We had another slow start to our day, but there were experiences I had today that I wouldn't trade for anything. It seems as if the Lord is guiding us to the places we need to be, and allowing us to take a small glimpse into these people's lives.
The fortitude for life I am experiencing is amazing. Today we had a chance to go around an interview people who have received Mico-credit Loans, help with vocational training, missionary assistance, etc. Their lives would be so much different without this training and help Cause for Hope gives to them.
One of the biggest lessons I learned today was the importance of self-reliance. The day began with a talk from President Marion G. Romney, "The Celestial Nature of Self-reliance." It is an excellent talk to read and share with whomever!
President Romney teaches, "Since the beginning of time man has been counseled to earn his own way, thereby becoming self-reliant... Man cannot become an agent unto himself if he is not self-reliant. Herein we see that independance and self-reliance are critical keys to our spiritual growth."
Our first interview was at a chapel that was more beautiful than any chapel I ever saw in Chile. Benicio Mayorga is a return missionary who is studying accounting and working for the Church. His life has been blessed because he is able to start the process of rising above poverty as a result of going to school. He speaks English and has a wonderful spirit about him. It was such a fun time being in his pressence.
Hno. Jaime Cruz works as both a mechanic and a transporter. There are people who run around in backwards tricycles and take people from place-to-place for about 10-15 cents. He received a loan and was able to get some mechanical training and buy some machinery. Now he has a large contract and is one of the more affluent members.
When I talk about affluent, I am talking about $300-350 a month. That would barely make my car payment... yikes! These people have so few temporal things, but they are so rich in ways that are much more important than that.
We visited a few more people, but the real treat came when we were able to visit with Hno. Wilber Cordoba and his family. There are seven of them, which is probably one of the largest Latin American families I know.
This family was living on 30-40 c's a day. That is the equivalent of 15-20 cents a day... Can you imagine trying to feed a family of seven for 20 cents a day? He broke down as he talked abot how his family was lucky to have one meal a day.
I listened to his two older sons share their experiences and testimony and I saw the future of Nicaragua. It is a bight future full of strong leaders who will have amazing spiritual power. Many of these people have talents, they just don't have a way to realize them, or someone there to point out to them that they can do something that will effect a change in their lives.
The spirit was so thick in that room as they bore testimony of knowing that God will bless them as long as they are obiedient, as they pay tithing first, and of how their faith in the gospel as kept them grounded. This is certainly a special family who the Lord is watching over and helping to grow in the gospel.
Their change came because this brother was able to get a job with the Church and received a loan to help him get transportation. They were barely making it as is, but they took a leap of faith and asked for help from CFH. Their lives have completely changed for the better.
Today was a testimony to me that being self-reliant is so important, not only for your physical mind, but for your spiritual self. When we are able to concentrate on the spiritual, we are greatly increased. But when we are dependant on something, it destroys is little by little.
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