A Dream for Luis
He was 26 years old—a simple man with a simple love for God—and he had a dream in his heart: to care for orphaned boys and give them a place to call home. How was he ever going to do that? He was not wealthy. He was not talented. He was not special by any standards of this world. But he loved God. He believed God. And his God spoke to the wealthy, and the talented, and the people of the Kingdom of God…and the money came in! The home was built! Today he still serves orphans, and the home that was built has been “home” to orphan boys now for 49 years. He has given his life to the work of God, to fulfill a dream that couldn’t be extinguished…and that still burns brightly in his soul. That man is Luis…the director of the Santa Maria 
Children’s Home in Peru that we help every month.
There was another man: he was 54 years old—a simple man with a simple love for God—and he had a dream in his heart: to rescue the orphaned children (the “discards of society” as he was told) and give them a place to call home. How was he ever going to do that? He was not wealthy. He was not talented. He was not special by any standards of this world. But he loved God. He believed God. And his God spoke to the wealthy, and the talented, and the people of the Kingdom of God…and the money came in! The home was built! In fact, more than one home was built, and he is still serving orphans today. He has given the last 18 years of his life to this work of God, to fulfill a dream that couldn’t be extinguished…and that still burns brightly in his soul. In case you haven’t heard the history before…I, Tony, am that man.
Two different stories, two different men, ONE common dream, and ONE common God. I (Tony) am currently in Peru while this newsletter is being written, and my heart is touched deeply as I watch Luis confined to his room, lying ill in his bed. His liver is not functioning properly, and he has sores in various places on his body. But his dream is still very much ALIVE. He dreams of another home—one yet to be built—that will house more orphans and bring greater joy to needy children Jesus cares for deeply. The site of the future home is on their current property, directly across from the orphanage offices. The dirt for fill has already been donated and the land prepared. But construction seems a long time in coming.
It reminds me of Moses. He had spent a lifetime journeying towards a promised land. He knew that his successor, Joshua, would take the Israelites into the Promised Land, but still God, in His great kindness, granted Moses the chance to view the land with his own eyes. Simeon, the old prophet we see in Luke 2, has been on the scene for quite some time in Israel, laboring in prayer for the generations to come, when God reveals to him His coming salvation, and then grants Simeon the blessedness of seeing with his own eyes the Christ child. We can hear the satisfaction of his soul in his response, “Now, Lord, You are releasing your bond-servant to depart in peace…”
Luis said to me this week, “I am going to die, and I am not going to see the new home built.” My heart hurt when his words hit my ears. I know what it is to ache in my heart to provide for suffering children. I feel the urgency to see this home built in his lifetime…and in mine. “One more home before we leave…” That is our dream. That is our prayer. And I believe the same God who built the first homes we dreamt of will speak to the rich, the talented, and those who love His Son, so that this last home, too, will be built. I pray God grants Luis the chance to see it with his own eyes before he departs in peace.
Thank you again to all who gave money this past month or two for the children’s Christmas. On January 6, 2014 they celebrated the 49-year anniversary since the Santa Maria Children’s Home opened…and every child was dressed in new clothes and new shoes for the occasion! Because of your giving, that was a reality.
When I first landed in Peru this week, I decided to go immediately to a store to purchase cake and ice cream so that I could have them with me when I arrived at the orphanage. It really touched me deeply to see the scene when I reached Santa Maria’s. The children were seated at the tables, with only a small amount of soup to be shared among them for dinner. The desserts and sodas turned a meager meal into quite the feast for these happy children! What a satisfaction to put such smiles on their faces. The next day I filled up their pantry, which was by this time extremely low. There was no real food to speak of for feeding these children, at least not until I bought them fresh supplies with the money you have provided. Thank YOU!
Rosa was unable to travel to Peru with me this time, and she was dearly missed! The first question I heard from multiple children was, “Where’s Rosa?” They truly love her. Please continue to pray for Rosa’s healing; she still experiences ongoing pain of the shoulder. We believe for a manifestation of the power of GOD in her body. Join us in praying, will you? The children are in their summer vacation from school, and tomorrow Vacation Bible School begins. For them, having the chance to hear of God’s love, to eat every day, to have medical attention, to wear clothes and shoes, to run, to play, to laugh…it is like a dream. And it is a dream…for more than just the children. It is a dream for a now-75-year-old man who lies ill on a bed, still dreaming of yet another structure—a place more children will finally be able to claim as “home.” Will you pray with us and ask the Father to supply for this dream to become a reality?
Gratefully,
Tony and Rosa Rivera
Home of Refuge
International
