In the heart of the city, where the homeless are hanging, I met Andres*, a young man seeking solace in the midst of his struggles of many years. This encounter unfolded one Wednesday morning near the busy train station, where the “invisible people group” of the city are hanging. Jose, my first connection with the streets from a couple of years prior, he came to greet and also introduced me to Andres and Pedro. Andres I had few encounters last year during our outreach but it was always very superficial.

We began our conversation and Pedro, in a moment of vulnerability, asked for a beer. Instead, I extended an invitation for breakfast, a simple gesture that changed lives.

Many homeless in our city know me as pastor / a Christian who cares for them. We have come to the stage where our conversation normally turns towards God and HIS plan of redemption. This time our discussions delved into spirituality, God, and the supernatural, Andres courageously shared a haunting experience involving a witch from his days sheltered in an abandoned warehouse. Troubled by this encounter, he sought hope that God can deliver him from the troubles he is facing because of the witch.

Since then, he has been spending time with us, I meet with him studying bible together, he comes for YWAM worship time and started coming to the church on Sundays.

As we started to have more encounters Andres opened his heart and shared an encounter that had pushed him further at the verge of social exclusion and his journey took a dark turn. This had happened about three years before.

Now as Andres is knowing God and experiencing the gentle work of the Holy Spirit, he told me about the incident, and he was ashamed about it and wish he could change the things. Andres was repenting, we discussed that the next step would be asking forgiveness. Together, we embarked on a journey of reconciliation. Andre knows about my friendship and the mutual respect that I share with the director and NGO’s work.

Relationships: Living on the streets, Andres used to use the facilities provided by Catholic NGO and local social welfare council. He could spend a day in a warm day care center and eat at the community kitchen. One day Andres had as argument with the director of a community kitchen, fueled by the addiction and arrogance Andres got violent and later started a daily pattern of insulting a director. This led to his prohibition from the facility.

We waited for three weeks, and one fine day the director called Andres into the office and told him that the board of director also decided to forgive Andres. With the ban lifted, Andres gained access to essential resources: a warm meal, counseling, and job assistance. The transforming work of Holy Spirit is visible in the life of Andres. This is now volunteering at our food distribution ministry, attending YWAM community meetings and Sunday church.

Walking into the director’s office without an appointment, we faced a tense atmosphere. Andres, humble and contrite, sought forgiveness, acknowledging the gravity of his actions. Miraculously, amidst the discomfort, and long talk, the director forgave him. This act of grace and mercy transformed the room, reminding us of the biblical truth: “Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other” (Psalm 85:10).

Yet, our mission to help others like Andres expands. We seek a larger space near the train station, where worship, the word, and fellowship can flourish.

Please remember Andres in your prayers, his spiritual growth and job search. In the face of adversity, Andres’s story stands as a testament to the transformative power of faith, forgiveness, and community support. Together, we are not only changing lives but also restoring hope for those who need it most. Thank you for your continued support.