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In the Arms of the Creator:
A Journey of Faith and Courage

By Victor

A few years ago I lived with a heart full of ambition and arrogance towards others, and my only goal in life was to obtain material things, until there was a stop along the way that made me rethink my way of being and thinking, through two situations: The first was that a friend began to inquire about the reason for my way of being arrogant, taking into account that when he met me, I was a simple and humble person, and he spoke to me that there was a Creator who was at all times in control of our lives and who also weighed the hearts of each one; and the second, a serious relapse that my brother had who had to be admitted to the hospital without any response from the doctors who could not find the root of his disease. Hopelessness and discouragement began to overwhelm my family, my nephews, and me, and there I was able to remember the words of my friend who, in that last conversation, told me that the Creator was in control of everything and loved us despite our failures. Immediately, I made the decision to put my faith in the One who could do everything, and I began to rest in His mercy, His compassion, and His power. As the days went by, my brother began to show improvement and finally his diagnosis began to be positive and he left the hospital healthy. In the moments when we are most fragile, the mind brings us confusion, makes us faint and leads to discouragement. As a male figure in my family, the expectations were set on me to show courage in the face of this painful circumstance and I had to strengthen my family, showing them that we should be brave and positive, trusting that things were going to work for good and that my brother was going to leave that hospital healthy; and that is how I had the courage to guide my family in an environment of peace, placing our concerns in God who is in control of everything, seeking Him in prayer, since as He says in His Word "Better one day in your presence, than a thousand outside it". And there I was able to understand that the most valuable thing I can have is the love of God. Jesus Christ, my Lord, is the one who has always been with me, and has embraced me in the difficult moments in my life. In different situations I have felt challenged because life takes turns that I may not like, but only He knows what is best for my life and that is why I have decided to trust Him. I have seen His provision in everything; He put a good woman, who today is my wife; it has kept my family together; He has provided the work to have food on my table, and He is the one who gives health to my family. God has made me the person I am now. God shed His blood on the cross and gave His life for me and for you, if you choose to believe! "Cry unto me, and I will answer and teach thee great and hidden things which thou knowest not" Jeremiah 33:3

En los Brazos del Creador:
Un Viaje de Fe y Coraje

Por Victor

Hace unos años atrás vivía con un corazón lleno de ambición y prepotencia hacia los demás, y mi único objetivo en la vida, era obtener cosas materiales, hasta que hubo un alto en el camino que me hizo replantear mi manera de ser y de pensar, a través de dos situaciones: La primera, fue que una amiga comenzó a indagar del porqué de mi manera de ser soberbia, teniendo en cuenta que cuando me conoció, yo era una persona sencilla y humilde, y me habló que había un Creador quien estaba en todo tiempo en control de nuestras vidas y quien también pesaba los corazones de cada uno; y la segunda, una grave recaída que tuvo mi hermano quien tuvo que ser internado en el hospital sin respuesta alguna por parte de los médicos quienes no lograban encontrar la raíz de su enfermedad. La desesperanza y el desánimo comenzaron a agobiarnos a mi familia, mis sobrinos y a mí, y ahí pude recordar las palabras de mi amiga quien, en aquella última conversación, me dijo que el Creador estaba en control de todo y nos amaba a pesar de nuestras fallas. De inmediato, tomé la decisión de poner mi fe en Aquel que lo podía todo, y comencé a descansar en Su misericordia, Su compasión y Su poder. Con el paso de los días mi hermano comenzó a mostrar mejoría y finalmente su diagnóstico comenzó a ser positivo y salió del hospital sano. En los momentos donde somos más frágiles, la mente nos trae confusión, nos hace desfallecer y lleva al desánimo. Como figura masculina en mi familia, las expectativas estaban puestas en que yo mostrara valentía ante esta circunstancia dolorosa y debía fortalecer a mi familia, mostrándoles que debíamos ser valientes y positivos confiando en que las cosas iban a obrar para bien y que mi hermano iba a salir de ese hospital sano; y fue así como tuve el coraje de guiar a mi familia en un ambiente de paz, poniendo nuestras preocupaciones en Dios quien tiene el control de todo, buscándolo en oración, ya que como dice en Su Palabra “Más vale un día en tu presencia, que mil fuera de ella” . Y allí pude entender que lo más valioso que puedo tener es el amor de Dios. Jesucristo, mi Señor, es el que siempre ha estado conmigo, y me ha abrazado en los momentos difíciles en mi vida. En diferentes situaciones me he sentido desafiado porque la vida toma rumbos que quizás no me agradan, pero solo Él sabe qué es lo mejor para mi vida y por eso he decidido confiar en Él. He visto su provisión en todo; Él puso a una buena mujer, quien hoy en día es mi esposa; ha mantenido unida a mi familia; ha proveído el trabajo para tener el alimento en mi mesa, y es quien da salud a mi familia. Dios me ha hecho la persona que ahora soy. ¡Dios derramó su sangre en la cruz y dio su vida por mí y por ti, si decides creer! “Clama a mí y yo responderé y te ensenaré cosas grandes y ocultas que tú no conoces” Jeremías 33:3

