Stories of Life

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Stories of Life

• What difference can Christ make?
• What difference Christ can make!

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The Earth is the Lords, and everything in it,
the world, and all who live in it Psalm 241
Growing up here can cause one to overlook the
immense beauty. Sometimes I was so hungry that I
never saw the glorious works of the Lord always
laid out before me.
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Guard my life and rescue me let me not be put
to shame, for I take refuge in you. Psalm 2520
Jesus, hmmnow thats a popular name, but really
what could Christ possible offer to me? Could he
feed my little sister? Could he help my mother
find work? Could he just find my father? Could
he make me beautiful, so that when Im in the
city the rich girls wouldnt sneer and turn away
because of my old worn and tattered clothes?
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Hear this, all you peoples listen, all who live
in this world, both low and high, rich and poor
alike Psalm 491-2
Sometimes we would go to the city. We were there
to pick up money that Uncle Juan had sent us from
the States. The gringos were everywhere with
their white skin, gold jewelry, and pockets full
of money. Sometimes Rosa would ask them for
money when Mama wasnt looking. Usually they
would just shoo her away.
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Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in
his ways. You will eat the fruit of your labor
blessings and prosperity will be yours.
Psalm 1281-2
It seemed so silly, people spending money for
coconuts. Why they grow right next to our house!
I suppose the big city people forget what its
like in the country. Well, at least its a job
and at least the vender will have something to
take home to his family.
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How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord
Almighty! My soul yearns, even faints, for the
courts of the Lord my heart and my flesh cry out
for the living God. Psalm 841-2
The flowers were always so beautiful! On TV,
women were always getting flowers from handsome
men. I used to wonder if anyone would ever buy
me flowers one day, but daydreams dont amount to
much when you wear the same clothes for days on
end.
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They asked, and he brought them quail and
satisfied them with the bread of heaven. Psalm
10540

