Blas was semi literate. He learned how to read basic words with the help of a missionary named Sra. Victoria Aldridge. Victoria was a member of the missionaries of Christ. She was a true disciple of Cristo himself as far as Blas was concerned. She taught from the Bible as if she lived breathed and died it.
Blas remembered the tradition in his family to observe the days of the saints. His mother would crawl on her knees praying and asking for a miracle in the name of the blessed Virgin, while his father lay drunk on the sofa.
He had a strange family, a mother who was more Aztec than Catholic, and a father who worshipped the god of Mexico known as Jose Cuervo.
Victoria read aloud from the book of Job.
" 1 In the land of Uz there lived a man whose name was Job. This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil. 2 He had seven sons and three daughters, 3 and he owned seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen and five hundred donkeys, and had a large number of servants. He was the greatest man among all the people of the East.
4 His sons used to hold feasts in their homes on their birthdays, and they would invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them. 5 When a period of feasting had run its course, Job would make arrangements for them to be purified. Early in the morning he would sacrifice a burnt offering for each of them, thinking, “Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.” This was Job’s regular custom.
6 One day the angels[a] came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan[b] also came with them. 7 The LORD said to Satan, “Where have you come from?”
Satan answered the LORD, “From roaming throughout the earth, going back and forth on it.”
8 Then the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.”
9 “Does Job fear God for nothing?” Satan replied. 10 “Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. 11 But now stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face.”
12 The LORD said to Satan, “Very well, then, everything he has is in your power, but on the man himself do not lay a finger.”
Then Satan went out from the presence of the LORD.
13 One day when Job’s sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house, 14 a messenger came to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing and the donkeys were grazing nearby, 15 and the Sabeans attacked and made off with them. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”
16 While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, “The fire of God fell from the heavens and burned up the sheep and the servants, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”
17 While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, “The Chaldeans formed three raiding parties and swept down on your camels and made off with them. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”
18 While he was still speaking, yet another messenger came and said, “Your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house, 19 when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them and they are dead, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”
20 At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship 21 and said:
“Naked I came from my mother’s womb,
and naked I will depart.[c]
The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away;
may the name of the LORD be praised.”
22 In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.
Victoria smiled at Blas. She said, "Job was faithful, and his son's loved sin more than God. She said I suppose they had their household idols, and had drunken fests."
"Senora how can I be faithful?" He smiled as her perfume danced on his taste buds.
It is simple Blas all you need to do is confess with your heart, your
voice, and your spirit, that Jesus is your Lord and Savior. Are you compelled say those words Blas?
"Si senora. I lost my family as they were caught in a crossfire in Durango. I am Job, but I have faith that Jesus (Heysoos) will be my new father."
"Beautiful words my young desciple, beautiful words."
Blas thought it was Victoria who was beautiful. The innocence of a crush on a teacher turned out to be the key for one young man's key to Salvation.
The pain of loosing mom was eclipsed by the promise that he too would be restored like Job was restored. This story became the anchor for Blas new found faith.
The one question that Blas asked,"Was Job a Mexican?"
