Delivering food, shelter, and hope to the poorest of the poor
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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.
Tomorrow we celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. It was more than 500 years ago that the Mother of our Lord appeared to Juan Diego on his way to attend a Mass outside Mexico City. Standing in a radiant cloud, she looked like a beautiful Aztec princess; and in his own language she implored Juan to ask his bishop to build a chapel where she stood.
Jonas was only five when he came to Amenacer, a home for street kids in Bolivia. Now age eleven, he recently celebrated his First Communion. He said, “Amenacer has taught me to believe in one God who is the Father of all, and in His Son Jesus who makes us free.
In the rural community of La Patilla, a Dominican boy catches a handful of clean, refreshing water from the new aqueduct system provided by Cross Catholic Outreach and the Diocese of San Juan de la Maguana.
Meet Sebastian! He’s a 2nd grade student at La Buena Esperanza, a Catholic-run primary school that’s been partnering with Cross Catholic Outreach to serve very poor families in the dusty shantytown of Villa El Salvador, Peru.
This is Sister Mayra Lopez. She’s the director of St. Vincent de Paul Orphanage in Quito, Ecuador. The precious baby in her arms is Estefania.