The Ages to Come

The home is filling up with people of all ages—from 2 years old to 85—who have found in the Home of Refuge a place to call their own. Read as we share with you some stories of the precious people God has chosen to bring to us. We now have 16 residents: 11 children and 5 elderly, among whom are 3 grandfathers and 2 grandmothers (one being 85!)

Mauro was the first grandpa to enter the home, at 67 years of age. He is paralyzed on the left side of his body, which, along with a head injury, resulted from a rather high fall at some point in Mauro’s past.  The night that Mauro was brought to the home, I (Tony) fed him a meal, helped him get washed up and changed into new, clean pajamas, and carefully assisted him with getting into his brand-new bed for a good night’s rest. “Do you like it here?”, I asked him at that moment. Mauro looked up at me as I tucked the blankets around his body, and he smiled as he answered, “Yes, I do like it here.” There was a look of such relief on his face, but then he asked me a question, with concern in his voice. “How much is all of this going to cost me?” My heart was touched in that moment by the compassion God feels for Mauro. “Nothing.” I replied, “It is a gift from God.” He smiled again and closed his eyes. The next day I enlisted a few workers to assist me with the bigger task of giving Mauro a proper bath. We took layers of dirt off of his skin! We scrubbed and scrubbed until his skin was clean and radiant. I then took him to the barber for a shave and haircut. He now enjoys continued tender loving care here in the home and happily joins in conversation and card games with the other elderly who have since then been added to the family. Mauro told Rosa this past week, “It is like I came from hell and am now living in glory! The place I stayed in before was infected with flies and mosquitos, and the people around me were all mad and selfish.”  Now, because of YOUR giving, Mauro has a new story to tell…one of God’s kindness and compassion.  Thank you for changing Mauro’s life.

Rafael is a little boy that arrived at the orphanage last month. His single-mother has tried to care for her 7 children since the day that their father abandoned the family, but they continue to live in extreme poverty. Rafael is very close to me (Tony), and he knew that our doors would be open to receive him and his siblings, to offer them hope and provision. He considered the opportunities that he would have by living at the orphanage, and when he was ready to make his move, he gathered all of his old toys together, dispersed them to other children, and then announced, “Now, I am going with Señor Tony!”  Rafael is appreciating and noticing the improvements in his life. One rainy day on the way to school Rafael told me, “My brothers are getting wet going to school, and I am dry!” (his brothers must walk to school, while we drive the orphanage children to school in a car). Rafael has a desire to learn the piano, operate the sound system, and work with computers. He adds joy and laughter to our days.

One day we were preparing to conduct a small staff meeting in a room where Rafael was sitting (in the middle of the room). Rosa told Rafael that he must leave the room so that they could conduct the meeting; he smiled and sat back in the chair, declaring, “I am the MAYOR!” We laughed. When I (Tony) arrived at the church early this morning for our devotional time, Rafael was already waiting with all of the lights turned on in the church. He really enjoys being with Rosa and me. Thank you for giving this young boy such opportunities and HOPE through your giving.

God loves lifting people up from places of despair and filling their hearts with JOY in the knowledge of His love. He places the desolate in families and He restores HOPE. Ephesians 2:6-7 tells us that we have been raised up with Christ and seated with Him in heavenly realms “so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.” (NAS). You know, that’s exactly our story! Haven’t we all been rescued, raised up to glorious places, and received immeasurable HOPE and blessing because of God’s LOVE through Christ? Just like the kindness and hope that Mauro and Rafael are receiving from Jesus, which God is using YOU to provide…that all of it may shout out HIS grace…for all ages (young and old) and throughout the ages!

As I close, the obvious bears repeating. As the number of people we are feeding and caring for has multiplied, so has our need for finances. We need help. Will you partner with us, take to the heart the powerful ministry that must continue in the lives of those God is bringing to us, and seek ways to increase your financial involvement? YOUR giving IS what rewrites the story for Mauro, Rafael, and many more. You have an opportunity to change a LIFE… FOREVER!

For His Glory,

Tony and Rosa Rivera

Home of Refuge International, Inc.