Mama always took pride when we walked through the
produce markets. She had a way with the fruits
of the earth. She always knew what was ripe and
good and when the merchants were trying to
swindle us. She would never be taken in and
would always barter her way to the best deal for
her money. She had a knack for always choosing
the sweetest, most delicious pineapple in the
bunch. MmmmI can still taste them on my lips.
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My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of
foods with singing lips my mouth will praise
you. Psalm 635
One day we had guests. Mama made a meal like
none other we had ever had! I knew these
strangers from the States had to be important for
us to eat like that! Mama said they came to talk
about Jesucristo, I didnt really care. I just
wondered if they knew Uncle Juan.
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Do good, O Lord, to those who are good, to those
who are upright in heart. Psalm 1254
Dishes! There are always dishes! Where is Rosa
when I need help?!? Someday Im going to live in
a big house with running water and glass windows
and Im even going to have electricity that
works. Ill even hire someone else to wash the
dishes for me. Ahhh, I wonder if someday will
ever arrive, well until it does, Im stuck here
doing dishes.
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Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,
whose hope is in the Lord his God, the Maker of
heaven and earth, the sea and everything in
themit is the Lord who remains faithful
forever. Psalm 1466
The heat, the boredom, the monotony are nearly
unbearable at times. There is this church in
town theyre planning baseball games and
volleyball games. Who ever heard of a church
playing games? What kind of religion is that?
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Many, O Lord my God, are the wonders you have
done. The things you planned for us no one can
recount to you Psalm 405
Baseball! Who wouldve thought? A church
leading over 60 boys while they play baseball!
Hector told me that they didnt even make him
pray or anything. He wasnt allowed to swear,
but his mama dont like swearing anyway. Those
church folk, they sure are strange.
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When I consider your heavens, the work of your
fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have
set in place, what is man that you are mindful of
him, the son of man that you care for him?
Psalm 83-4
I had to get away. Mama keeps talking about
those strangers and that church. I have a
secret spot, under my tree, where I can be alone
and look over the valley and think. What do
those strangers have that I dont? Sure, lifes
not the greatest, but why do we have to change
anything? Why cant Mama just be happy with me
and Rosa. I like the way things are.
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Deliver me and rescue me from the hands of
foreigners whose mouths are full of lies, whose
right hands are deceitful. Psalm 14411
Those gringos are back. They cant even speak
our language! Why should I bother listening to
anything they say?!? Maria brought them around.
I trust Maria. She may be the pastors wife, but
shed never lie to us. Maria really cares and
always listens. If Maria likes em I guess I
could try.
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He will not let your foot sliphe who watches
over you will not slumber indeed he will neither
slumber nor sleep. The Lord watches over youthe
Lord is your shade at your right hand the sun
will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.
Psalm 1213-6
Im still not sure about listening to those
strangers, but really what do I have to lose?
There isnt anything left for them to take,
everything is so bare. I guess Ill go, what
could it hurt? Rosa keeps bugging me anyway.
Yeah, Id better go, Rosa needs someone to look
out for her.
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Teach me, O Lord. Turn my eyes away from
worthless things preserve my life according to
your word. Take away the disgrace I dread, for
your laws are good. Psalm 11933,37,39
There were already a lot of people there when we
arrived. I couldnt believe that so many kids
really wanted to listen to what these people had
to say. There were even quite a few adults there
as well. Some were even moved to tears.
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O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in
all the earth! You have set your glory above the
heavens. From the lips of children and infants
you have ordained praise. Psalm 81-2
Well, we had a lot of fun, but dont tell anyone.
Those Americans sure can be funny sometimes We
sang and we laughed and laughed. We didnt pay
too close attention to the
adults. We got told to settle down a couple of
times. We really did have a good time. Some
girls taught us the silliest song Id ever heard.
Dumdum dadaor something like that anyway.
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Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders
labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the
city, the watchmen stand guard in vain.
Psalm 1271
Sure, you go to one little meeting, have a good
time, tell them you believe in Christ and now
they expect you to work for them! Well you can
count me out! Rosa, where are you going?
What? You cantdontahh wait for me!
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I rejoiced with those who said to me, Let us go
to the house of the Lord. Our feet are standing
in your gates, O Jerusalem. Psalm 1221-2
Its almost like a fiesta! Except for the hard
work part, but youd never guess to look at them
or talk to them. These Christians, theyre
different than the ones Ive met before. They
pray, and laugh, and joke even while they work!
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Come, my children, listen to me I will teach
you the fear of the Lord. The eyes of the Lord
are on the righteous and his ears are attentive
to their cry. Psalm 3411,15
While the others worked on building a new church,
they say they need more room with all the people
showing up, we got to sing songs, read scripture,
play games and we even got to act out what we
wanted to do when we grew up. I want to be a
singer. It was a great day!
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I will allow no sleep to my eyes, no slumber to
my eyelids, till I find a place for the Lord, a
dwelling for the Mighty One of Jacob.
Psalm 1324-5
Wow, it seems as though theyve been working
forever! But you know, no one seems to mind.
Sometimes they disagree, but they work it out.
They say they are building a house for the Lord
whatever that means.
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God sets the lonely in families, he leads forth
the prisoners with singing. Psalm 686
Mama went to the city. She said she couldnt
take us, but a family in San Juan offered to
watch us. Its a church family. They seem
pretty nice. Maybe if I let Jan look at my
picture book shell braid my hair. She better
not hurt my book.
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You answer us with awesome deeds of
righteousness, O God our Savior, who stilled the
roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves,
and the turmoil of the nations. Psalm 655,7
Mama came back and I didnt want to leave. Jan
didnt even ask to see my book. She said she
braided my hair just because we are friends and
sisters in Christ. I showed her my book anyway.
We went for a walk along the coast. Jan told me
that God made all of this, just for us, just to
say, I love you. I think I love Jan, I
wouldnt mind if she really was my sister.
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Praise the Lord from the earth, young men and
maidens, old men and children. Let them praise
the name of the Lord, for his name alone is
exalted, his splendor above the earth and the
heavens. Psalm 1487,12-13
More games! Ive never known church people to
play so many games! Luis says its because the
gringos dont have to talk when they play.
Sometimes I think hes right. But you know we
can communicate without words too. When I really
look I can hear their eyes saying, I love you.
Maybe thats the way it is when Jan looks at the
ocean and can hear God speaking to her.
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May your unfailing love come to me, O Lord, your
salvation according to your promise for I trust
in your word. Psalm 11941-42
Jan told me that Jesucristo really is Gods son
and that he died on a cross, for me, so I could
live with God forever. Why would anyone do that?
Sometimes I give up my plantains for Rosa,
because I love her. But who would die for
someone else, someone they didnt even know? Jan
says that God does know us, and that he loves us
even more than I love Rosa.
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You hem me inbehind and before you have laid
your hand upon me. Where can I go from your
Spirit Where can I flee from your presence? If
I go up to the heavens, you are there if I make
my bed in the depths, you are there even there
your hand will guide me, your right hand will
hold me fast. Psalm 1397-8,10
I believe what Jan told me. I really believe it!
Now I know what Mama was talking about. It
doesnt hurt to change. Well, it hurts a little,
but its a good hurt. I have tell Rosa, she has
to hear all about Christ too. Ill take her to
my secret tree so we can talk without Mama being
so nosey.
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Trust in the Lord and do good dwell in the land
and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the
Lord and he will give you the desires of your
heart. Psalm 373-4
Guess what?!? Rosa believes too!!! She says she
believed even before I did. Im not so sure, but
I dont think it really matters. One of the men
at church needed his laundry done, so Mamas been
washing for him. Shes even picked up a few more
customers. The pastor is looking to find us all
bibles of our own. Jan promised to help me read
mine.
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I will extol the Lord at all times his praise
will always be on my lips. My soul will boast in
the Lord let the afflicted hear and rejoice.
Glorify the Lord with me let us exalt his name
together. Psalm 341-3
Well, life certainly isnt a piece of cake just
because we became Christians, but things are sure
looking better. We have so many new and
wonderful friends. Marta and Jan help to remind
us where God really is working in our lives.
Sometimes I think theyre angels in disguise.
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He reached down from on high and took hold of
me he drew me out of deep waters. He brought me
out into a spacious place he rescued me because
he delighted in me. Psalm 1816,19
Were all getting baptized next month me, Rosa,
Mama, even Hector! Ive never seen anyone get
baptized before so Im a little nervous, but
Pastor David says there is nothing to worry
about. If anyone should know its Pastor David.
Hes done this sort of thing a lot. I hope I
dont get water up my nose.
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Not to us, O Lord, not to us but to your name be
the glory, because of your love and
faithfulness. Psalm 1151
Well, living like a Christian sure can be hard
sometimes. I never realized how hard until I
became one. Sometimes I just want to wear
clothes and jewelry like everyone else, and
sometimes I just want to mouth off like everyone
else too. On some days I know the only thing
that keeps me from being mean to Hector is God!
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For you, O Lord, have delivered my soul from
death, my eyes from tears, my feet from
stumbling Psalm 1168
God has been very good to us. It is so amazing.
I never wouldve guessed that Christ could make
so much
difference in a life. I think its subtle, but
even my friends notice. My whole outlook has
changed! Even my friends are starting to
believe. Praise be to God for the great work he
has done. Amen!
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I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart
before the gods I will sing your praise. I
will bow down toward your holy temple and will
praise your name for your love and your
faithfulness, for you have exalted above all
things your name and your word. When I called,
you answered me. Psalm 1381-3
Dios le bendiga
My friend