From Tears to Triumph

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This gripping story, based on true events, delves into her neighbor’s journey from crushed youthful dreams of becoming a professional soccer player to the dire consequences of his life-altering decisions. Follow Rebecca on her own journey from anger to compassion and ultimately an unexpected love for her neighbor, Toro.

 

 

 

 

 

About Linda Bello-Ruiz

 

Linda Caridad Cassells (Bello-Ruiz) co-founded and directed the House of Hope—the first safe-haven for street girls, runaways, and underage prostitutes in Costa Rica. She was a twenty-three-years-old college dropout when she took on the project, and relied on her faith and determination which was much bigger than her curriculum vitae. After her return to the United States in 1976, she went back to college and earned her Master’s Degree in Psychology from Sonoma State University. She worked as a bilingual vocational rehabilitation counselor in Santa Rosa, California, for twenty-six years, and as a vocational forensic expert on disability for five of those years. She maintains friendship with many of her former clients.

The mother of four grown children, she divides her time between Lincoln, California, and Barra de Navidad, Jalisco, Mexico, where she practices her mantra, “Lord, where can I be of service today?”

She is the founder of The Faith Writers in Lincoln, CA. She attends The Promise Center in Santa Rosa, California, and the Costalegre Community Church in Mexico.

Ms. Bello-Ruiz speaks to clubs and organizations on her experiences in moving beyond despair into hope and in combating the underage sex trade. She is an Ambassdor for CourageWorldwide and supports groups whose mission is to combat sex trafficking and provide a safe haven for girls rescued from the sex trade.

She is currently working on her second book, "Love Thy Neighbor, Omar."