By Gerald Gonzalez, New Hope School Bible Teacher
“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.”
Matthew 5:7
There are many characteristics of compassion. First, we know that compassion feels. It is the pain or sadness that I feel for those who are afflicted, injured, damaged, wounded, or helpless. The difference between feeling hurt for someone and feeling compassion is that compassion dignifies the person. It heals them, bandages their wounds, lifts them up, and restores them. We must feel as God feels.
Compassion also does. It is knowing of a need and reacting as God would. It is not pushed or forced. Compassion passes from feeling to action because it sympathizes with the suffering of others. Another characteristic of compassion is that is costs. It costs time, mental space, and even investing resources. The Good Samaritan stopped on his way when he observed a need. He then physically helped the wounded man and paid all of his expenses until he recovered.
And for you? Who is your neighbor? What changes do you want to see in the world or in your community? In Matthew 5:13-14, Jesus call you the salt of the earth and the light of the world. May we practice this compassion today through this prayer guide and in our own lives.
ADA MARCELA RUGAMA RUIZ
About Ada:
I am in the 11th grade and I’m 17 years old. I have been studying here for 5 years and it was the best experience I have ever had. I learned a lot of good things. I learned how to work as a team in difficult times, how awesome God is, how to be humble, and how to work together to get the goal we want. I will miss my friends, teachers, food, and everyone else. Teacher Marcos taught us a lot of good things. I will always thank him, too. I love English and Spanish class. Those were my favorites classes. What I liked to do here was to share time with my friends. I live in the Dolores community with my mom, my two brothers, and my sister. My mom works in a grocery store and my dad helps us economically just a little bit. I love to listen to music. Now that I will be graduating soon, I would love to study English so I can work in a call center and help my mom.
How You Can Pray:
1) That my mom can keep her job for a long time
2) That all my friends I graduated with will do well in life
3) Strength to overcome what will come
ANDERSON DAVID LACAYO CELVA
About Anderson:
I am 16 years old and I have been studying here for 5 years now. I loved it because I learned a lot of good things. My family lives in the Roman Esteban community in our own house. My sister studies here in 7th grade. My dad works as a farmer and that it is how he provides food for us. I don’t attend a church. I love playing soccer at school and I play baseball at home with my brother. I will study to be an auto mechanic. I am so excited about the future.
How You Can Pray:
1) I want to do well in life
2) To find a good job
3) To enjoy life in a good way
JANNIA JARELY ESTEBAN CALDERON
About Jannia:
I am 16 years old and I have been studying here for 5 years. I have been learning a lot here about God, serving no matter what, and helping others. I love the food here, too. I will miss all of my teachers and friends here. I live in the Roman Esteban community with my dad and my sister who is 8 years old. My mom lives in Diriamba. I live with dad because he lives close by the school. Maybe next year I will move to my mom’s house but it depends where I’m going to study. I love music and drawing. I will study English so I can work in a call center and help my family.
How You Can Pray:
1) To do well in all I do
2) Pray for health for my mom and dad
3) That all goes well with my parents
DONALD JONATHAN HERNANDEZ LOPEZ
About Donald:
I am 17 years old and have been studying here for 3 years. It has been a great experience because I have learned so much about the Lord. I live in Jinotepe with dad, mom, and sister. My dad works as a truck driver. He drives to different countries like Costa Rica, Honduras, and El Salvador. He is not at home most of the time. We attend an Assemblies of God church. I love all the food at school but may favorite food is beans, rice, and cheese. I love physical education and I also play guitar. My favorite class is philosophy. I will miss my teachers and friends so much. I will study agricultural engineering because I love trees and planting.
How You Can Pray:
1) For my dad who will have surgery soon
2) That the Lord will open doors for me
3) To keep my mom and sister safe and for provision, too
DANELIA GONZALES
About Daniela:
I am 16 years old and I live in the La Pita community. I live with my mom and dad. My mom is a teacher and my dad is a taxi driver. My sister and brother have their own families so I live alone with my mom and dad. My favorite class is Language and Literature. I love the food at school, especially salpicon with fried red meat. I love physical education class and I love helping my mom cook at home. I will study veterinarian medicine because I love animals and would love to help them feel better when they get sick. I have been learning a lot here. Now I am closer to God because of what I learned about Him here.
How You Can Pray:
1) To do well in my career
2) For this school to keep growing spiritually
3) That all of my friends from this class will reach their goal for their future
DIEGO ADOLFO GONZALES ALTAMIRANO
About Diego:
I am 16 years old and have been studying here for 2 years. It has been awesome because my teachers are so great and my friends are the best. I love the Chinese rice that the ladies cook at the kitchen. Please keep them in your prayers so they can keep cooking like they do. I live with my sister, brother, mom, and dad. I attend Hosanna Church on Tuesday and Sundays. I love watching TV. I will study System Engineering because I just love technology. I am so excited for what God has in store for me. I will miss the school, my teachers, and friends.
How You Can Pray:
1) For a better economic situation
2) Please pray for my brother
3) Good health for my family
VICTOR ALFONSO LOPEZ RUIZ
About Victor:
I am 16 years old and have been studying here for 5 years. It has been the greatest experience. I know more about the Bible now and feel that I am ready for what is coming. I love math and next year I will study physics. After I finish that degree, I will study architecture so I can help my family. We live in Dolores in our own house. I live with my mom and younger brother. My favorite food here is potates with beef. I love playing soccer and love watching TV with my grandmother.
How You Can Pray:
1) Good health for my family
2) To do well in university
3) For a good future
EYMNER JOSUE LACAYO GUTIERREZ
About Eymner:
I am 17 years old and love playing Payback #2. I love to study. I have been studying here for five years now. This is my last year because I just graduated. I am so excited. I live with my mom, Maria, and she is 49. I also live with my dad, Jose, who is 53. I have one sister and she is 12 years old. Her name is Ashly. We live in our own home. My dad works as a farmer. My mom is a stay-at-home mom. I would love to study to be a mechanic or a farmer to be able to help my dad. I love math. I also love all of my teachers and I have learned so much from them. Now I know better about my salvation. I will do my best to apply all I have learned these past years in my life. I will do my best to do everything I learned here. I also love the chinese rice that the ladies cook.
How You Can Pray:
1) For the pandemic to get better
2) Please pray for success in my career
3) To keep my family safe