A Global Advent: 25 Stories of God With Us Around the WorldSample

Mary, the mother of Jesus, was just a teenager when the angel appeared to her. The Bible tells us that she was frightened but chose to follow the will of God courageously. Lesly might understand the fear that Mary faced that very first Christmas. She was frightened when she became pregnant at 14. “Never in my life have I felt so alone and scared,” says Lesly. Growing up in the small town of La Troncal on Ecuador's coast, her childhood was difficult. Her alcoholic father abandoned her at a young age and her mother worked long hours to provide for her two daughters. "I remember spending all my days alone when I was a child. Sometimes I ate just once a day because we didn't have food at home, and we had to wait for my mother to arrive at night with something to eat," says Lesly. [IMAGE CONTENT] Photo Caption: Lesly and her son, Sebastian. When Lesly was 8 years old, she was forced to leave school because her mother couldn't afford the expense. She sold fruits and vegetables on the streets and looked for any opportunity to earn money. At age 14, she met a young man named Leonardo. “I had nothing when I was a little girl, I was completely alone, and at that moment, I had found some hope in a person,” says Lesly. But that hope was dashed when she discovered she was pregnant, and Leonardo left town. At five months pregnant, everything changed. She was visited by Johanna, a tutor from the local church, who invited her to be part of Compassion's Survival program. Lesly eagerly accepted. Each week, Johanna arrives with words of encouragement, toys for her baby, Sebastian, a practical lesson, and food for the week. "I always tell the mothers I work with that we must all be brave and trust in God. He is the only one who will never leave us," says Johanna. [IMAGE CONTENT] Photo Caption: Joanna, Lesly and Sebastian do devotions during one of their visits. After playing with the baby and sharing a lesson with Lesly, the visit ends with a Bible devotion and prayer. Johanna is also teaching her to read and write. "I don't feel lonely anymore. I know that God sent an angel to me to take care of me and help me to protect my baby," Lesly smiles. The angel told Mary that God was with her, and that gave her courage. Who can you share that message with today?