Submitted by Dean Olson on November 15, 2021
Included in the December 2021 Good Shepherd Scroll:
https://www.gslc-cu.org/december-scroll-3/
To anyone who has traveled on one of our Habitat for Humanity Thrivent Build trips to El Salvador, the mere mention of the name “Francis” brings back strong memories of respect and love for a very special person. We were fortunate that on all our trips, Francis Padilla was our Habitat host and guide. She was with us every hour of every day of every trip, moving us around the country, keeping us on task, organized, and safe, and making sure we did productive work at the build sites. One need not take a poll to know that Francis holds a unique place in the hearts of many.
Over the months of the pandemic, Francis has been in touch by email. In the last several weeks, she has updated us on the Covid situation in El Salvador, Habitat for Humanity there, her mother’s business, and her personal life. One thing she hopes to do this Christmas is raise enough funds to buy Bibles for all 62 children in her church. Francis attends the Bible Church of Grace in Ahuachapan, a western mountain town where we worked several times. She approached the topic of raising money in a very diplomatic fashion, and made it quite clear that she does not want to take advantage of her Habitat role. However, after so many years, enough of us know Francis well enough personally that such an issue does not matter any more. Francis is a person probably all of us who have met her would warmly welcome into our homes as an extended family member.
Francis has 62 kids she wants Bibles for at a total cost of $992. She said these families otherwise do not have Bibles at all. These will not be additional Bibles, replacements, or a different type of Bible. These will be first-time Bibles. So, please donate to the Good Shepherd Mission Fund if you can, and if you use a check, write “Francis Bibles” or “Mission Fund” on the memo line. To quote Francis (and she writes in English):
“My idea is that you can help me with as many kids as you want to, and anything will be welcome. I think the best gift they can receive this Christmas is the Word of God”.
Francis relates other news. Unfortunately, she is unemployed, as Habitat laid off most of its staff. Francis and her family are well, and she and most everyone she knows is happily vaccinated, and it has been easy to get vaccinated. Her mother, Francesca, closed her bakery during the pandemic, partially due to Covid, but also because she wanted to retire from it. Her mother maintains the dress shop next door, and they both still live behind the bakery. Francis is “studying theology”, but I am unsure exactly what she means by that.
Here are some closing remarks from her recent messages.
“ I love all of you and know that in Habitat as my volunteers, you all became something more than a job, and I really care about you all. If you come back, please let me know, and I want to see you all again.”
“I have special memories about you, Jim, Barbara, Pez (Jason), Papa Pez, etc. Because Jim’s teams were always special for me, and you don’t know how much, you became family in my heart. I am always happy to know you all, but with your groups, it was always different. What can I say about Jim and Barbara? They are like angels, children of God. I feel so blessed because I had the opportunity to meet you all and I hope some day to visit you, and go to your church, and enjoy one of your services.”
“From my home town, Ahuachapan, my Mom and I send love and many blessings to you, your church, and your families.”
Once the Bibles are in hand, Francis promises to send some photos. She is the only person I know whose email address is a prayer. She would welcome your message at: myhopeisgod@gmail.com.
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