This week’s story of encouragement comes from the Girls Club site in Guatemala.

The Girls Club site was created with the intention of seeing girls come together to learn about Jesus and  build a community where they feel safe and accepted. Each girl walks through the site’s doors with their own stories, insecurities and challenges. Friendships are built and the girls are learning that they don’t have to carry their burdens by themselves but that they can rely on one another to walk through life.

Maria is a young, 13 year old girl that attends the site. About a year ago, Maria lost her father due to Covid. You can imagine the heartache and loneliness of losing a parent at an age where we need the guidance of our father the most. When Maria would walk through the Girls Club doors, you could see the hurt in her eyes. Maria was pretty shy, but after the passing of her father, she retreated and became  even more introverted. 

But God. 

God placed two other girls in Maria’s life that helped her navigate through a difficult part of life. Jessica and Brenda really opened up to Maria in a time when she needed it the most.  As their friendship continued to grow, a huge transformation began to take place in the life of Maria. Although her walk with grief still continues, she comes to girls club with a smile on her face laughing and joking with her friends.

Jesus calls us to walk with one another through hardships. Maria’s story is a great example of stepping out an obeying the Lord by encouraging and supporting others around you while carrying their burdens.

Galatians 6:2 “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”