Category Archives: Constantina’s Story

Constantina.  It had been 7 years since I had visited my Christian family in Peru, 37 years since I arrived there with Glenn and 7 children in 1963.  (Our 8th child, Stephen, was born in Lima.)  I can hardly believe … Continue reading →

                The hazards, the hazards.  Lince was certainly not the most inner of the inner cities.  Yet her neighborhood became a center for drug dealing.            The house, like most houses in Lima, had a “front” entrance and a “back” entrance, … Continue reading →

After Constantina left our home, she became a single mother.  With faith and determination she supported herself and her son by selling clothing in a booth in a small market.     Every night she walked home with her little son, … Continue reading →

“What little we learned about her early life came to us in bits and pieces.  We thought she was from Arequipa, the second largest city in Peru.  But when Glenn planned a trip to Arequipa and asked if she might … Continue reading →

Chapter 2 What I wrote 40 years ago: “I first met her at our front gate.  She was so short I could not see her black hair until I opened the gate.  At five feet three I had most often … Continue reading →

                                I turned to the window to rest my eyes.  Constantina turned from the small desk and lifted her pencil from the paper. When she knew she had my attention she said, “Hermana, once you told me you were going … Continue reading →

                Constantina felt her sister Francisca’s body tighten and stretch as they lay together on the narrow cot.  Then Francisca arose quickly, dressed, and quietly let herself out the door to spend the day as a housemaid for an elderly … Continue reading →