From Empty to Full

07 Jun

From Empty to Full

How an abused orphan in Guatemala learned what it feels like to belong

We met Yolanda last year and were blessed by her sweet spirit

Yolanda’s father died when she was only four years old, and her childhood in Guatemala was extremely difficult as a result. Even though she was very young, she remembers feeling empty and alone after he was gone, especially when her mom began physically abusing her. After suffering at her mother’s hands for three years, Yolanda was rescued and placed in an orphanage called “Jesus Christ Is My House.” It took Yolanda a long time to adjust to living there due to the persistent emptiness inside her, which had been growing ever since her father’s death. When she was 15, Yolanda received the news that her mother had also passed away.

“Even though she abused me horribly,” Yolanda said, “I still loved her and was very heartbroken when I got the news. To bury the pain, I started to act rebellious and then ultimately decided to run away. I continued that same pattern until I was 18. I had no place to go and no one to help me. I was terrified.”

When Yolanda found out about our Victims of Sexual Violence Ministry partner’s home for girls who have aged out of orphanages, she had her doubts, but she went for the initial interview anyway.

“I realized that this was a place to help girls just like me. I have been here for thirteen months, and I have learned so much. For the first time, I have hope that I can have a brighter future than I thought possible. But there is something else—for the first time in my life, I have gotten to experience what it means to be a part of a real family. Because of this, I now feel loved, cared for, protected, and cherished. I had no idea it could be this way for me! I am so grateful to God for giving me the opportunity to move forward in a place where God is the most important thing.“

Yolanda is part of a family for the first time in her life!

Thank you for making it possible for Yolanda to finish her education and prepare for her adult life in Guatemala. Instead of being targeted for sexual abuse or human trafficking, she is learning about God and growing in Him. As she completes her studies in an atmosphere of safety and love, her once empty heart is now full!

You are so appreciated,

Burt and Patty