I fondly greet you, hoping you are having a beautiful day. My name is Maria Elena Toj Ruiz, and I want to share my information with you. Before starting, I want you to know that my mom helped me to write this letter to you. I am 9 years old and fortunately, I am healthy. I am in second grade again. I am a shy girl, so I have a little difficulty making friends. After classes, I usually help my mom to look for dried grass to feed our pigs. We raise hens, pigs, and cows to earn a little money from the sales. I identify with my mom because she is a kind and hardworking woman. She is dedicated to taking care of my siblings and me. Fortunately, my whole family is healthy.  

Let me tell you  that spending Christmas without my father has been the saddest experience for me. He has been working in the United States as a gardener for about four years. I miss him so much! Despite this situation, God has been with us. I have been able to feel his presence when my mom prays with us to comfort our family. We do not attend any church, but I know Jesus is my Savior. I have heard about him on the radio, and my mom has told us nice Bible stories. Please pray for my family and me so we can attend church soon. We are grateful to LW staff for sharing the gospel and encouraging us to seek the Lord. Thank you for reading my letter! Before leaving you, I want you to know that my mom and I had the opportunity to share all this information with LW so you could hear from me.  

Huge hugs,  

Maria Elena Toj Ruiz 

Translated by: Hillary Popol, AAC Secretary/Antigua Guatemala