Shakira's Story

I went to Shakira's house today. Similar story. Her dad left her mom for another woman. Shakira and her mom live in an adobe structure built in the courtyard of her dad's parents' house. They use a bucket for the bathroom. Sometimes Shakira is locked in this one room house for hours so that her mom can run errands, take a walk, get away. She has no support or help. Her older son is 20 and has abandoned the family. Her in-laws are forcing her out of the adobe structure, and off their property since their son is no longer living in the "house" with them. She had to give up selling food on the street (the hot dog cart is a piece of furniture in their house) and now cleans a house and cooks for a family while Shakira is in school. She is able to make 200 soles/ month ($60), and this is to provide food, shelter, clothing, school supplies, etc for both her and Shakira.

My friend CJ asked me to identify my stars in Peru. This is in reference to 2 scriptures. The first is Genesis 15:1-6, which tells of Abraham being promised descendants that outnumber the sky. The second is in Hebrews 11: 1-3, 8-16, which tells of the people who didn't see God's promises, but followed His direction any way. It reminds me of these children. Their only hope for the future is God's promise to take care of them-- the resources aren't there. There is no sign that the resources will come to Cusco before the children require them.

My stars, between Vivian and Shakira are their mothers. They both wept as we discussed the future for their children. There truly are no resources. The resources are what is so far, but today, I looked Shakira's mom in the eye and told her that they are coming. There are already the resources in Lima, and in the U.S., and when Shakira needs to work and to live without her-- it will be provided. I don't know about it. I hope God gave me those words. But their mothers both are fighters. They've fought for 10 years against the health care system, school system, municipal system, and the challenges of raising a child with autism-- alone. And their child has become their life. If I understand correctly, the stars are our hope for promises fulfilled. And, if God's promise through me (of a hope for the future) is to be, the vessel will be their mothers, and those that take up a shield to battle the devastating nature of Cusco.

We flipped through Shakira's family photo album. The last page was a picture of me and Shakira that I printed out for her last year. Humbling to be part of the family.