A Mother, Two Sons, and Your Support
April 2026
Balvina Cruz Huacho is 40 years old and was born in a small community in Peru. She was the second of six children. Because her family had very limited resources, she was only able to attend school through the fourth grade before leaving to help her parents care for animals and work in the fields. She continued in that life until she was 20 years old, when her parents arranged for her to be married.
With nothing to their name, Balvina and her husband moved to the city of Cusco, hoping to build a different life together. They both worked very hard, and in time their family grew to include four children. Each child appeared healthy at birth, but as the two oldest grew, they began losing their ability to walk. Inexplicably, both eventually died. Fearing the same thing would happen again, Balvina’s husband took their third child to Lima in search of answers. When none were found, he abandoned the child there and disappeared from their lives. Balvina was left alone with her youngest son, and before she could begin rebuilding their lives, she had to travel to Lima to search for the other child who had been left behind.
After determined efforts, Balvina found her son abandoned and neglected. She brought him back to Cusco so she could care for him. Today, both of her remaining children are unable to walk. Her oldest son is now 20 years old and bedridden, while the younger, age 10, is also confined to bed but a little more active.
Balvina and her children live in a single small room that someone allows her to occupy in exchange for caring for the property. Inside are two beds and a small stove set on a table. The surrounding conditions are very difficult. Each morning she wakes early to prepare meals for her children and leaves their food within reach before leaving for work at 6:00 a.m. Her job is an hour away, and she spends the day carrying bricks for construction. For this exhausting work she earns less than $15 a day. She returns home around 5:00 p.m. to continue caring for her children. Because of their condition and her limited resources, the boys have never attended school and rarely leave the room. Though they need therapy, it is something she simply cannot afford.
Balvina attends church in Cusco, and it was there that we first learned of her situation. After visiting her home, our ministry welcomed her into the feeding program. Balvina is deeply grateful, especially because the food support she now receives helps provide for her children in ways her daily wages never could.
During a recent visit, Tony and I spent time with Balvina and her two sons. We brought a gallon of ice cream and a cake. When the younger boy saw the treats, his face lit up and he began eating right away, clearly delighted by the simple surprise.
Balvina carries an enormous burden each day, but your giving helps ensure that she does not carry it alone. The love and support provided to her family through this ministry is possible because of your generosity and faithfulness.
We ask you to pray for Balvina and her children, that the Lord would sustain her and give her strength for each day. Your participation in this ministry is a blessing to our hearts and to all those who benefit from your financial and prayerful support. Thank you for making an impact.
In other news, we were also able to provide backpacks for children in the jungle as their school year began on March 16. The school term in Peru runs from March 16 through December 15, with a short two-week break in June. Your support helps make these simple but important provisions possible for many children, and we want to express our sincere gratitude for your partnership.
Thank you for continuing to stand with us in this work. Your prayers, generosity, and encouragement help bring practical support and hope to families like Balvina’s.
Sincerely,
Tony and Rosa Rivera
Home of Refuge International, Inc.