When Despair Became Life
In March 2026, during a medical campaign in Curahuasi, Peru, Nohemí Palomino, a worker with HAKU, a ministry of Reflejo, met Adriana. That day, sitting in front of her was a woman in deep despair, unaware that God was already beginning to write a very different story for her life and for her baby.
Adriana was eight months pregnant and crying uncontrollably. She was a single mother of three children—each from a different father—and was facing life’s hardships entirely on her own. She had no financial or family support. On top of that, someone had told her that the baby she was expecting might be born with health problems or a genetic syndrome, which only increased her fear and anguish.
Through tears, she confessed something heartbreaking to Nohemí: “If you don’t take my baby, I’m going to kill her.”
Behind those words there was no malice—only profound desperation. Adriana saw no way out and felt she had no strength left to face motherhood again, especially under the circumstances she imagined.
With great compassion, Nohemí listened, prayed for her, and encouraged her. She explained that they could not take the baby, but assured her they would return to visit her. From that day on, Nohemí carried the situation in constant prayer, asking God for Adriana and for the little one who was about to be born, believing for protection and transformation.
Weeks later, the team returned to the community. After spending time with the children at the school, they followed Adriana’s daughter along narrow paths between fields, surrounded by mountains that seemed to embrace the way. They finally arrived at a small home surrounded by farm animals.
There was Adriana.
Her face was different. She welcomed them with a smile and with gratitude for the diapers they had brought. Then she shared something that filled everyone with joy:
“Now I’m happy to have my baby. I understood that she wasn’t to blame for anything.”
The same woman who months earlier had spoken from pain and despair was now holding her daughter with tenderness.
Sitting together, they read the parable of the lost sheep in Luke 15. Adriana listened attentively and then said that she too would rejoice greatly if she found one of her sheep after losing it.
In that moment, they had the opportunity to talk to her about Jesus. Although she had grown up in a religious environment, Adriana admitted that she didn’t know who Jesus was, what He had done for her, or what sin truly meant. That day she received her own Bible and learned how to find the passages they had read together.
They also shared that their desire was to walk alongside her—without pressure or imposition—accompanying her and showing her the love of Christ in practical ways.
Before leaving, they prayed together and met the little protagonist of this story.
The baby had been born completely healthy. Her name is Zoe, which means life.
Holding her in their arms, it was impossible not to remember that first conversation filled with pain and fear. God had transformed a story marked by despair into a testimony of life, care, and hope.
Today we continue praying for Adriana and Zoe, trusting that the same God who protected this life will continue guiding them and revealing His love to their family.