Blanca’s life crumbled in 1998. Her husband of 20 years walked out the door. Among many other disagreements, their inability to have children led to divorce. Everything that made life meaningful left with him. Blanca felt powerless to deal with the loss. Severe depression set in. Not one, but two suicide attempts followed.
To lash out at the pain life dished out, she turned to a life of partying. But loneliness still greeted her each night she stumbled home. So she ran. She left Quito, Ecuador, and ran all the way to the United States.
No matter what she tried, she failed to grab onto hope.
Blanca’s Self-Prescribed Cure
Blanca decided there was one cure for her pain. Achieving a long-held desire to become a mom. She returned to Quito and, miraculously, was able to adopt a 3-month-old baby boy, Jonathan. Jonathan brought a brief sense of purpose. Yet, the void remained, exacerbated by her ex-husband's death from Leukemia.
Desperate Measures & Dire Actions
In 2004, urged by her sister, Blanca sought counseling at La República Church. During a pivotal two-hour meeting with a counselor at the church, she opened her heart to the love and forgiveness of Jesus.
Blanca admits life didn’t magically fall into place. But she and Jonathan began attending the church, and she joined the Bible Academy. Through persistent trials, including legal battles with her ex-husband's second wife, Blanca found solace in the unwavering support of her church community.
Love Wins
Gradually, with the kindness and forgiveness she received from Jesus and the kindness and support she received from La República Church, she was able to give to those who hurt her. Where there was once pain, there is now peace. It’s not uncommon now to see Blanca sharing a table with her ex-husband's second wife.
And with support from church leaders, Blanca revealed Jonathan’s adoption to him. His initial response jolted Blanca. “Should I call you mom or madam?” he protested. Days later, love won again. He declared, “Mom, it doesn’t matter that I didn’t come from your belly. I am still your son, and you are still my mom.”
Along the way, many men from the church community have stepped in to be role models and father figures for Jonathan. Today, Blanca and Jonathan are active members of the República Church, volunteering in the children’s ministry and different church activities.
“I know that with God, everything is possible, even forgiving the hardest things. Your job is to accept the love of Jesus Christ. He will transform your heart.”
Blanca’s story is a testament to the transformational love of Jesus and the incarnational community of La República Church, enabled by generous donors like you. Your support makes you a vital part of these life-changing stories.