She Lived in a House of Sticks

CBN.com - Many years ago, Marielena was driven from her home by an abusive husband.  “My husband would constantly beat me and throw me out of the house,” says Marielena.

For the past few years, she has lived in a squatter village in a shanty made of sticks and used trash bags. There is one bright spot in Marielena’s life – her grandson Stanley – who fills her life with joy.

Stanley came to live with her after his parents abandoned him. That’s when Marileana really began to question the condition of her house. “I often look for a place of refuge,” says Marileana. “And I go to church asking for God to give me a house. I have faith that God would give me a house.”

Marielena first met Operation Blessing through someone at her church.
  
The Operation Blessing staff member then went to see where she lived – and immediately they knew what to do. They gathered some volunteers, purchased some lumber and other construction materials and went to work. The Operation Blessing team erected walls, added a new roof, and installed a new wooden floor.

Building or buying a house like this would be impossible on Marielena’s salary of 2 dollars a day. But God made it possible through your gifts to Operation Blessing. In fact, they built the entire home in just 2 days – for 100 U.S. dollars! 

“I feel as if I must be dreaming. I never thought I could have a house like this,” says Marielena. “I thought I would always be surrounded with plastic bottles and scraps of wood.”

Now, Marielena and Stanley have a place to call home. “God is great,” says Marielena. “Now I can sleep safe and sound and not worry that the rain will wet us. Thank you Operation Blessing, Thank you.”

“Thank you Operation Blessing for my house,” adds Stanley.

CBN Partners provide practical help for families here in America and around the world. This often opens hearts to receive the message of Christ. If you are not a partner, please join with us today. For a small investment of $20 a month, you can bring help and a message of hope to people throughout the world. Become a member today!