It was the evening of December 15th when I met Abraham, a young Venezuelan man, wandering the streets of Quito. At first glance I thought he might be a thief. My family was with me and I hurried to put them in the car. It had been a long day. We had served over 500 people that morning at Pan de Vida and later that evening, despite our exhaustion, we decided to go out for dinner driving far; somewhere we almost never go. Yet, it was in that very place that God intended to have an encounter with this young man.
“Please sir, I just need help. I am not going to hurt you.” Abraham had been walking for 38 days from Venezuela to Ecuador. He was alone, he was scared, he was hungry. I handed him a $20 bill. While he needed the money, it was what he said next that broke me. “Sir, what I really need is a hug.” What did this broken world do to this man that here he was asking a complete stranger, who showed him some compassion, for a hug?
I hugged him and prayed for him; reassuring him of God’s faithfulness. His tears did not stop flowing. He was trembling. His soul so overwhelmed. God knew his heart and his need. I told him about Pan de Vida. I don’t know if I will ever see him again, but God had a message to give him that night, that He is there for him. I am glad He used his humble servant to deliver it. Please pray for Abraham that he is open to receive God’s love.
Pan de Vida is about being the hands and feet of Jesus. We are thankful for the opportunity to work in the name of Jesus and thankful for your support and prayer. We could not do this without you!
Serving togther,
Oscar Aguirre
Executive Director & Founder