PERU – There was nothing special about María’s house in San José de Iquitos that would draw attention to it. Like its neighbors, the crumbling wooden structure sat on tall stilts to protect it from the floodwaters of the Amazon River during the rainy season. An odd patchwork of faded fabrics and plastic hung in place to block the wind and rain from entering and doing further damage, but it barely did its job. The home was not a safe place to live. Through your generosity, you blessed a family in Peru by giving them a chance at a better life.
At 19, María already had her hands full. The oldest of five siblings, she had taken on the responsibility of caring for them after their mother died and their father left. “We have no support from anyone except ourselves. My siblings are my family, and family should never be abandoned,” she said. Her only option was to take over her mother’s business of selling medicinal plants at a local market.
Every day, she got up early to sell a range of plants, barks, and resins. María worked hard, but it wasn’t enough to provide three meals a day for her siblings. “I wish I could save from my business,” she said, “but I can’t because everything I earn goes to cover our food.”
The Blessing of a New Home
When Operation Blessing heard about this young family, you generously made it possible for us to reach out to help in a number of critical ways. First, you blessed a family in Peru by providing them a new, safe, and fully equipped home with sturdy furniture and bright colors.
Then, you helped give María vital equipment and supplies for her medicinal plants business—a wooden table, shelving, plastic bottles, raffia rope, and much more—all to make her business more efficient and effective.
Through your support, we also provided the family with information about good hygiene, disease prevention, and the importance of drinking only safe water. They were delighted to receive necessary hygiene supplies like toothpaste, toothbrushes, hand soap, and rubbing alcohol.
You blessed a family in Peru with hope and security, and María couldn’t have been more appreciative. “We are very grateful for the help with our home and everything that God gave us. I thank Operation Blessing and the donors who supported us,” she said. “We used to get wet inside the house—but now we have this beautiful and safe home.”
Thanks for helping keep this sweet family together—and for offering them the promise of a better tomorrow.
