I am Not Forgotten
Riverside Tree- Misael Huamán Martínez( Cusco, Peru)
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I was born into a Christian family in a small village. Throughout my life, God allowed my family and I to stand firm through our trials. But my faith was challenged when my mom was involved in a car accident and sick for two years. When I saw my mom bed-ridden, I felt God had forgotten about us. I started to question Him.
Through the doubt and pain, my family and I cried out to God. The church supported us with prayer and fasting for a short time, but they eventually abandoned us. My father told us“ We should not lose hope. God will never abandon us, even if our friends leave us.” I wanted to believe it, and little by little, I did. I attended Sunday school since I was child and it was there where I was sponsored by the Children of Jesus ministry. Thanks to this ministry, I was strengthened in my walk with God. The word of God was in my heart and I understood the will of my Father God in every trial.
My growth continued to develop. I volunteered as a Sunday school teacher. Through this, I got to know the ABBA Peru program when we traveled to Lima in 2010. It was incredible to see so many youth. I knew God had chosen me to be his servant. Soon after I became the youth leader at our small church. But my Heavenly Father demanded more of me. I enrolled into the Central University of Cusco so I had to leave my home, family, and the COJ program. I found work in construction in Cusco city. My father worked in the fields and could not support my tuition costs. I did not want to financially burden them. Unfortunately, life needed money. I was living in a foreign city and studying a costly education. I needed money for my rent, travel expenses, study materials, tuition, and food. Sometimes, I would only eat once a day to save money. I wanted to leave my studies and focus on working for money. But my friends and parents urged me to continue my studies. I stayed in school and increased my work hours. But in doing so, I stopped attending church. I thank God for the Children of
Jesus ministry, because it was my absence from church that caused the COJ Peru staff to visit my church and home to ask what happened to me. The staff soon learned I was in Cusco and came to visit me.
I thought the COJ ministry had forgotten about me, but they did not, instead they brought me good news. In 2015, I applied for the Riverside Tree ministry. My family and I prayed to God that He would make everything possible in His time.
It has been a little over a year and God’ s timing is perfect! My prayers were answered. In 2017, I was accepted! I can now study without having to work. I was moved when I heard my scholarship had been approved. In my heart, I said“ Thank you God. You never forgot about me.” I could not believe what was happening. Many people in my life do not remember me, but God does. He was there. Since that first support, the poverty and pity were lifted off my shoulders by an act of love through my Father and sponsor. God filled my heart with joy. Since then, my life has been changed. I left my job and focused more on my studies. During my vacation, I caught up on my studies. My parents support me with their prayers. But they do not need to stress about their finances. They are dedicated to the work of God in my community. My dad visits the small groups and the city council people of Huancahuanca. He also helps the pastor of my home church. I thank God for all the blessings He has done in my life. I write this letter to God, my sponsor, and to everyone in HHK WMC who never forgot about me.
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