Over the last few years, some of our ministry staff have begun gathering to share “God moments” they’ve experienced in the course of their work. These sharing times are opportunities to set aside the stresses of fundraising and reflect on how the lives of staff, donors and beneficiaries have been touched in profound ways.
On my first trip to the Diocese of Santa Rosa de Lima, I had no idea what God had in store for me. My simple intent was to learn more about a disaster relief project we’d collaborated on with the Pontifical Council Cor Unum. But God was working behind the scenes to accomplish something much more profound. Though I didn’t know it then, Cross Catholic Outreach was actually in Santa Rosa by divine appointment — and we would soon play a critical role in helping the diocese overcome an incredible challenge.
Cuilapa is a town for the ears. A town of dogs barking, roosters crowing, horns blasting, fireworks bursting, loudspeakers blasting, and upbeat music pumping. It’s also a town of bells—great brass bells that ring loud and long and joyous as street vendors close their food stands and evening draws near.
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. – John 1:5 On my recent trip to Guatemala City, I learned firsthand what life is like for poor children from the toughest parts of town. Gang activity, domestic violence and extreme poverty are daily realities in the infamous area known as Zone 18.
Nothing is more uplifting than seeing the smiling face of a hungry child receiving a nutritious meal, or a mother with tears of joy in her eyes because she knows she’ll be able to feed her family with the bag of food staples she just received.