Stories of LifeStories of Life

What difference can Christ What difference can Christ make?make?

What difference Christ can What difference Christ can make!make!

“The Earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it:” Psalm 24:1

Growing up here can cause one to overlook the immense beauty. Sometimes I was so hungry that I never saw the glorious works of the Lord always laid out before me.

“Guard my life and rescue me; let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you.” Psalm 25:20

Jesus, hmm…now that’s a popular name, but really what could Christ possible offer to me? Could he feed my little sister? Could he help my mother find work? Could he just find my father? Could he make me beautiful, so that when I’m in the city the rich girls wouldn’t sneer and turn away because of my old worn and tattered clothes?

“Hear this, all you peoples; listen, all who live in this world, both low and high, rich and poor alike:” Psalm 49:1-2

Sometimes we would go to the city. We were there to pick up money that Uncle Juan had sent us from the States. The gringos were everywhere with their white skin, gold jewelry, and pockets full of money. Sometimes Rosa would ask them for money when Mama wasn’t looking. Usually they would just shoo her away.

“Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in his ways. You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours.”

Psalm 128:1-2

It seemed so silly, people spending money for coconuts. Why they grow right next to our house! I suppose the big city people forget what its like in the country. Well, at least it’s a job and at least the vender will have something to take home to his family.

“How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord Almighty! My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.” Psalm 84:1-2The flowers were always so beautiful! On TV, women were always getting flowers from handsome men. I used to wonder if anyone would ever buy me flowers one day, but daydreams don’t amount to much when you wear the same clothes for days on end.

“They asked, and he brought them quail and satisfied them with the bread of heaven.” Psalm 105:40

Mama always took pride when we walked through the produce markets. She had a way with the fruits of the earth. She always knew what was ripe and good and when the merchants were trying to swindle us. She would never be taken in and would always barter her way to the best deal for her money. She had a knack for always choosing the sweetest, most delicious pineapple in the bunch. Mmmm…I can still taste them on my lips.

“My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you.” Psalm 63:5

One day we had guests. Mama made a meal like none other we had ever had! I knew these strangers from the States had to be important for us to eat like that! Mama said they came to talk about Jesucristo, I didn’t really care. I just wondered if they knew Uncle Juan.

“Do good, O Lord, to those who are good, to those who are upright in heart.” Psalm 125:4

Dishes! There are always dishes! Where is Rosa when I need help?!? Someday I’m going to live in a big house with running water and glass windows and I’m even going to have electricity that works. I’ll even hire someone else to wash the dishes for me. Ahhh, I wonder if someday will ever arrive, well until it does, I’m stuck here doing dishes.

“Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God, the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea and everything in them—it is the Lord who remains faithful forever.” Psalm 146:6The heat, the boredom, the monotony are nearly unbearable at times. There is this church in town; they’re planning baseball games and volleyball games. Who ever heard of a church playing games? What kind of religion is that?

“Many, O Lord my God, are the wonders you have done. The things you planned for us no one can recount to you;” Psalm 40:5

Baseball! Who would’ve thought? A church leading over 60 boys while they play baseball! Hector told me that they didn’t even make him pray or anything. He wasn’t allowed to swear, but his mama don’t like swearing anyway. Those church folk, they sure are strange.

“When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?” Psalm 8:3-4I had to get away.

Mama keeps talking about those strangers and that church. I have a secret spot, under my tree, where I can be alone and look over the valley and think. What do those strangers have that I don’t? Sure, life’s not

the greatest, but why do we have to change anything? Why can’t Mama just be happy with me and Rosa. I like the way things are.

“Deliver me and rescue me from the hands of foreigners whose mouths are full of lies, whose right hands are deceitful.” Psalm 144:11

Those gringos are back. They can’t even speak our language! Why should I bother listening to anything they say?!? Maria brought them around. I trust Maria. She may be the pastor’s wife, but she’d never lie to us. Maria really cares and always listens. If Maria likes ‘em I guess I could try.

“He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed he will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord watches over you—the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.” Psalm 121:3-6I’m still not sure about listening to those strangers, but really what do I have to lose? There isn’t anything left for them to take, everything is so bare. I guess I’ll go, what could it hurt? Rosa keeps bugging me anyway. Yeah, I’d better go, Rosa needs someone to look out for her.

“Teach me, O Lord. Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word. Take away the disgrace I dread, for your laws are good.” Psalm 119:33,37,39There were already a lot of people there when we arrived. I couldn’t believe that so many kids really wanted to listen to what these people had to say. There were even quite a few adults there as well. Some were even moved to tears.

“O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise.” Psalm 8:1-2

Well, we had a lot of fun, but don’t tell anyone. Those Americans sure can be funny sometimes We sang and we laughed and laughed. We didn’t pay too close attention to the

adults. We got told to settle down a couple of times. We really did have a good time. Some girls taught us the silliest song I’d ever heard. Dumdum dada……or something like that anyway.

“Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain.”

Psalm 127:1

Sure, you go to one little meeting, have a good time, tell them you believe in Christ and now they expect you to work for them! Well you can count me out! “Rosa, where are you going?” “What?” “You can’t…don’t…ahh wait for me!”

“I rejoiced with those who said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord.’ Our feet are standing in your gates, O Jerusalem.” Psalm 122:1-2

Its almost like a fiesta! Except for the hard work part, but you’d never guess to look at them or talk to them. These Christians, they’re different than the ones I’ve met before. They pray, and laugh, and joke even while they work!

“Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord. The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry.” Psalm 34:11,15

While the others worked on building a new church, they say they need more room with all the people showing up, we got to sing songs, read scripture, play games and we even got to act out what we wanted to do when we grew up. I want to be a singer. It was a great day!

“I will allow no sleep to my eyes, no slumber to my eyelids, till I find a place for the Lord, a dwelling for the Mighty One of Jacob.” Psalm 132:4-5

Wow, it seems as though they’ve been working forever! But you know, no one seems to mind. Sometimes they disagree, but they work it out. They say they are ‘building a house for the Lord’ whatever that means.

“God sets the lonely in families, he leads forth the prisoners with singing.” Psalm 68:6

Mama went to the city. She said she couldn’t take us, but a family in San Juan offered to watch us. It’s a church family. They seem pretty nice. Maybe if I let Jan look at my picture book she’ll braid my hair. She better not hurt my book.

“You answer us with awesome deeds of righteousness, O God our Savior, who stilled the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, and the turmoil of the nations.” Psalm 65:5,7

Mama came back and I didn’t want to leave. Jan didn’t even ask to see my book. She said she braided my hair just because we are friends and sisters in Christ. I showed her my book anyway.

We went for a walk along the coast. Jan told me that God made all of this, just for us, just to say, “I love you.” I think I love Jan, I wouldn’t mind if she really was my sister.

“Praise the Lord from the earth, young men and maidens, old men and children. Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted, his splendor above the earth and the heavens.” Psalm 148:7,12-13

More games! I’ve never known church people to play so many games! Luis says its because the gringos don’t have to talk when they play. Sometimes I think he’s right. But you know we can communicate without words too. When I really look I can hear their eyes saying, “I love you.” Maybe that’s the way it is when Jan looks at the ocean and can hear God speaking to her.

“May your unfailing love come to me, O Lord, your salvation according to your promise; for I trust in your word.” Psalm 119:41-42

Jan told me that Jesucristo really is God’s son and that he died on a cross, for me, so I could live with God forever. Why would anyone do that? Sometimes I give up my plantains for Rosa,because I love her. But who would die for someone

else, someone they didn’t even know? Jan says that God does know us, and that he loves us even more than I love Rosa.

“You hem me in—behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me. Where can I go from your Spirit: Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there; even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.” Psalm 139:7-8,10

I believe what Jan told me. I really believe it! Now I know what Mama was talking about. It doesn’t hurt to change. Well, it hurts a little, but it’s a good hurt. I have tell Rosa, she has to hear all about Christ too. I’ll take her to my secret tree so we can talk without Mama being so nosey.

Guess what?!? Rosa believes too!!! She says she believed even before I did. I’m not so sure, but I don’t think it really matters. One of the men at church needed his laundry done, so Mama’s been

washing for him. She’s even picked up a few more customers. The pastor is looking to find us all bibles of our own. Jan promised to help me read mine.

“Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:3-4

“I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. My soul will boast in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together.” Psalm 34:1-3

Well, life certainly isn’t a piece of cake just because we became Christians, but things are sure looking better. We have so many new and wonderful friends. Marta and Jan help to remind us where God really is working in our lives. Sometimes I think they’re angels in disguise.

“He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters. He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me.” Psalm 18:16,19We’re all getting baptized next month; me, Rosa, Mama, even Hector! I’ve never seen anyone get baptized before so I’m a little nervous, but Pastor David says there is nothing to worry about. If anyone should know its Pastor David. He’s done this sort of thing a lot. I hope I don’t get water up my nose.

“Not to us, O Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness.” Psalm 115:1

Well, living like a Christian sure can be hard sometimes. I never realized how hard until I became one. Sometimes I just want to wear clothes and jewelry like everyone else, and sometimes I just want to mouth off like everyone else too. On some days I know the only thing that keeps me from being mean to Hector is God!

“For you, O Lord, have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling…” Psalm 116:8

difference in a life. I think its subtle, but even my friends notice. My whole outlook has changed! Even my friends are starting to believe. Praise be to God for the great work he has done. Amen!

God has been very good to us. It is so amazing. I never would’ve guessed that Christ could make so much

Dios le bendigaMy friend

“I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart; before the ‘gods’ I will sing your praise. I will bow down toward your holy temple and will praise your name for your love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things your name and your word. When I called, you answered me.” Psalm 138:1-3