April 2025, Vol. 22, No. 2
Her Dreams Were Lost, but Her Faith Held On
Your partnership is making a difference for women like Cherin (pictured in green).
Once upon a time, Cherin had been an ambitious young girl. Though her parents were impoverished daily wage laborers, they worked hard, and so did Cherin. She dreamed of studying diligently and achieving great things. Perhaps she imagined becoming a doctor, a teacher, an artist or a politician . . .
But when Cherin was 6, a horrific event changed the landscape of her nation, and Cherin’s family fell even deeper into poverty.
“I still remember my mother begging food for us from neighbors,” she says, “and many times we even went to bed without food.”
As her family struggled for survival, Cherin had to reframe her dreams for a good education and great achievements, but she stayed positive. At age 22, she began living with a man, hoping they could build a decent life together. Cherin gave birth to two daughters and a son, and she and her partner worked together to care for the children. But as years went on, alcohol addiction stole her partner’s affections. He stopped providing for the family and eventually left them for another woman.
Now Cherin alone would have to care for their three kids. Once again, this wasn’t how she had dreamed life would work out, but once again, she kept hoping for a bright future. Determined to provide for her children, she started a business selling fruit. Slowly, the family reached a level of stability. Then tragedy struck again.
Cherin became paralyzed on her left side, with no clear reason why. She couldn’t perform all her normal tasks. Though relatives and neighbors helped occasionally, Cherin saw no way forward. This time, she couldn’t muster her positive, persevering mindset. She fell into depression.
“I always heard that God answers prayers, but now I know it.” — Cherin
Even in her despair, however, Cherin believed God cared for her, and she daily asked Him for help. Then, one day, a group of white-clad women stepped up to her doorway, finding her on a small, dusty bed with one of her children. These GFA Sisters of the Cross listened to Cherin’s story. Afterward, they faithfully prayed and fasted for Cherin’s healing, and they visited regularly to help her with daily activities. With assistance, Cherin also visited their church, where a GFA leader prayed for her.
Just as Cherin had believed, God heard her prayers—and her new friends’ prayers. Gradually, Cherin began to walk with a cane. God is also providing for her family in another way: The local child sponsorship project enrolled two of her children, so they have been receiving education, health insurance, nutrition and free medical check-ups. This lightens the financial weight Cherin once shouldered alone—and offers her children a chance to achieve things Cherin couldn’t.
“I always heard that God answers prayers, but now I know it,” Cherin says. “Thank you, [Sisters of the Cross] team, for knocking at my door. Thank you [to the church] for helping me and my children.”
