Joselyn Samanta

My father found a job here, so we moved because we were very poor. I had no shoes. So, when we came here to Mexico, I thanked God because my dad had found this job very quickly. Step-by-step, we started building our home and buying our things. Basically, I thanked God because I could study. And I didn’t ask anything more for life.

It’s hard to remember a time when I had doubts about my faith, but I just remember this time when my dad told me that I was a reason for his problems. At that moment, I felt without a reason for being alive, and I felt just really bad.

And at that time, I pleaded to God for an answer. I told Him, “Why, why am I feeling like this? Why is my father telling me these things?” Then I felt I didn’t want to live. But I didn’t think about suicide ‘cause I thought that it would be the easy way. I started to pray and to release myself to God. 

And then I noticed that my father started to change. I told God, “No, it’s not Your fault these things that happened. It’s not Your fault, and it isn’t mine. These things just happened, and You want me to be with You.”

My message is that even if someone feels empty in life, they should know that God is always there. They shouldn’t give up. Just because things don’t happen right away doesn’t mean we should ever lose hope. God is always with us. He never leaves us alone. What I’ve learned in these 31 years is that without God, the world would be in chaos. Thanks to Him, those of us who believe have been able to change. Not 100 percent, because you can’t completely change your character, your beliefs, your habits, or whatever else. You can’t do it all 100 percent. But He transforms us. He is with you.