The Thirteenth Child Dreams of Becoming an Agricultural Engineer

Doña Ernestina’s daily life was not easy. Her days were filled with housework, caring for her husband, raising twelve children, and also working to earn some income to meet the many needs of the household. One day, after feeling some strange symptoms in her body, she realized she was pregnant again.

The surprising news frightened her—she couldn’t understand it… she was pregnant and expecting her thirteenth child. However, as she recalls, her strong faith in God and trust in Him led her to think: The Lord will help me move forward with all my children, just as He has done until now.

After nine months of pregnancy, the youngest of the family was born, and they named him Jarvin Saúl. In that large family, with siblings of all ages and different personalities, this young man had to learn to share life. Now 18 years old, Jarvin has just graduated from high school and is full of dreams and aspirations.

Jarvin Saúl tells us that being the youngest in such a large family was sometimes a bit stressful. Although he gets along very well with all his siblings, he had to obey them and help them all, often being in charge of running errands. But it was also beautiful to feel each one’s care and their support in different ways. “I was never alone at home, and I didn’t go through the difficulties my older siblings faced because they worked hard to support me in everything I needed—just like the church, which has supported me since I was very young,” he says.

Jarvin Saúl came to the Vida Plena Ministry of the Church in Transformation with his older siblings when he was only two years old. He fondly remembers the warm welcome he received every morning from Don Juan, the security guard, and the Bible stories he learned from an early age that laid the foundation for the values that have shaped him into the good man he is today.

This young man received support through an educational scholarship that helped him complete his secondary education. “The church has supported me spiritually, emotionally, and financially,” he says, giving thanks to God. His mother shares the same feeling, stating that the church has helped her move forward with her children, several of whom are now members of the community.

“Jesus is more than my Savior to me—He is a friend who teaches me compassion and forgiveness. He is the one who has given me all good things: understanding, health, and peace,” says Jarvin, who strengthens his faith through the Youth Ministry, his discipleship cell group, and worship gatherings, which he now supports as part of the Communications Ministry. He is also a volunteer in the Buen Provecho Program, helping in the kitchen or doing homework with the children.

When asked what the community means to him, he responds with confidence and conviction: “It has marked me since childhood. I consider it my home, my refuge, my peaceful space, where I can feel safe sharing with people who support me and believe in me.”

He is currently in a transitional phase, looking for a job that will allow him to begin university studies. His life goals are clear, among them: “to become an agricultural engineer, have my own home and family, and continue serving in the church every day in the best way possible, helping those most in need—just as I was once helped.”