"Confía en el Amor"

Song by Laura Bomber

You can also find all the Faces of Literacy – Voices from Our Community songs on Flipside, Appleton Public Library’s local music streaming platform.

 

Go to flipside.apl.org and search “Faces of Literacy”
to stream this song on your computer or mobile device.

Song Artist Statement – Confía en el Amor

Victor- shared his story with me and I was very inspired to write something relating to his hardships and mental blocks of some of the first stages he lived here in the United States. Half of the song speaks of being hopeless, not knowing what direction to take. The song takes a turn in him finding god at last, finding hope within himself and in his journey through life.

About the song artist – Laura Bomber

Laura Baumer is a genre-blending singer-songwriter from Appleton, Wisconsin, known for her emotionally resonant lyrics and dynamic musical range. Drawing inspiration from indie folk, Americana, pop, and rock, Laura began performing original music in 2017 and has steadily grown a dedicated audience. Her songwriting journey began in high school, fueled by a lifelong love of journaling and early training in piano and guitar. Her debut single Learned from Love, released in December, showcases her raw vulnerability and melodic depth, setting the stage for her forthcoming debut album. With a commitment to storytelling, Laura’s upcoming record promises a cohesive, heartfelt narrative from beginning to end—inviting listeners on a personal and introspective musical journey.

About the Project

Faces of Literacy – Voices from Our Community celebrates the cultural fabric that makes up the Fox Valley. Through a musical, storytelling-based journey, viewers can experience directly from those whose lives have been transformed by volunteer-powered literacy services at Fox Valley Literacy.  

 

The 2025 Voices from Our Community project is comprised of original songs written by familiar Mile of Music artists inspired by the moving stories of courage and determination written by individuals living and working in our community. It’s a powerful reminder of how the skills and confidence gained through literacy can open doors to greater opportunities, a more fulfilling life, and a stronger community.

We Thank Our Project Sponsors and Partners!

About Fox Valley Literacy

Did you know that one in seven Wisconsin adults struggles with low literacy? Literacy is the key to personal and community growth. When people’s literacy improves, their opportunities expand, and communities become stronger.

Fox Valley Literacy provides free adult education in English, General Ed, Civics & Citizenship, and Individual Projects. We rely on volunteers and donors to make these programs possible, and we’re a proud member of Wisconsin Literacy, serving the Fox Valley region.
 

Our services are FREE to all adult learners who seek help! We rely on the support of VOLUNTEERS and DONORS and are 100% privately funded and receive no government help. LOCAL COMMUNITY DONORS are critical to the students we serve.

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ABOUT US >

Fox Valley Literacy provides classes and tutoring for adult learners in the areas of: English, General Ed, Civics & Citizenship, HMong Family Literacy & Individual Projects. Free to all students, we rely on the support of volunteers and donors to bring accessible education to our community.

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CONTACT >

Phone: ​920-991-9840

Email: info@foxvalleylit.org

STUDENT CONTACT >

Phone or text: 920-234-8041

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130 East Franklin Street
Appleton, WI 54911

© 2025 Fox Valley Literacy

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