A Season of Hope

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” *

            We had a “sad but sweet” send-off this month for Maggie, the young woman whom Al and I have helped sponsor for many years at a children’s home in Oaxaca, Mexico.  Margarita, who goes by “Maggie” doesn’t know English and we don’t know much Spanish; however, we were able to correspond through an interpreter, sending letters and cards back and forth three or four times a year.

Over time quite a bond formed between us even though we had never met. Then came an email from the person in charge of sponsorship at the home, telling us that Maggie was leaving the program. Nothing was wrong…everything was right! She had completed the LVN program last year in Mexico and now has received her RN degree.

This was quite an accomplishment for several reasons, the first being that she managed to stick with it and finish the program in the midst of the COVID pandemic. I wanted to find out if Maggie had to stop her studies to help care for the sick in the overcrowded hospitals there. But good for her that she managed to complete the necessary requirements even if she had to study and work at the same time. Maggie is now a nurse! What a great accomplishment for her.

Maggie first came to the Foundation for His Ministry children’s home in Oaxaca in 2008. She had been living in Mexico City with her mother, but was in a desperate situation. When she arrived at the home, Maggie was behind in schooling for her age and had to make up for lost time.  She was fourteen years old when she began the eighth grade.

If asked what she wanted to be when she “grew up,” her reply was to attend chef school and become a chef after graduating from high school. The mission in Oaxaca gave her the opportunity to attend classes regularly, so that she eventually was able to graduate from high school at the age of twenty-one.

 Somewhere along the line, Maggie’s goal changed from attending chef school to enrolling in nursing school which she was able to do with the help of a team of sponsors who continued supporting and encouraging her. At twenty-seven years old, she realized her goal and became an RN.  

How wonderful that this ministry not only takes in and nurtures vulnerable children but also provides support to them all of the way through school and continues to stick by them after graduation. Many of them have been and are going to universities, with high aspirations as well as a firm commitment to follow Christ. What an impact they are having and will have in the future upon their communities, shining His light wherever they go!

 It has been a great blessing getting to know Maggie and watching her grow through the years—in stature and confidence as well as in her faith in Christ which she often expressed in her notes to us. She was also extremely grateful for our support, sending thank you cards along with colorful drawings. Knowing that she now has hope for the future, not only through her new career, but also through her relationship with Him fills my heart with joy.

A prayer and praise email from the Foundation for His ministry just arrived with this note:

“Father God…We thank you again for how you have changed Maggie’s life. How she went from almost being sold as a child bride, to her knowing you, growing with us and pursuing a career in nursing. God, you are so good!” To that prayer, I echo “Amen!”

As the advent season is about to start, may we focus on the hope that is found in knowing Jesus Christ personally. Jesus, the One who saves us from our sins…the hope of the nations, the hope of all mankind.

“But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.’” (Matthew 1:20-21 NIV)

*Romans 15:13 NIV