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Our Kids' Stories: Ricardo
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Student of the Month
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Spring 2001
By Roy Ketring
El Sauzal recently opened their hearts and home to Ricardo, a 10-year-old boy who comes from a loving family that has been hit by the tragedy of AIDS. Six years ago Ricardo’s mother required a blood transfusion after giving birth to a baby boy. They learned later that the blood was contaminated. Sadly, she had nursed Ricardo’s baby brother, not knowing of the virus. He contracted the disease from his mother’s milk and died at age two. Ricardo’s mom, Teresa, is now very weak and thin.
Ricardo’s family cares for him very much but life at home with his grandmother, his very sick mom and several children was too much for him to handle, so he requested that he be placed in an orphanage. We are very grateful that God brought him to El Sauzal.
Ricardo is in the third grade. Before he came to the Orphanage he had struggled in school, not because of bad grades, but because he had difficulty behaving. We’re happy to say that this past December he earned a certificate as ‘Student of the Month’. What a special achievement for this young boy who is still feeling the pain of losing a baby brother, coupled with the knowledge that he will soon lose his mom.
Flowers for Ricardo's Mama
Summer 2001
By Ruffo Aguilar
Upon returning from Tijuana one morning, I entered the home of Ramon, whom I call Abuelo (Grandfather). Grandfather had Ricardo, one of my boys, sitting at his kitchen table. Grandfather Ramon turned to look me in my eyes and then he looked at Ricardo with tenderness and began to speak.
“My Son, you are a very handsome boy and a very good boy who behaves like a little man. I want to tell you that your little mama is no longer suffering. She is now living in a special place.” (Ricardo’s mama had passed away a few days before.)
Grandfather explained to Ricardo that God had raised his mother up to be with Him in heaven. Ricardo’s face began to droop and he started to cry. Grandfather, Grandmother, their daughter Damaris and I then prayed for him.
Then I said, “Son, lets go. There is something that we have to do.” I ran to the telephone and called Ricardo’s aunt. They were about to begin the burial service. I asked them to please wait a little while in order for Ricardo and I to be with them.
I asked Ricardo if he would like to take some flowers to his mother. He answered yes. When we arrived at the service he had two large bouquets of different colored flowers for his mama’s grave. All of Ricardo’s family hugged him and were crying with him.
Ricardo’s uncle, who had originally brought him to the Orphanage, praised our Home for Needy Children and told me, “Ricardo could not be with anyone better than all of you at the Orphanage.”
I asked permission to pray for all of them. God gave me these words to say to them: “I believe in God and in Jesus Christ. I want to speak to God and petition Him for you.” I then began to pray. “Lord, it is absolutely certain that in the morning, You cause the sun to rise. You are listening to me at this hour and in this place. I want to ask You, on behalf of each person that is present here, for each heart that thirsts for You, to protect them, and give them strength to handle the pain. Give us wisdom to take Ricardo down the good road, and protect him.”
I told them, “God is everywhere. He is like the air. We can feel the air but cannot see it. The same is so with God; if one wants to, one can feel him. Thank you for listening to me.”
As we returned home, something funny happened. I did not have any gasoline in the vehicle or any money. I used all of my money to buy flowers for Ricardo’s mama. Like always, God supplied enough gasoline for Ricardo and I to return to the Orphanage.
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