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What A Difference A Year Makes
Article Dated : Tuesday, 15 Jun 2010 07:41
Base : YWAM San Diego/Baja
When we first met the Ramos Silva family, it was by coincidence.
A group had just finished building a home for another family in need and during the dedication ceremony there was a distinct "mewing" noise that kept drifting over from the Ramos Silva's fence. It turns out it wasn't a cat, but tiny day-old puppies, guarded by a ferociously loyal Rottweiler mama. We admired the puppies from afar (valuing our lives) and commented on how cute they were.
This family of nine was living in a two-room shack built with slats of wood over a dirt floor. An open stove made out of an oil drum filled one corner of the kitchen; a maze of makeshift beds made it hard to even walk through the second room. Ubaldo Ramos Silva and Maria Leticia gave all they had for their seven children, including their youngest, Alvaro, who was born blind and mentally handicapped.
A group from Colorado was matched up to help build the Ramos Silva family a new home. Two days of hard work by everyone on site and a very emotional dedication ceremony welcomed the family to their new house. The family made the decision to follow Christ. We prayed together and rejoiced that they now had a new home, not only on earth, but in heaven as well. We left with hugs and waves goodbye, hoping the best for them.
It isn't often that we can follow up with a family, let alone see the true impact that a new home can make. Yet with this family, we did both.
As the dust settled over our SUV, we peered out our windows at the dramatic transformation. It had been about a year since we'd last seen Ubaldo and his family, and we could hardly believe our eyes. 
Around their property is now built a sturdy wooden fence made out of pallets. Their house is spotless. One corner of their lot proudly houses "La Guerrita," a convenience store that provides a small but steady income. All of the school age children are enrolled in classes this fall, including Alvaro. The family goes to church each Sunday, and the kids sang us some of their favorite worship songs. Oh, and Alvaro? He wants to be a pastor.
Was it the house that made the difference or the hope they felt from the gift of receiving it? We aren't sure. Yet this family saw an opportunity to change their lives for the better, and "poco a poco," little by little, they are doing it.
Written by full time YWAM San Diego/Baja staffer Jamie Durham
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