My Dear Friend, Miranda

As of Sunday, I have spent eight weeks here. I have met some amazing people and experienced a lot of growth. I am surrounded day to day by people that show me more of who Christ is through their smiles, eyes, actions, and words. A person who I absolutely love is Miranda.

Miranda!

Me, Miranda, Doctora Brendaliz

Mirana and I

Miranda and Samara

children and cousins at home

looking off the clinic roof

Asáis and I at the photoshoot.

Getting Samara ready

[CLICK TO EXPAND PHOTOS & SEE THEM]

Miranda has such a special place in my heart. She has welcomed me into the clinic from the day I met her. Her kind spirit is reflected through her beautiful smile. I often see Jesus’ love poured out through her. She is 24 and the mother to three beautiful children and is eight months pregnant with baby number four. She works at our clinic as a translator to help Haitian patients who do not speak Spanish. Without her, the community of Haitians would be marginalized in our clinic. Every time I look at her, she holds a radiating smile. God has given her the gift of being joyful.

With the amount of joy she displays, it is hard to fathom what she has been through. Miranda is the youngest of 12 children. Her father died when her mother was three months pregnant with her. She grew up in an impoverished household in Haiti. She did not have the opportunity to go to school to learn to read or write. When she was 17, she decided to follow in her sister's path and move to the Dominican Republic in search of a better life. Her sister quickly married her off in hopes that a husband could provide for her. During this time, she learned Spanish. She became sad because her husband did not want to have kids. Due to this, they decided to go in different directions. She soon fell in love with an amazing man named Alexi. The only problem was, her family abandoned her for this decision.

Alexi and Miranda moved into a two-room house. Alexi could not find work, and they became pregnant with their eldest son. It became a very rough time because they could not provide for themselves. She then got a serve case of lice that caused a lot of damage. This is where Dr. Brendaliz found her. She brought her to the clinic and helped cure her lice. Brendaliz found out Miranda was pregnant and could not believe how skinny she was. Brendaliz began to minister and help Alexi and Miranda in any way she could. When their child was born, Miranda and baby Asáis became very sick. Doctors told Miranda that her baby boy would not make it past the first month. Still, they persisted. At this time, a team of Americans decided to help them financially. They were able to buy Asáis a bed so he would not sleep on the table. In this provision, they were also able to move into a safer house, with three rooms. In this, Miranda became a Christian! And glory to God, both Miranda and baby recovered. In this time, Miranda brought her family and siblings to know the Lord as well!

It has been about four years since then, and she knows works at the clinic with Doctora Brendaliz. Alexi has also found a steady income. In December, they will welcome their fourth child, a baby girl, into this world. Alexi could not be more excited as he feels he can provide for his daughter. Miranda is so happy to hold her daughter, Samantha. This past week, Brendaliz and I could love on Miranda and give her a pregnancy photo shoot. It may seem silly that we were doing a photoshoot amid her poverty because it does not help a physical need. Yet, this was a day of celebration. A celebration of the way God has provided. A celebration of His faithfulness to Miranda. It was a day to celebrate the amazing person Miranda is. In it, I got to see Miranda light up. She emotionally waits for her daughter, eager to hold her. She was so excited as everyone called her beautiful. My favorite moment of the photoshoot was when we had just finished helping Miranda get ready, Asáis saw her. His eyes lit up, and in his tiny four-year-old voice, “You look beautiful, mommy.” I saw the love of God through His words.

I am beyond blessed to see into their lives and how God provides for them. I am so excited for baby Samantha Skyler. The sacrifice Miranda exudes is remarkable.

How to pray for the ministry and I:

-For growth in my Spanish ability

-For a member of the community, a one-year-old boy, who was run over by a car. He is in the hospital currently.

-For the provision of supplies for the clinic

-For the health of Miranda and the baby in the next month

-For safety, while working at a clinic during a pandemic

- For our patients to know God