They say no one was really sad... even her own family didn’t even try to pretend they were grief stricken...  Not many people went to her wake (In Bolivia, the burial has to take place within 24 hours, so family and friends “accompany” the body for that period of time...)  I didn’t even find out about her death until several days later...

Some people say “it is never too late”…  For “Doña Gorda” (Missus Fat - see photo right) it IS too late... My heart was so sad when I heard about her death...  She lived such a BAD life... and led so many people astray – including her own three children...  She was “mom” to the street kids... who would one hand defend the youngest street kids from the older bullies – yet on the other hand destroy them by selling them glue to sniff...  She’d look after some of the street girls’ babies/toddlers in her rented room – but for price – the girls would sell glue for her.  However, if they ever wanted “out” – she’d charge them an impossible amount for their care – so that they’d keep on selling...  (Several of those girls now study at El Jordán.) 

Doña Gorda’s size alone was enough to be intimidating but she could also be very nasty...  She had some scars across her face (from fights) and I’m sure she left more than her share of scars on others...  I was witness to a soft side to Doña Gorda... she was always kind and respectful to me... making sure that others would do the same...  Years ago, I even travelled 10 hours on train with her to visit her sister and mom for several days...  There was a time, it might have been after she was jailed for selling drugs – that she started selling juice and soup outside her little room...  But... when someone is used to getting easy money, it’s very difficult to be content with working hard – and only earning a small amount...  That’s why God is so necessary... He is the only one who can change our heart... giving us the desire and ability to do His will... and His Word cleanses, guides and keeps us from sin...

Whenever I read 1 Corinthians 1:27-30   (But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him. 30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.)   I wished, prayed, hoped that one day Doña Gorda might come to truly know God, realizing her lostness and need for a Saviour, accepting His gift of forgiveness and a new life...  With all of her negative character and influence on/over so many people, my desire was that one day her life be submitted to and changed by HIM, allowing God to be raised up and praised.  But, as far as I know, she didn’t take that opportunity to be a part of God’s family... and that’s what makes me so sad...

Doña Gorda’s Legacy:    A month or so ago, in a canal under an intersection of the city where about 15 or 20 drug addicts/street kids live (and one 3 year old girl!), I heard some of the younger kids call Miriam/Lidia “Mami”  when they wanted to buy some glue... a title inherited from Doña Gorda...  In another area of the city, Doña Gorda’s two “daughter-in-laws” (Isabel and Gabriela) also sell glue, their young children growing up beside them... just like Doña Gorda’s kids grew up beside her...  Julico, Doña Gorda’s oldest, became a cocaine paste addict when he was a young teen, living in the canals of the city...  No one has heard from him for at least 5 years...  and no one knows if he was washed away in the canal during a torrential downpour, whether he was killed or what might have happened...  Gordo (I can only remember his nickname) has also been a drug addict from very young...     Jorgito was just a little 5 year old when I met him on the streets (see photo left from 1998 - Jorgito is on my lap). For the longest time I had no idea who he belonged to because he just wandered around everywhere and knew everyone...  He was the only one who went to school for a few years anyhow... but when his dad died on the streets about 4 years ago or so, he went downhill...  He must only be about 19 or 20...  has two little kids... and always seems to have a sad look in his eyes... He’s came with his family and Doña Gorda to a couple of our chapels... but never really showed signs of wanting to be different than his family...

Please pray with me for Doña Gorda’s family... and that God would draw them to Himself... Thank you...

“Find rest, O my soul, in God alone;

My hope comes from Him.

He alone is my rock and my salvation;

He is my fortress, I will not be shaken...

Trust in Him at all times, O people;

Pour out your hearts to him,

For God is our refuge.”

Psalm 62:5,6,8

I’ve been meaning to write an update for a while now... on Giovanna, little Jonathan (that was hit by a car), Mery and a few others... but our home came down with coughs, fevers and sore throats... so last week was just about trying to do what really needed to get done!  

Thanks to all of you...

Corina (for Marco and Keiden too)