Mayoris was born in 2004, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. From a very early age, God planted in her heart a special love for spiritual things and a deep desire to serve Him.
Mayoris had a normal childhood until the age of 10 when her mother died. At age 12, amid that grieving process, she had her personal encounter with Jesus and accepted Him as her only and sufficient Savior. Mayoris affirms that that decision has been one of the most steadfast and blessed of her life.
When she was 14, Mayoris suffered another tragedy when her father also died. During that period of emotional pain, she was confronted with the reality of human suffering. However, she was able to strengthen her faith, as she learned to depend completely on God.
At age 15, Mayoris went through a severe emotional crisis. The absence of her parents, spiritual loneliness, and an environment contrary to her beliefs led her into a deep internal struggle. However, God, in His infinite mercy, used a faithful sister in Christ from the Adventist church she attended to be a spiritual guide. Through her help and assistance, Mayoris found a permanent home at ICC’s Las Palmas Children’s Village.
Children her age are not usually accepted into Las Palmas, but after hearing her story and seeing her love for God and her desire to obey and be an exemplary young woman, the director completed the necessary paperwork and welcomed Mayoris into the ICC family. It’s support from ICC family members like you that made this possible!
What follows is an excerpt from memories and a testimony that Mayoris recently shared.
What struck me most about the Las Palmas Children’s Village was the lifestyle there: healthy eating, deep spirituality, tranquility, the peace that permeates the air, harmony, and constant communion with God. However, what touched my heart the most was nature in all its fullness: the earth, the plants, the crops, and even working with the tractor.
One of my most rewarding experiences was when I climbed onto the tractor for the first time upon arriving at the farm. I also vividly remember my first visit to the vegetable garden, where Barceló tomatoes and lettuce were growing. Every afternoon, I enjoyed eating three organic tomatoes straight from the garden, a simple but deeply meaningful experience for me.
Today I can say with certainty that (Las Palmas) was a place of complete restoration. It not only met my physical needs, but it strengthened my faith, healed my emotional wounds, and affirmed my identity in Christ. There I understood the truth of Jeremiah 29:11, as I saw how God transformed my plans and aligned my life with His will.
During that process, the Lord placed it on my heart to study agronomy, a career path I had never imagined, but which I now understand to be part of His perfect design. Through contact with the earth, nature, and creation, God showed me a beautiful and therapeutic way to serve Him. I am currently in my third year, trusting that He continues to guide my every step.
Thank you, thank you very much to ICC for giving me the great opportunity to be part of such a wonderful program.
Thank you to each of my sponsors who have supported me so diligently, and I am certain that they do so with great love. With God’s help, their efforts will never be in vain. May God bless you richly and abundantly.
