Faustina and her family came to Anapra looking for land to build in order to have their own place to live. Faustina is from Juarez and her husband is from Durango. In 2004 with 4 children at the time they got a big land and decided to divide it in three parts; one part for her mother‐in‐law, one for her sister‐in‐law and one for her family. At first they build a big pallet wood house, covered with black tar paper on the outside with a large piece of carpet on the ground to cover the sand. This became a kitchen and two bedrooms divided by cardboard. Her husband works at a maquiladora and she would sell popsicles, candy and pop from home to make extra money. Faustina recalls that when her husband would get paid he would come home with oranges and sweet bread for the kids, making them sooooo happy.

In 2004 one of her neighbors invited her to go to a church to sign up for a house from an organization called Casas por Cristo. Since she had several kids and her place was not well‐built, they were selected. In 2005 the organization came and built her a house with 3 small rooms. She was very thankful. Now she has built 2 cinder block rooms onto the house as well.

Faustina works at a children’s shelter across from her house. In 2006 her kids attended VBS. In 2012 she began to volunteer at VBS, helping Bertha. In 2013 Manos Amigas started to support some of her kids with school assistance, then rice and beans as well. This has opened a door for her family. She now has the opportunity to buy other groceries for her family. Sometimes beans are very expensive, depending on the dollar rate. Faustina is a very active member at the mission and the library, as are two of her daughters.

She says that since the first time she heard about the mission she asked God to give her the opportunities to be a part of it. This year she is bagging beans and rice each month for the second time. She asks for the support given to her and many families to continue. “This is a blessing in our homes. Counting on beans and rice to eat is a basic food. Thank you for providing this on our tables! God bless each one.” She also added, “Beans are VERY typical in Mexico.”