If you have followed my blog at all, or if you have ever talked with me about my recent adventures, then you know about my heart for the street boys in Honduras. Even though I am in America, my heart has never left that place and those kids are always on my mind. Especially Cristofer. A 16 year old boy. Abandoned. Rejected. Addicted to paint thinner. I spent only ten days with him but watched him transform–from day one when he was like a zombie and hadn’t been sober for more than 24 hours to being a normal boy with life in his eyes laughing and joking around.
I want to share a personal note with you about Cristofer. It is a long story but I will try and keep it as short as possible. As you know Cristofer was living with my wife and I for almost six weeks. He was doing super well and was excited with many new plans in his life including returning to school, taking piano and computer classes, etc. Well, one day I came home and found him completely ‘stoned’ on paint thinner in our home. He locked himself in his room for almost two days. He finally came out and told me he was going back to Los Pinos. After a heavy discussion with no response from him, he was packed and ready to return to the streets! He left with a huge attitude refusing any help or a ride; including being really rude with me. I finally got so angry and said, “Then Go, Cristofer, Go!” At that moment he threw his bags on the ground and ran off crying. I felt really bad but knew what I did was good as he needs to know there are limits.
I prayed every day for him and what to do. All I kept hearing was, ‘don’t chase after him’. I told his mom if he wanted to return to our home, he needed to come to us….as we no longer will be going to him. It was one of the hardest decisions I have made as every so often I would ‘run’ into him in Los Pinos or in the streets and he was ‘super high on paint thinner’. Everytime I saw him – I said Hi, shook his hand and left. This went on for about six weeks.
One day he said to me, “Tony, I want to talk to you. My mom wants me to return to be with you. My friends think I should return also.” I asked him what he wanted. He said, “I don’t know.” So again, I left somewhat abrupt with the following words, “When you, Cristofer, you are ready to talk with me about what you want, I will be available.” Again, another hard decision but I felt it was right.
Well, about two weeks later – when I was in Los Pinos – he came to me and said, “I want to return.” I replied, “I will be here tomorrow and you can come for one day.” Well we are on almost three weeks. We have not had the discussion yet about him staying with us permanently but it will happen this week.
He has returned with a different attitude…..He has more respect. He continues to always help us around the house. He asks for permission about almost everything. He visits his mom, who lives on the streets, every Sunday after church with me. He has been completely clean of all drugs including sniffing of paint thinner. It continues to be quite a pleasure to have him in our lives.
I share all of this with all of our dear friends – around the world – for one reason and only one reason: To please PRAY for this young man during this most critical time in his life…..for strength and wisdom. To PRAY for us as we are about to offer our lives to him one more time (with new conditions). To PRAY for HIS LIFE with CHRIST!
Thank you,
Tony and Nidia
