Maria knew she made a bad choice. She rebelled against her Christian parents. Like other restless Colombian youth, she and her boyfriend ran away and joined a gang of guerrillas. They hoped to find adventure.
But guerrilla life was miserable and dangerous. Three months after they joined the guerrillas, Maria’s boyfriend was dead. Maria was stuck. The guerrillas, who carried out acts of war and terrorism against the government, did not let people leave easily.
Update
Maria’s story was told in 2006 on www.KidsofCourage.com in a story called “Maria: Putting the Past Behind.” The story told about how Maria’s parents continued praying for her, even after she rebelled against them. Maria cried when she remembered her family.
Maria lost a leg during a guerrilla fight. The guerrillas allowed her to have surgery; without any medicine to stop the pain. They gave her easy jobs to do, but still did not let her go.
One day, during another guerrilla fight, the guerrillas fled and left her behind. She could not run away with just one leg.
Christians helped Maria and took care of her. She got a job working for a radio station that broadcast Christian messages into guerrilla areas. She called her parents and asked for their forgiveness. Maria also had a message for her younger brothers and sisters. “Tell them not to rebel like I did,” she said.
A Hopeful Future
The Voice of the Martyrs helped Maria get an artificial leg. She is married to a Christian and is following the Lord. She and her husband are going to have a baby.
Emily
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