Friends, I am asking for you to donate to a worthy cause. I have never done this before, but I have no other ideas. I have befriended a Mexican family who are in a desperate situation. The mother, Zoila, was born in Guatemala 35 years ago and her parents died when she was very young, so she was shuffled around from place to place, never long enough to stay in school to learn to read well. She came here legally to the US about 20 years ago and has six children, ranging in age from 13 to 1.The father has been in Arizona for some time and was only recently able to rejoin them here in the Atlanta area, where she has been trying to keep a roof over their heads by caring for other children in her small apartment.But the mother of the children she was caring for has been unable to pay for the services she has already received, so Zoila's only steady source of income is now gone. Six children, three boys and three girls, only four who are of school age, and the two adults live in a two bedroom apartment.
   The father has been looking for work and is scheduled to begin a job Monday. I have provided work for Zoila as I have been able, and have even given her money to help with the monthly rent, but there are also utility and grocery bills and my income is very limited to the point that I can no longer help out financially.They have no car, but I have taken her to the grocery store and to the community foodbank where she has been able to obtain free groceries and diapers. I have also provided them with clothing, some toys and books for the children, and a few items of furniture. Several of them sleep on the floor, and there are only three chairs at the kitchen table. They do not have a complete set of dishes, nor can they all eat a meal together at the same time.
   I have been witnessing to her and trying to show her the love of Jesus, and she has been very receptive. I would like to be able to give her a Spanish Bible besides the Spanish tracts I have given her, but I am not sure how well she could even read it. The school aged children speak English, and probably are able to read English.
   I tell you all this not to ask for praise for myself, but to show you that they are real people with real needs that I am unable to meet completely. The pressing need at the moment is money, as they are facing eviction and the power has already been cut off. I gave them all the extra blankets and jackets we have, as well as some candles, so that they could at least make it through last night, which was about 48 degrees here. They need $400 immediately to get the power restored and to stop the eviction proceedings, but they also need an additional $800 to pay the December rent. I have a Paypal account set up that anyone with a credit card or bank account could donate to, and I could immediately take care of the financial matters.
    I have contacted local service agencies, but at this time of year they are swamped with requests, and some agencies take days of paperwork to fill out before actually doing anything. These children will not have a Christmas at all, and may very well be out on the street by Christmas day. Not too many people are willing to take in a family of eight, and my small house barely accommodates my own family. I will gladly answer any requests by phone or email, if anyone would like to help. You can email me at
elenalareina@comcast.net
and I will provide any necessary information in order to help these precious people. Please search your hearts and ask the Lord what He would have you do. Any gift, no matter how small, is welcome. Thank you.