Although I've been talking about a house full of teenagers in the last few posts, I definitely need to highlight one of THE biggest answers to prayer for Bethesda Home for Boys--Jose's story. Jose is most definitely still "part of the home" but is now 21 years old and in a different city enrolled in a 6-12 month rehab program (hence him not being in any of my pictures here).
I first met Jose back in 2013 when he was 14 years old when he was shorter than me, had a squeaky voice, and scrawny preteen legs. My first impression was he is a kid with a contagious smile, never ending jokes, and laughter. Clearly a natural born leader; other kids didn't hesitate to follow his lead.
Jose's story is a long one full of so many incredible moments where God intervened in his life, along with terribly heartbreaking choices and moments that are difficult to even think about even years after. I don't have any "favorites" in the house...but if I did, it would be Jose.
 |
| When I first met Jose, drawing a heart for me |
Jose's home environment is a common one: several siblings all close in age, dad was murdered, and a mom that's trying to get by raising a house full of kids with different dads. Then comes along a stepdad who is mean, doesn't care about the kids that aren't his, and even resorts to extreme abuse you don't think any person is capable of committing against children. Unfortunately, Jose and many of his siblings suffered this extreme abuse which at times gave him reasons to leave, but also came with the deep pain of knowing his younger siblings were still in that environment and he wasn't there to protect them (even if protecting them caused him to suffer more). If you're wondering why child welfare wasn't notified of any of this--they actually were (and currently still are) but foster care here in Honduras is very different than in the States and honestly it's a complicated system.
 |
| Jose when I first met him |
Around age 9 Jose started using crack cocaine via the bad influences of older street kids he was around. With this came living on and off the street for varying times and eventually involvement in a low level gang in the city. This meant being the mule for drug deals, stealing from people/businesses, and being a look-out for the gang as well.
Jose has been in and out of Bethesda Home for Boys since 2011. This is due to countless times of running away for drugs and just as often for explosive anger. Running away was the way he knew how to respond to feeling hurt even when it was over something trivial.
 |
| Me & Jose on his way to school |
One of the most powerful stories in Jose's younger years is the time he should've bled to death but didn't. When he was 15, he was in the middle of stealing from a business when the guards of a business next door caught him, put a gun to his stomach, and threatened to kill him. Then, a crack head came by and the guards told him to kill Jose for them. He then pulled him to the ground and started stabbing him all over. He stabbed him 32 times and left him in the middle of an isolated street to bleed out and die. Jose describes that moment as he was laying in a pool of blood, felt hot, and saw flames. He heard a voice that said "Hijo, ven conmigo" (which means 'son, come with me'). When he heard this voice he jumped up, saw an ambulance, and started running towards it. This city is not a place where medical care is readily available (and what is is completely out of pocket), but against all odds there was an ambulance near by and at his moment of feeling like he was dying he was able to run to it for help. It wasn't until later that he realized God had literally spared his life. There is no way Jose should've survived what he did that day. The nurse said that when he exhaled, both blood and air was "leaking out of his wounds" and she thought she saw him breathe his last breathe the same moment the surgeon showed up. He went through extensive open exploratory abdominal surgery (hours of digging around) to make sure all the bleeding had stopped. He left surgery with 32 sutured stab wounds, a massive midline incision, and two chest tubes. The next morning, a nurse from the hospital called Lisa saying a kid was there that gave her this number to call. After a week in the hospital, he came back to Lisa's house to recover and restart again.
 |
| Making bracelets (2017) |
Over the years, Jose has had a deep desire to get clean but felt trapped by his addiction. Early on he went 6 months without touching crack or other drugs, but after each relapse the periods of being clean would get shorter and shorter, realizing he needs professional help but wasn't ready yet. Really the only rehab centers that were an option were in big cities (very far away from Balfate) and extremely expensive. Lisa, and the many people who have loved Jose deeply and supported him through all the ups and downs, have been praying for Jose to truly be ready to go through the rehab program and that doors would open for it to be possible along with the funds to make it happen.
Fast forward to now...in January he voluntarily entered into a rehab program that's the kind of program we've been praying about for years!!! Not only that, but there is a 6 month commitment required and he wants to do a full year there instead. By the grace of God and for you all financially supporting him, the funds to cover the first 6 months were raised within 24 hours!!!! THANK YOU!! He is finally putting in the painful hard work and getting the help he so desperately needs. Yes, when he's graduated it will still be a transition out of rehab and back into the "real world", but from Lisa's monthly visits it sounds like he is really making progress and taking it very seriously.
 |
| Jose & Lisa at his rehab center |
And you know what's even more amazing?! Not even a month after he entered into rehab, two of his younger brothers joined the house: Manuel & Eduar. It's spooky how similar Manuel is to how Jose was at that age with both his goofy joy & deeply rooted anger issues. Thankfully, Lisa has experience with how to navigate this and Jose is very encouraging of him to stay in the home and choose a better life for himself. It's incredible how not only has God answered Lisa's constant prayer for YEARS regarding Jose, but He also brought in two of Jose's siblings under this roof. Now, both Jose & two of his siblings are on the path to have a brighter future and experience the healing God can do in their lives when they were destined for life on the street like so many others.
If you're interested in financially supporting what Lisa is doing here with these boys, check out her website HERE and there's a paypal link or the snail mail address at the bottom for where to send checks.
For lots and lots more pics (and videos!) follow me in Instagram: @marskmiller
Feel free to email me if you have any specific questions at srtamariemiller@gmail.com and you're welcome to leave any comments below!
