Gabina’s Story: From Loss to Provision
May 2026
This month, as mothers across the United States are recognized and celebrated, we want to share the life of Mrs. Gabina Quispe Cruz, 83, a woman whose resilience and love shine through despite hardships most of us cannot imagine. Gabina was born in a small Peruvian village and never had the opportunity to attend school, as none were available in her area. She cannot read or write, and Quechua is the only language she speaks.
Her early life was marked by parents who cared deeply for her and did what they could to provide for her. She helped with household chores but was never burdened with heavy labor. At age 20, she married her husband, Mariano. Together they had five children and worked hard to build a future with the very limited means they had. They owned no land and had no financial security, but determination and effort they possessed in abundance.
Tragically, none of their children survived into adulthood. Twin daughters passed away within a week of birth, another daughter died at age four, and their two sons died at ages 28 and 30. After the death of their last son, Mariano was overcome with grief. His health declined, he lost his sight, and he passed away soon after.
Left completely alone, Gabina eventually went to live with her sister, who was expecting a child of her own. But loss followed Gabina there, too. Sometime after giving birth, Gabina’s sister passed away, leaving Gabina to care for the new niece and to raise her as if she were Gabina’s own daughter. This she did, with God’s help, until her niece was 18 years of age and decided to move out on her own.
Now, Gabina lives in a borrowed home. The house she once built with her husband has collapsed, and at her age she no longer has the strength to rebuild it. To this day, Gabina still does not know what caused the deaths of her children. At the time, there was no access to advanced medical care, and she did not have the means to travel to Cusco for testing or treatment.
In these later years, however, the Lord has not left Gabina without help. Through the “Mano del Padre” outreach of the Home of Refuge and the faithful support of donors, Gabina receives food baskets every two weeks. This assistance provides much-needed relief, meets practical needs, and reminds her that she is not forgotten. Your generosity is part of how the Lord is providing for her and others like her during this season.
Recently, Tony baptized 19 elderly individuals who received the Lord Jesus as their Savior. Along with meeting physical needs, our ministry remains focused on what matters most: helping each person be ready to meet the Lord. We never know when someone’s time to meet the Lord face-to-face will come; we all need to be ready. The most important question you can answer, and the most important question I can ask is this: “Are YOU, the reader of this newsletter, ready to stand before Jesus?”
Thank you for continuing to support this work. Your giving is making a difference not only in daily provision, but in eternal lives. May the Lord Jesus bless you with health, peace, and provision in return.
