Eagle’s NEst
Abrigo Andino
An Shelter of the Andes
“Sister Berta, how old is the baby?”
“Ruth? She is 14 month old.”
We asked her, the lady who was raising five children
by herself while she washed other people’s clothes
for living, if there was one thing she really prays for.
It was 13 years ago when we built her a house when
she answered, “I pray every day that our God will
grant us a house that will not leak and be blown
away with the strong rains.” We also supported her in
starting a small fruit store in front of her new house.
For couple of years, her family lived with great joy
and gratitude. But one day a tempest blew into her
home. She had a stroke and was called by the Lord
within a few days. Why? We are still asking our God.
Her five children became orphans overnight. But our
God had a plan. He raised up a sponsor who would
support all the living expenses for the five children.
Even though their mother went to be with the Lord,
the children grew up both physically and spiritually,
healthy and strong. The oldest brother, Paul, entered
a seminary while the second oldest brother, Sergio,
was ready to join the Peruvian army. Then another
tempest blew into these children’s lives. Paul met a
wrong girl and left both home and school. Sergio,
took a wrong turn in life and got involved with
unlawful things. Ruth and her sister Esther were too
young to stay home by themselves. That’s when our
God opened the door to an orphanage in Arequipa.
It was the “Abrigo Andino.” Ruth and Esther were
very hesitant and scared to leave their home for the
first time, especially to such a strange and faraway
place. But they were convinced by our COJ director,
Carmen.
Abrigo Andino means “Shelter of Andes.” Sharon,
who is in charge of the orphanage, was born to
missionary parents in Peru. She was raised and
schooled in Peru until she finished high school.
When she returned to the States, she finished her
college and worked as a teache