Mario and Marilyn

While in New York city, myself along with 3 other very lovely ladies stayed with an older couple whose names were Mario and Marilyn. They were one of the nicest old couples you will ever meet. They welcomed 4 women they did not even know to come and stay in their home for a week, Marilyn washed our towels and made our beds everyday, she even washed my filthy socks that I painted in and was going to throw away . Mario and Marilyn have seen a lot of hardships in their life which they were very open about sharing with us while we were with them. They have two sons who were born non-verbal autistic and now live in a group home. Marilyn had cancer which has left one of her eyes severely cataracted. Marilyn lost her sister about 30 years ago and told us that we came as a blessing because we arrived on the day her sister passed away and left the day they buried her. Mario and Marilyn also had so many trinkets and knick knacks in there home which at first we found to be rather humorous and very typical of an older persons' home. However, as Marilyn continued to tell us stories of hardships she had faced, it began to be apparent that she had a difficult time letting things go. Mario and Marilyn were members of the church that died and handed the keys to the building over to robert and chris. We were told the church was very liberal and that they were not preaching the gospel, I didn't understand exactly what this meant until on our last night when we were talking with Mario and Marilyn. Marilyn made a comment about how all that stuff in the old testament was really odd and that she basically didn't buy it. It became apparent that Mario and Marilyn believe that there is a God but that seems to be almost the extent of it. The next day as we were being driven to the train station, Chris began to tell us how awesome it has been to see the change in Mario since they have begun to work in the church. He said Mario has been able to see how God provides and the evidence of God living, breathing, and moving in the community. Mario and Marilyn are two very special people who haven't had an easy life but who God is revealing himself to more and more with each passing day. Pray that they will receive healing from the hardships of their life. That they will know God intimately.