Fortunato

Another story of redemption and of satan’s works destroyed by God’s goodness; this is Fortunato’s story, and we are happy to share it with you.

The utterance of his name declares three powerful descriptives—“blessed, fortunate, happy”. For one so called, life sure has looked contrary. He is deaf. He is mute. He has no known family, making it difficult to verify his presumed age of 80 years old. But none of that changes what has been spoken over him for a lifetime by God’s design: “FORTUNATO”.

In his younger years, Fortunato was a very strong and hard worker, 2 qualities that landed him a lot of jobs working in the fields. However, time and time again people took advantage of his disabilities and cheated him out of the salary he would work long hours to earn. “Fortunato” didn’t look very fortunate or blessed during these years of injustice, struggling to survive. But none of that changes what has been spoken over him for a lifetime by God’s design: “FORTUNATO”.

Stress and “life” have taken their toll on Fortunato’s aging body. Now no longer able to work hard, Fortunato has no means of providing for himself. In fact, he struggles to walk, and only does so very slowly with the aid of 2 canes. An elderly couple has taken pity on him in his latter years, and they were doing their best to care for him prior to his arrival to the Home of Refuge. When they felt they could no longer help him, they didn’t want to just cast him out on the streets. They approached the local authorities and asked for help in finding him a proper home. Very soon thereafter, I (Tony), accompanied by a city official, went to pick Fortunato up and bring him to the Home of Refuge. Fortunato was outside the elderly couple’s home when I arrived with the official. He saw me, hobbled past me into the little house, and emerged with a small, packed bag containing all of his clothes; he was ready for the new adventure!

What Fortunato expected in coming with me, I do not know; I can only imagine he resolved to make the best of whatever situation lie ahead, having no where else to turn. But what he has encountered in coming with me, I can tell you lines up with what has been spoken over him for a lifetime by God’s design: “FORTUNATO”.

He is daily surrounded by children at the Home who eagerly crawl into his lap and very much enjoy his company! They laugh with him as he makes believe he is playing a musical instrument (My! What a stick can become) while they sit with him in his chair.

He is a very happy man. He is a very blessed man. At roughly 80 years old, now surrounded by life and laughter, love and tender care, he is experiencing the joyful fruition of what has been spoken over him for a lifetime by God’s design: “FORTUNATO”.

Thank you for helping us provide him and the other residents this JOY. Your giving makes it possible.

All the children are doing well. They are very excited about Christmas this year (as are the elderly) because we have promised them a Christmas tree. This is HUGE for them because they have NEVER had one in all of their years. Please let that sink in for a moment. You cannot imagine the anticipation and the hope that this ministry is brining to the lives of those who have not experienced the simplest of pleasures and provisions we take for granted. YOUR GIVING is what enables us to help them, and WE NEED YOUR HELP this month in a big way.

We plan on serving a Christmas dinner and giving toys and clothing to the children and elderly; we desire to also give toys to the church children.

Will you help us with the finances necessary to host a Christmas dinner, complete with presents? What better way is there to celebrate and proclaim the birth of Christ than to honor HIM with a banquet for the least of these, the very ones He came to seek and save?

Finally, the following ongoing needs remain, for which we ask your help:

1. We must finish the fence PROJECT and the laundry room. The laundry room is nearly done but still needs a few items, as well as the washer and dryer. This is Peru’s rainy season, and it is very cold. Sometimes we run out of dry clothes, since we have limited clothing for our residents and we struggle to get laundry washed and dried without the help of machines (or sun during the rainy season!). It is very challenging. Your giving will GREATLY help us here.

2. Please pray for Rosa and me to have wisdom and strength to continue doing this work, which is a calling not everyone at our age is able to fulfill. We need each of you—your prayer and your support—and we value your partnership. Your involvement really matters to us, and it encourages our hearts as we persevere.

I, Tony, will remain with the children here in Peru during the month of December, including Christmas and New Years. Even though absent from my own family in the States, I hope to make this a beautiful time for the children and elderly here in Peru who look to us as their family. I pray your time with your loved ones is a blessed time of worship and reflection on all God has done for you. Perhaps (for some of you) circumstances this year haven’t looked the best in your life; maybe this has been a year of challenges or unexpected pain. Remember Fortunato. There are times in life when we continue speaking TRUTH and GOD’S WORD OVER OUR LIVES by faith, regardless of how much our circumstances appear to contradict what we have been promised. In those seasons, we have to remember: if we just don’t quit, we win…because He is GOOD and His Word will come to pass.  Remain steadfast in the Faith, my friends…and have a very Merry Christmas.

Blessed, Fortunate, and Happy,

Tony and Rosa Rivera Rivera

Home of Refuge International, Inc.