We are happy to announce that Paola graduated high school! She is very pleased with herself especially since she had a big hurdle to overcome toward the end of her studies. We learned that she was pregnant. She was hiding it from us in shame because she nor the family knew how we would respond. It was a great opportunity to love her and let her know that despite the circumstances that caused her to have the baby, God always celebrates new life, because He creates it!

In talking with her we discovered that her school would allow her to continue taking classes and even participate in her practicum so she could graduate this year. In asking her questions to make sure she was getting prenatal care, we found out that she was not. In the process of us scheduling an appointment to get her seen by a doctor to make sure the baby was developing properly; she went into labor!

Click Here to watch Fidel holding Dara Jimena

In other news, Juan is working again. He found work as a bus attendant and it was steady, so he took it even though it is dangerous. Buses are often influenced and controlled by the area’s gangs. Sometimes bus drivers and attendants are subject to violence as a result. Unfortunately, because the buses run all week long, Juan has not been able to attend school and decided to drop out so he could work and provide for his family. This is a situation we have encountered before. A working-age male who can find a steady job will often opt to work for minimum wage or less instead of attending school for a few more years to get a better job. We applaud their willingness to work hard and provide but it’s also hard to help them understand the importance of a good education. What doesn’t help is that even kids graduating high school this year (Juan was trying to finish middle school at the age of 21) struggle to find steady work.

Please continue to pray for this family and that God would give them wisdom for their lives as He knows what is best for them.  Also, that He would guide us as we continue to minister to them.