Maria Teresa Caballeros. That is the name of a small community of 150 homes built into the side of a steep hill overlooking a deep ravine. They told us we were going to the “ghetto”, but once we visited this incredible place, that word just did not seem to accurately describe the spirit of the people we met there. We were told a Juanita would be meeting us there to guide us, president of the community. What we did not know at the time was that Juanita was a woman of short stature, a mother of 8 children, president of a community of impoverished people living in precarious living conditions, and our bodyguard. As long as she was with us, we were told no harm would come to us. She is that respected.
I could spend thousands of words describing what we saw, the incredible poverty, the lack of toys, beds and basic supplies. But I know that you, the reader, would have a similar response that I have had in the past when reading descriptions of the living conditions of people such as this. It is difficult to grasp the enormity of it all when you are simply reading words in black and white that somehow attempt to grasp the feel, the smell, the sights of families struggling to survive a life of extremes and deprivation. So instead, I will sum up a few of our experiences there in bullet points that will hopefully give you just a taste of this amazing community…..and then, you will just have to return to Guatemala with me to see it for yourself.
~Every family, without fail, when asked what they would like us to pray for, asked for one retaining wall. This is the only thing that saves some of the homes from being swept away by mud slides. One retaining wall. That, and the health of their children who are constantly sick due to the leaking, drafty homes they must live in.
~One picture above is of the newest and one of the nicest homes in the community, made of shiny new tin. They family was so thrilled to be living in their new home, donated by our partner organization. Cost? About $1,200. That is what it costs to give one of these families a shiny new home.
~One woman’s home had large holes and gaps all over the tin surrounding her home. As the sunlight streamed in through the leaks, we commented how beautiful it looked. She replied in Spanish, “Yes, those are my stars!”
~One woman who walks and travels for hours each day to a domestic job and who raised 4 kids for 14 years in her tiny home in this community with one bed, asked for only one thing for prayer. She wept as she said she desired to help other women and children and minister to them and she simply didn’t know how God could use her. She didn’t ask for more food, more clothing, a better job. She asked for God to show her how she could help others.
~Juanita’s (president of the community) husband shook our hands vigorously as we all stood under enormous evergreen trees while children from the community ran all around us. He told us this was our home. He said the door would be open to us at all times and that no one would ever bother us while we were there and if someone did, he stated firmly they would handle it for us. He thanked us for our friendship and asked us to please come back any time.
~Juanita. What do I say about a tiny woman with 8 children who has given her life to creating a community for people who were so poor they built tiny shacks of plastic and cardboard on the side of a cliff, hoping for some kind of home for their family? What do I say about a woman who has carried huge sacks of concrete mix, along with other members of the community, down unbelievably steep hills and helped build walking paths, step, a park and play area with her bare hands? What do I say about a woman who walked for miles carrying stacks and stacks of documents when she was more than 8 months pregnant to make sure electricity would reach each home hanging on the side of the cliff? And after we heard all of her stories, after she walked us through the homes and helped to pass out the donations of food and supplies to those who were in greatest need, after we saw her organize, inspire, and lead all of the people of her community to make something out of nothing, she broke down and wept and told us she just didn’t know how God could ever use her. She didn’t feel like she was worthy of leading anyone and felt like she had not done enough. What words do you use to describe such a sacrificial, loving, and humble heart?
Leaving the community, Juanita walked us back up the steep roads, through the entrance and guided us back to our car. We were safe because this little woman was with us. Driving away, the view of the volcano was breathtaking. So much beauty against so much struggle. It was the constant theme of our travels in Guatemala. People who have so little and yet attempt to do such great things. Communities who find beauty and strength in the midst of hardship and depravation. Such heroes in the midst of such struggle. I will carry those tears in my heart for a long, long time. And I will return to visit my new home.
