David & Maria: “Every step, every moment we have known God is with us.”
For David and Maria, the last couple of years have required every bit of strength, perseverance, courage and faith they could muster, and then some. It’s one thing as an individual or couple to move to a new country and start over, it’s another to pull your children out of their comfort zone and replant them in a foreign culture - twice.
When David and Maria were forced to flee Venezuela, they first landed in Chile, where they worked hard to create stability and build community for their family. But then, through a special government parole program for Venezuelans, the opportunity became available to move closer to family in the United States. Though they had worked hard to forge a new life in Chile, David and Maria decided that God was leading them to move again.
Coming from the Lone Star Country to the Lone Star State (seriously, if you’ve never seen it before, check out the the similarities between the Chilean and Texas flags!) was a much harder move than going from Venezuela to Chile. Everything about the United States culture is different, especially if you’re a kid. Imagine if you were David and Maria and were faced simultaneously with the urgent priorities of finding a home, finding jobs, enrolling the kids in school, finding some amount of stability - and now imagine doing all of this without a vehicle in North Dallas! It’s overwhelming.
By the grace of God, David got connected with Woodcreek Church in Richardson, where he was introduced to pastor Kevin Bennett and elder Drew Wight. Realizing the tenuous situation the family was in, these leaders began reaching out to the greater Woodcreek family to help meet this family’s needs and Drew ultimately become their Advocate for OnRamp DFW. One of my favorite comedic lines from the giveaway day was from David: “First, Kevin gave us two wheels (bicycle) and then Drew gave us four (a loaner car)” Perhaps more important for the family was the community they found at Woodcreek, one that will continue long after all our cars are in the junkyard. David even serves now at the church translating the Sunday message into Spanish.
Members of the Woodcreek community were on hand to celebrate with us!
At OnRamp DFW, our team has been encouraged and inspired by every aspect of this story, including the courage and faith of David and Maria, the hospitality shown by individuals at Woodcreek, and the generosity of all who contributed with joy to meet this family’s needs. I believe this is what Jesus means when he tells his followers to love our neighbors as ourselves.
