When you were a child, what did you dream you could grow up to be? Little boys dreamed about becoming a fireman, a poiceman, a lawyer or even the President of the United States and while girls dreamed of being princesses, teachers or presidents of companies. Either way your dreams are endless. Well what are your dreams if you are a refugee from El Salvador and living in Guatemala?
About 5 weeks ago we were sent a message on Facebook about a family in El Salvador that was being threatened by the gang there. Marta, the mother has two daughters, Jenni 18 and Isabel 12. Jenni was approached by the gang to become one of the gang members girlfriends. The family being Christian said no. The gang threatened to kill Jenni if she refused. They went as far as to send a newspaper clipping showing another girl who was killed by the gang and this would happen to her if she did not go along with them. They moved to a safehouse in another part of the city until they could get their birth certificates and passports. The plan was to sell the house and move to Guatemala or Mexico if they could get asylum. When Marta went back to sell the house the gangs had already moved in so they lost everything except what they had with them. The only thing we could do is say yes. There was no other option, time was of the eccense.
As we stood waiting at the bus stop in Guatemala City, we watched as three terrified ladies got off the bus. This was a whole new life for them. All their friends and family are gone. Carol and I are the only ones they will trust(and we speak very little Spanish). The plan was to take them to an orphanage that takes in abandoned women and children. Marta was so affraid she would only go home with us.
It has been almost 4 weeks now and we have had our ups and downs. One night they had packed their bags and were ready to leave. To where we don’t know. The buses had stopped running and they probably would have slept on the streets. The goal is to get the family stabilized so they can start their life over and be successful.
The first goal was to find a school that Jenni and Isabel could get into a routine, and make new friends. After 3 1/2 weeks we were finally successful finding a school that would take them and we could somewhat afford. It appears if you are not Guatemalan private school is the only option.
Secondly we are trying to find employement for Marta. Again if you are not Guatemalan you can’t get traditional employement. Sound familar as in the US but no green cards here. She works at the house 2 days a week but that is not enough to sustain a family.
Lastly we are trying to find them someplace to live. That is like trying to find a needle in a haystack with 10 haystacks and one needle. Property of this type is very rare and only found out by the word of mouth.
So what does a refugee from El Salvador in Guatemala dream about becoming. Jenni informed me today that she wants to learn how to dance at school. Isabel well she just wants to have fun for now. i would love for them to dream as big as they can. It saddens me to think that their dreams have to be less than ours.
Thanks to all who gave to the stove at the house, the abundance of donations surpassed the cost of the stove so we are using the rest to support the family. Please continue to pray for us and the family on what next. God is a good good God and we are so thankful for you. If you want to give anymore for the family please give thru Love-Serve.org.
