You’re never fully dressed without a smile, and wearing one comes naturally for mother-of-three Lucia. She’s a strong and cheerful woman who will do anything for her family.
She, her husband Joel, and their three children live near our Samar site in the Philippines. Two of the children are sponsored. In December of 2017, her husband became seriously ill and couldn’t work for almost a year.
Determined to provide for the family, Lucia threw herself into work. She worked in construction, school utility maintenance, fishing, a food stall, and health – anything to help her family survive.
Every night, she asked God for a miracle.
Soon after, Joel’s health began to improve, and things began to fall into place.
Lucia is now an active member of her local Chalice family circle group, and always willing to lend a helping hand to other members, leading them in community service.
So when it came time to recommend someone for a new home through Chalice’s Samar Housing Program, the group knew Lucia was a good choice.
The family was “elated” by the opportunity, site staff write. Joel worked diligently on the build, while Lucia and her son helped haul sand and mix gravel to save on costs. They worked with “love and happiness.”
But just a few days after finishing up the home, Joel was again rushed to hospital.
Lucia held God close, and within a day, they were discharged – on Joel’s 50th birthday, giving them something else to celebrate.
“Indeed God is really working on people’s lives in very mysterious ways. He knows His plan and what Lucia & her family do is just offer their path to the Palm of God,” site staff write.
Follow Chalice on Facebook and Instagram for daily updates from our sponsor sites, impact stories, and more!