Homes of Hope

When their youngest daughter Cynthia was six months old, JoseMaria and Rocio Manzanillas Torres's worst fears came true. "She died," states JoseMaria, explaining how five doctors had confirmed the horrible news. As the sad couple turned to leave the hospital, Rocio heard a cry and ran back to find her daughter miraculously alive. "And this is how we began to know the Lord," JoseMaria says. Yet there were more miracles to come for this family.

Apart from Cynthia's sickness, Rocio was often ill with bronchitis because of their living conditions. "Rain came in from the roof, the walls, and the ceiling" of their home, says JoseMaria. The circumstances became so bad that they finally decided to move. Just as they were to leave their home for the final time, a truck pulled into their driveway. "We didn't know who they were," JoseMaria shares, and little did he know that another miracle was about to occur. These visitors from YWAM Ensenada told him to prepare his property because his family was going to receive a house. "We didn't believe them [but] we stayed," smiles JoseMaria at the memory. A short while later, a Homes of Hope team arrived to make this miracle a reality.

"YWAM opened the door for us to know the Lord more," JoseMaria concludes. His wife agrees that even their relationship as a couple has improved because of their new house. Money that was spent on medicine for Cynthia and Rocio is now invested in education for their three children. Rocio says it best: "For me this house has been everything because is has given me hope."