At first it seemed clear to me that she needed some advice on how to communicate better with him, and I began to explain a little to her about listening and self-expression skills. She quickly derailed that train, and I decided (based on previous similar situations with other poor, older Peruvian ladies in distress) that I'd better just be a listener myself and give up the idea of directing her in any way. 

I listened for 2 hours (saying almost nothing really) as she came to her own conclusions about how God was testing her. This seems to be a popular assumption in Puerto Supe and not one with which I'm often in agreement. "Hmmmm" was about all I added.

Besides the fact that it took up 2 hours of my one free morning, the conversation was a little frustrating in that I don't think things will get any better for her (and I honestly want them to!). I'm not sure if the disconnect is an unwillingness on her part to change or if it's my own failure to communicate well. 

On some level I'm still glad to be of some use around here-- offering a listening ear if nothing more. My words don't seem to be very effective, so I hope that somehow my actions "speak" for me. 

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