My Story

I greet you excitedly, hoping this letter finds you doing well. I am Maria Cristina, and I want you to know that my family and I attend a Christian Church on Thursdays and Sundays. It is so good to hear from the Almighty there. The LW staff also shares the gospel with us. One of them encouraged my family and me to continue trusting in God while he collected this information for you. We are grateful for this project because of the tasty lunches that I receive at the feeding program. My father, Aurelio Morente, is 56 years old. He still makes a living as a transit police officer and also digs river sand to get extra resources. His health is in good condition. My mother works hard at home too. She is Santa Ruiz and her age is 50. She makes typical weavings to sell. She is a diabetic woman, but she takes medicine to treat her condition. The rest of my family and I are healthy.

I am fifteen years old, and I attend ninth grade. I like receiving face-to-face classes because it is so much better to learn the lessons. Paying for my school expenses has not been easy for my parents, since they have to cover others at home. Our priorities are clothes and food supplies. We raise hens and turkeys to sell when it is necessary. Besides that, we grow corn and beans for our consumption. Being an accountant is one of my biggest dreams, so I am doing my best at school. Christmastime is my favorite because the year ends, and my family and I have fun together. My next birthday will be in November. What I love doing the most for my birthday is celebrating with my family. I love drinking pineapple and tamarind juice. My favorite sport is football; I wonder what is yours? I say goodbye for now, but let me tell you that it was a pleasure to share my news with you.

Cordiality yours,

Maria Cristina Morente Ruiz

Translated by: Hillary Popol / AAC Secretary / Antigua Guatemala