It has been such a pleasure sharing stories of thanksgiving from our field staff this year as part of the Compassion Prayer Network’s focus on gratitude. The stories have ranged from personal stories of how God is at work to ways our staff is seeing amazing things happen in spite of tremendously difficult times.
This month, I want you to meet Lidia, who works in public relations in our Compassion Guatemala office. Lidia shared with us the story of a Guatemalan family — Elfego, a Compassion-assisted child, and his mother, Amelia. Lidia’s letter beautifully weaves together the disaster and the hope that Elfego and his family faced. I hope you find encouragement in this story and that it reminds you to look for the hope in the midst of difficult circumstances.
Hear from Lidia …
Dear Prayer Partners,
I want to share with you a story that motivated my deep gratitude to God for orchestrating the effort of sponsors, Compassion International and the church to be the answer that children and families need in times of crisis.
I learned the story of Elfego, who is 9 years old. He is the son of Amelia, a single mother. They lived together in a community in Cobán, Alta Verapaz, Guatemala. Her community was one of those that suffered the greatest impact of the tropical depressions Eta and Iota in November 2020. Amelia works cleaning houses in another area of Cobán, and on the day Eta struck her community, she had decided to take Elfego with her.
Although they were able to take shelter from the heavy rains, when they tried to return to their house, Amelia and Elfego saw that it had been covered by water. The few belongings they had were missing or floating in the dark, smelly water.
The team of the partner church to which Elfego belongs were monitoring the situation of beneficiaries in affected areas. After learning about the situation of Elfego and his mother, the volunteers organized to rent a room, provide them with food, clothing, a stove and other basic utensils.
Although the situation they face is difficult, Elfego’s mother does not hesitate to admit: “Without the support of the church, this experience would be worse. I can’t imagine how we would be if Elfego wasn’t a sponsored child.”
I thank God for bringing together the players who illuminate with hope the darkest moments in the lives of the beneficiaries.
Lidia Beteta de Corado
PR Specialist, Compassion Guatemala
I hope Elfego’s story and Lidia’s words remind you that this past year has been filled with God’s people stepping forward and helping. I pray that you have seen this in your own life — and have been able to be that agent of change in the lives of others. We also want to invite you to share your own story of gratitude and praise with us on our virtual Gratitude Wall today!
