Reina de la Paz

It's been about a month and a half now that a group of women from our church have been visiting Reina de la Paz, here in Salamanca, a state-supported home for teen girls who are pregnant or with young children. These young ladies range in ages from 11 to 19 and there are kids from newborn to age 3. A group of nuns cares for them, helping them finish school, watching their kids while they do it, and teaching them skills to help them find jobs or at least earn some money on their own once they leave. They have given us the opportunity to enter their community every Saturday and provide these young moms with encouragement and the love of Christ. Right now we are talking with them about the promises that God has for us in the Bible and encouraging them to be reminded of these promises as young moms - it is hard enough for me, being married, with all the resources and support in the world to be patient with Noah when he is not being obedient. I just can't imagine how hard it must be for them, when they are tired and overwhelmed by their circumstances. I'm grateful that each of them have been placed there, in safety, where they have some support from each other, those that work there, and even some family when they come to visit. Our goal is to share Jesus with them through reading the Bible, discussion, teaching them praise songs with motions so they can involve their little ones, and teaching them how to care for their children. Just last week, I had the chance to do a little "charla" or health talk about dental hygiene, especially for babies and young children. We gave them all toothbrushes, both for the mamas and the kids, toothpaste, and ideas of how to encourage their kids to brush their teeth. It was fun for me to be in my role of nurse again. (c:

This week, just before Valentine's Day, we shared with them the promise of God's great love for them from Isaiah 54:10 which says:

"For the mountains may depart and the hills removed

but my steadfast love shall not depart from you,

and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,

says the Lord, who has compassion on you."

We encouraged them that while the love we find in this world is not always trustworthy, God's love for us is unwavering, unchanging, and constant. I need that promise just as much as these precious mommies and children do.

This is a very special and fitting ministry for me and it brings me a lot of joy whenever we go. In the time that we have been visiting, we have seen eight young women place their trust in Jesus as their Savior! Five of them on my own birthday - what a gift! It is beautiful to watch them begin trusting God with their lives and those of their kids - and we get to be there to watch it happen, walk along-side them, and encourage them on the way.