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Valentina

Sponsor:  deepStream guatemala

 

 

One day as we were hanging out with Valentina's daughter, Timotea, an 89 year old, absolutely precious woman walked up.  She had long gray hair, and was dressed in her brightly colored Guatemalan native clothing.  She did not wear any shoes, and her feet reflected layer upon layer of a long, difficult life.

 

Turns out, Valentina is Timotea’s mom.  Also widowed, she lives with one of her grandson’s in an old swiss house that was built by Swedish missionaries over 40 years ago.  The foundation of the home is “adobe” which is a form of packed mud.  She showed us how the home is falling apart, and expressed that she was scared to live in it b/c she thought it was going to collapse.

 

As we got to know Valentina more, we could see where Timotea got her spunky attitude!  But she is very sweet and always enjoys to visit.  Amazingly, especially based on Guatemala statistics, she seems to be in great health.  Her hearing and comprehension is right on the money, and she frequently surprises us with her wit and sarcasm.

 

Since we only had one sponsor, we tried to talk to Valentina and Timotea about sharing a home.  After all, the standard 12x12 LP home has 2 large rooms and we could completely separate the 2 with their own doors to the outside porch.  Timotea was ok with the idea, but Valentina wanted no part of it.  When we asked “why” she would only say “I’m not going to be in anyone’s way and I don’t want to leave my land.”  Humorously, her land is only 15ft away from Timotea’s!

 

One day I was talking to her 20yr old great granddaughter Wendy, who is also Timotea’s granddaughter.  I was explaining that we only had enough money to do one home, and asking her what she thought.   Wendy replied “if you can only do one home, I would suggest doing Timotea’s.  Her situation is worse.”

 

Suddenly Valentina came around the corner and spouted off “I heard what you said.”  Wendy and I looked at each other with sort of an "uh-oh" look on our faces.  Then Valentina continued: “And I totally agree.  If you can only build one, build one for my daughter – she needs it more than I do.”

 

My heart broke, and I decided right then that we would figure out a way to build them both a home – no matter what.

 

What a blessing to be able to carry out the command to take care of the widows. 

 


pictures of valentina & her home