When Elena arrived at her safe house at 15 years old, after being sexually exploited for years by her mother and step-dad, she needed supervision for everything she did. She even needed help to take a shower, get dressed, and control her bladder. She was insecure and 100% dependent on caretakers.
She is an empowered young woman now, capable of many things. She enjoys swimming, skating and exercising. Even though she still needs supervision and has mental handicaps she may never completely get over, she is much more independent and takes care of her daily needs on her own. She is glowing more than ever, since the day she turned 18 and was told she was going to a host family, which happens to be someone on staff at the safe house.
She is in a family that doesn’t necessarily have extra money to take this on, but is 100% committed to feeding “one more. As they say in Costa Rica, “Where 4 eat, 5 do too.” They are committed to loving her, caring for her and cheering her on. A faith-filled family that is involved in the church. With a good sense of humor, and a commitment to what God puts in front of them. May we never underestimate the extravagant, brave, power of love.
