keep my son dry and safe. It will be my first house; it makes my heart so happy!" Again, that shy smile.

We ask her: "What is it that keeps you smiling?" And, she quietly replies, “I know that only God can help me.” In her situation, would I be smiling, I ask myself?

So, we ask quiet, smiling Marta what it is that she dreams for in the future. My heart swells and eyes brim as she explains through our translator: "I want my son to get married and have a family ... and that God gives me good health to see my grandson grow up." I nod a knowing smile. Here we sit, women living a world apart in time and space, but we simply want the same things for ourselves and for our families. Simple truths. A mother’s heart is the same. I reflect, whether you live in San Felipe or St. Catharines. 

There are other truths to be told of Marta’s life, but she chooses not to share those with us.  Truths about how one survives in poverty; truths about hard choices; truths about being abandoned. But a real truth was spoken – Marta knows that only God can help her. Amen, Marta.

by Karen Hooper & Shirley Francey