Dear Friends,

 

Several years ago, when Christopher Hilario "Lechuga" Ramirez was in elementary school, Rancho Dad Javier helped him write a letter to sponsor who wanted to know what he wanted for Christmas. 

 

Lechuga: "What I want they can't give me."

 

Javy: "Do mean like a nice bike or a skateboard?"

 

Lechuga: "No, for Christmas I want to see Jesus."

 

We learned yesterday that he got his most cherished Christmas present. He was struck by a car on his way to his first day of work. Lechuga was 19 years old. The driver called 911 and applied CPR, but Lechuga passed away in the ambulance.

 

He came to us when he was in first grade. He's pictured below with Dan Moller, Rancho Del Rey's director. He was the best man in a the wedding of our Back2Back's Ministry liaison, Jordan, last December. He was a senior in high school at the time.

 

Please join with us in prayer for the family. They live in a shack in a city dump. Let us know if you'd like to help with expenses.

 

Lechuga was much-beloved. More than words can express. A sweet boy and later young man, a gentleman, always respectful, always smiling, artistic, kind, hard-working and helpful. We know that he is in the presence of the Lord, smiling more than ever.

 

But back here on earth his family needs much support and comfort, as well as all of his buddies still on the campus/residence of Back2Back as high school and university students. There are several who are struggling with this tragic loss.  In particular, please pray for his closest friend Alejandro Ornelas, who facilitated his new employment. He shared that he feels in some way it's his fault, since the accident happened on Lechuga's way to work. Today is Alejandro's 22nd birthday. 

 

We are grieving today. Our hearts ache, especially, for his caregivers here at Rancho Del Rey and for his caregivers/substitute parents over the years-- Lety and Wichy, Luci and Zac Mino, Javy and Jenny, Yanko and Josefina and Epy.

 

Psalm 139: 17-18

 

How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!
How great is the sum of them!
If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand;
When I awake, I am still with You.

 

Precious Lechuga, precious in our eyes and adored by his God, is in His presence today.

 

Susan Mino

 

P.S. Lechuga played the part of Jesus in his last Christmas Pageant at RDR in 2018.