Transcript Document

Stories of Life
What difference can Christ make?
What difference Christ can make!
“The Earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all
who live in it:” Psalm 24:1
Growing up here
can cause one to
overlook the
immense beauty.
Sometimes I was
so hungry that I
never saw the
glorious works of
the Lord always
laid out before me.
“Guard my life and rescue me; let me not be put to shame, for I take
refuge in you.” Psalm 25:20
Jesus, hmm…now that’s a
popular name, but really what
could Christ possible offer to
me? Could he feed my little
sister? Could he help my mother
find work? Could he just find my
father? Could he make me
beautiful, so that when I’m in
the city the rich girls wouldn’t
sneer and turn away because of
my old worn and tattered
clothes?
“Hear this, all you peoples; listen, all who live in this world, both low and
high, rich and poor alike:” Psalm 49:1-2
Sometimes we would go to
the city. We were there to
pick up money that Uncle
Juan had sent us from the
States. The gringos were
everywhere with their white
skin, gold jewelry, and
pockets full of money.
Sometimes Rosa would ask
them for money when
Mama wasn’t looking.
Usually they would just
shoo her away.
“Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in his ways. You will eat
the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours.”
Psalm 128:1-2
It seemed so silly,
people spending
money for coconuts.
Why they grow right
next to our house! I
suppose the big city
people forget what its
like in the country.
Well, at least it’s a job
and at least the
vender will have
something to take
home to his family.
“How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord Almighty! My soul yearns,
even faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for
the living God.” Psalm 84:1-2
The flowers were
always so beautiful!
On TV, women were
always getting
flowers from
handsome men. I
used to wonder if
anyone would ever
buy me flowers one
day, but daydreams
don’t amount to much
when you wear the
same clothes for days
on end.
“They asked, and he brought them quail and satisfied them with the
bread of heaven.” Psalm 105:40
Mama always took pride when we
walked through the produce
markets. She had a way with the
fruits of the earth. She always
knew what was ripe and good and
when the merchants were trying
to swindle us. She would never
be taken in and would always
barter her way to the best deal for
her money. She had a knack for
always choosing the sweetest,
most delicious pineapple in the
bunch. Mmmm…I can still taste
them on my lips.
“My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips
my mouth will praise you.” Psalm 63:5
One day we had
guests. Mama made a
meal like none other
we had ever had! I
knew these strangers
from the States had to
be important for us to
eat like that! Mama
said they came to talk
about Jesucristo, I
didn’t really care. I
just wondered if they
knew Uncle Juan.
“Do good, O Lord, to those who are good, to those who are upright in
heart.” Psalm 125:4
Dishes! There are always
dishes! Where is Rosa when
I need help?!? Someday I’m
going to live in a big house
with running water and glass
windows and I’m even going
to have electricity that
works. I’ll even hire
someone else to wash the
dishes for me. Ahhh, I
wonder if someday will ever
arrive, well until it does, I’m
stuck here doing dishes.
“Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord
his God, the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea and everything in
them—it is the Lord who remains faithful forever.” Psalm 146:6
The heat, the
boredom, the
monotony are nearly
unbearable at times.
There is this church in
town; they’re
planning baseball
games and volleyball
games. Who ever
heard of a church
playing games? What
kind of religion is
that?
“Many, O Lord my God, are the wonders you have done. The things
you planned for us no one can recount to you;” Psalm 40:5
Baseball! Who
would’ve thought? A
church leading over
60 boys while they
play baseball! Hector
told me that they
didn’t even make him
pray or anything. He
wasn’t allowed to
swear, but his mama
don’t like swearing
anyway. Those
church folk, they sure
are strange.
“When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and
the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful
of him, the son of man that you care for him?” Psalm 8:3-4
I had to get away.
Mama keeps talking
about those
strangers and that
church. I have a
secret spot, under
my tree, where I can
be alone and look
over the valley and
think. What do
those strangers have that I don’t? Sure, life’s not the
greatest, but why do we have to change anything? Why
can’t Mama just be happy with me and Rosa. I like the
way things are.
“Deliver me and rescue me from the hands of foreigners whose mouths
are full of lies, whose right hands are deceitful.” Psalm 144:11
Those gringos are
back. They can’t even
speak our language!
Why should I bother
listening to anything
they say?!? Maria
brought them around.
I trust Maria. She may
be the pastor’s wife,
but she’d never lie to
us. Maria really cares
and always listens. If
Maria likes ‘em I guess
I could try.
“He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not
slumber; indeed he will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord watches
over you—the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not
harm you by day, nor the moon by night.” Psalm 121:3-6
I’m still not sure about
listening to those
strangers, but really
what do I have to
lose? There isn’t
anything left for them
to take, everything is
so bare. I guess I’ll
go, what could it hurt?
Rosa keeps bugging
me anyway. Yeah, I’d
better go, Rosa needs
someone to look out
for her.
“Teach me, O Lord. Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve
my life according to your word. Take away the disgrace I dread, for your
laws are good.” Psalm 119:33,37,39
There were already
a lot of people there
when we arrived. I
couldn’t believe that
so many kids really
wanted to listen to
what these people
had to say. There
were even quite a
few adults there as
well. Some were
even moved to
tears.
“O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have
set your glory above the heavens. From the lips of children and infants
you have ordained praise.” Psalm 8:1-2
Well, we had a lot of
fun, but don’t tell
anyone. Those
Americans sure can
be funny sometimes
We sang and we
laughed and
laughed. We didn’t
pay too close
attention to the
adults. We got told to settle down a couple of times. We
really did have a good time. Some girls taught us the
silliest song I’d ever heard. Dumdum dada……or
something like that anyway.
“Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the
Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain.”
Psalm 127:1
Sure, you go to one
little meeting, have
a good time, tell
them you believe in
Christ and now they
expect you to work
for them! Well you
can count me out!
“Rosa, where are
you going?”
“What?” “You
can’t…don’t…ahh
wait for me!”
“I rejoiced with those who said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord.’
Our feet are standing in your gates, O Jerusalem.” Psalm 122:1-2
Its almost like a
fiesta! Except for
the hard work part,
but you’d never
guess to look at
them or talk to
them. These
Christians, they’re
different than the
ones I’ve met
before. They pray,
and laugh, and joke
even while they
work!
“Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to
their cry.” Psalm 34:11,15
While the others
worked on building a
new church, they say
they need more room
with all the people
showing up, we got
to sing songs, read
scripture, play games
and we even got to
act out what we
wanted to do when
we grew up. I want
to be a singer. It was
a great day!
“I will allow no sleep to my eyes, no slumber to my eyelids, till I find a
place for the Lord, a dwelling for the Mighty One of Jacob.”
Psalm 132:4-5
Wow, it seems as
though they’ve
been working
forever! But you
know, no one
seems to mind.
Sometimes they
disagree, but they
work it out. They
say they are
‘building a house
for the Lord’
whatever that
means.
“God sets the lonely in families, he leads forth the prisoners with
singing.” Psalm 68:6
Mama went to the
city. She said she
couldn’t take us,
but a family in
San Juan offered
to watch us. It’s
a church family.
They seem pretty
nice. Maybe if I
let Jan look at my
picture book
she’ll braid my
hair. She better
not hurt my book.
“You answer us with awesome deeds of righteousness, O God our
Savior, who stilled the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, and
the turmoil of the nations.” Psalm 65:5,7
Mama came back
and I didn’t want to
leave. Jan didn’t
even ask to see my
book. She said she
braided my hair just
because we are
friends and sisters in
Christ. I showed her
my book anyway.
We went for a walk along the coast. Jan told me that God
made all of this, just for us, just to say, “I love you.” I
think I love Jan, I wouldn’t mind if she really was my
sister.
“Praise the Lord from the earth, young men and maidens, old men and
children. Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is
exalted, his splendor above the earth and the heavens.” Psalm 148:7,12-13
More games! I’ve never known
church people to play so many
games! Luis says its because
the gringos don’t have to talk
when they play. Sometimes I
think he’s right. But you know
we can communicate without
words too. When I really look I
can hear their eyes saying, “I
love you.” Maybe that’s the
way it is when Jan looks at the
ocean and can hear God
speaking to her.
“May your unfailing love come to me, O Lord, your salvation according
to your promise; for I trust in your word.” Psalm 119:41-42
Jan told me that
Jesucristo really is
God’s son and that
he died on a cross,
for me, so I could live
with God forever.
Why would anyone
do that? Sometimes
I give up my
plantains for Rosa,
because I love her. But who would die for someone else,
someone they didn’t even know? Jan says that God does
know us, and that he loves us even more than I love Rosa.
“You hem me in—behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me. Where can I
go from your Spirit: Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens,
you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there; even there your hand will
guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.” Psalm 139:7-8,10
I believe what Jan
told me. I really
believe it! Now I
know what Mama
was talking about.
It doesn’t hurt to
change. Well, it
hurts a little, but it’s
a good hurt. I have
tell Rosa, she has to
hear all about Christ
too. I’ll take her to
my secret tree so we
can talk without
Mama being so
nosey.
“Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your
heart.” Psalm 37:3-4
Guess what?!? Rosa
believes too!!! She
says she believed
even before I did.
I’m not so sure, but I
don’t think it really
matters. One of the
men at church
needed his laundry
done, so Mama’s been
washing for him. She’s even picked up a few more
customers. The pastor is looking to find us all bibles of
our own. Jan promised to help me read mine.
“I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.
My soul will boast in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify
the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together.” Psalm 34:1-3
Well, life certainly isn’t
a piece of cake just
because we became
Christians, but things
are sure looking
better. We have so
many new and
wonderful friends.
Marta and Jan help to
remind us where God
really is working in our
lives. Sometimes I
think they’re angels in
disguise.
“He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of
deep waters. He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me
because he delighted in me.” Psalm 18:16,19
We’re all getting
baptized next
month; me, Rosa,
Mama, even Hector!
I’ve never seen
anyone get
baptized before so
I’m a little nervous,
but Pastor David
says there is
nothing to worry
about. If anyone should know its Pastor David. He’s done
this sort of thing a lot. I hope I don’t get water up my
“Not to us, O Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of
your love and faithfulness.” Psalm 115:1
Well, living like a
Christian sure can be
hard sometimes. I never
realized how hard until I
became one. Sometimes
I just want to wear
clothes and jewelry like
everyone else, and
sometimes I just want to
mouth off like everyone
else too. On some days I
know the only thing that
keeps me from being
mean to Hector is God!
“For you, O Lord, have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from
tears, my feet from stumbling…” Psalm 116:8
God has been very good to us. It is so amazing. I never
would’ve guessed that Christ could make so much
difference in a life.
I think its subtle,
but even my
friends notice. My
whole outlook has
changed! Even
my friends are
starting to
believe. Praise be
to God for the
great work he has
done. Amen!
“I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart; before the ‘gods’ I will sing your praise. I
will bow down toward your holy temple and will praise your name for your love and
your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things your name and your word.
When I called, you answered me.” Psalm 138:1-3
Dios le bendiga
My friend