Mother's Day by Christina Weibel (El Salvador)

      Last week I went to the girls prison (for girls under 18) for a mother's day event they were having. It was me, Carlos from Sus Hijos, the prison staff, two other visitors, and the girls from one of the sectors. Some of the girls read poems they wrote to their mom's (but their mom's weren't there) and some sang songs. They played a game where they had a few of the the girls who were moms model. Then they announced that they had a famous singer come all the way from Spain to sing for them. One of the faculty members then walked out in a cheaply made, bright red dress that looked like it had been sewn together in their sewing workshop. She lip sang a song that was played on the speakers at full volume. I had never heard the song before, but all the girls sang with her at the top of their lungs. Carlos later told me it was an old song and he had only heard it played by his mom.

      The rest of the event went by like this. We were each given a little sandwich made in their kitchen with a bag of juice. More "famous singers" came out singing old songs, dancing around, acting out the lyrics, and the girls continued to sing their hearts out. Nearing the end, they had cried for an encore. The singer agreed to sing one more song and acted out a scene where she was fighting with another woman over a man. When the event had finished, all the girls were glowing and gave me hugs before heading back to their cell. While I was watching them, God reminded me again how we can love each other right where we are, in whatever situation we are in.

    I'm always fighting myself and my thoughts. I try to focus on positive things and the little progress I make when I'm working. I am beyond blessed to be here and to be given the opportunity to do the things I find most valuable in life. Investing in others is the only thing worth doing. I still struggle with things that others find simple and sometimes I ask God why He made me like this. I know God put me here. There is no way I could have come here on my own. Knowing this, I continue to cling to the belief that God knows me and works through me regardless of what I see or where I think I should be in life. Even with my imperfections, God loves others through me. If all I do is make a small difference in one person's life, my journey here was worth it.


To read more by Christina vistit her blog My Life Unloaded.

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