We met Ana, the principal of the elementary/middle school in Pajigua Arriba on Tuesday morning when we stopped by the school.  Pastor Ron gave Ana some soccer balls we had brought with us as a gift for them and her expression of thankfulness was absolutely priceless.  Unbeknownst to us they had a soccer tournament that was starting on Thursday and the balls they had were not in good shape; the new soccer balls were a very timely blessing.

As Pastor Ron and I continued talking with the ever smiling Ana, we had the opportunity to learn about her passion and commitment to the kids in Pajigua Arriba.  She has been a principal at the school for over 15 years doing her best in providing the teachers and students with what they need to be successful. Ana’s expression became more serious as she related to us that she has a 10 year old son who had recently had major eye surgery at the children’s hospital in San Salvador to repair a detached retina. As she continued telling us the story about the struggle with her son’s recovery and his body’s rejection of the repair, I was very touched.  Yet, I was even more moved when I learned that she had to leave her son alone at home because she had no one to take care of him and she needed to be at the school; Ana was so committed to the kids in Pajigua Arriba that she made the sacrifice of leaving her ailing son at home alone.  We let her know that we would be praying for her and her son, and as we said this, we could see the smile return to her face.  This was the same grateful smile we saw the following day during the grand opening of the classrooms, in celebration of their great community accomplishment and God’s work in the midst of the community.

Juan Nieves