This is my dude Jason or Yeson. He is 19 years old and currently a resident in a recovery program we are working within Medellin. He struggles with a drug addiction. His mother died about a year and a half ago. After he lost his mother he tried to kill himself. Hopeless and broken he put a pistol to his head and pull the trigger, over and over again but nothing happened. The gun was loaded but no bullets came out. He knows that God was looking out for him. After this, he decided he didn’t want to live this way anymore. He asked his pastor for help and he was led to this place Ciudad Refugio. Currently is just at the beginning of the program here. And he is young and has a lot to learn but I see a lot of myself in him. I see a lot of joy and potential for God to use him, even if he doesn’t.
Ciudad Refugio is a multifaceted organization that serves the homeless community here in Medellin. They have a year-long recovery program for men and women who struggle with alcohol and drug addiction. Sounds familiar. When I first got here I was concerned because my bed was hard and something just didn’t feel right to me. But little did I know this would be my favorite ministry of them all. One that not only touches my heart but is also a part of my own story. I have gotten the chance to work, live and share my story with these men. I have gotten to see a place where they simply create an environment for God to show up and then trust that he will. A place where people come back to life. Where hope and families are being restored one day at a time. The men here amaze me. They are some of the most dedicated and serious men about changing that I have ever met. The lack of entitlement and self-pity amazes me. These men understand where they have been, where they are, and most don’t know where they are going but they are trusting in God to lead them regardless.
Just like Jason I see hope in a lot of the men here. There is a lot of pain and hurt. They have done and see things most people haven’t. But still, they are here. Fighting daily to regain something they lost. To society they are outcasts. They are looked down upon. For this year of their lives, it’s almost like they don’t exist in the outside world. But they fight on. To have their families. To be the fathers they want to be. And to know God as they have never known him. God is doing amazing things here not only with these men but inside of me and the squad I am with. I am so blessed to be able to work alongside men like this and to be reminded of my own story, where I was and where God has brought me.
God is Good!
Love y’all!
