Drug-Addicted Emotional Orphan Becomes a Passionate Prison Minister 

Amazonian Wednesdays 🌴

*Trigger warning: This testimony of transformation shares about domestic violence. If this is a difficult subject for you, it’s probably best not to read. Sending you my heartfelt love!

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September 2019

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“Growing up in the jungle, I had 20 brothers and sisters. Plus three more that died before they could have a chance at life.”

With this introduction, Pastor Romel began to share his story with us. We were gathered together at church, listening eagerly. Searching deep in his memory, he continued.

“As little kids, we would paddle to school in a canoe. By ourselves. My parents didn’t care if we lived or died. Without their help, I only managed to finish my elementary education.”

He learned early in life to fight for his survival. “I remember roaming through the forest at midnight. I was alone, very young, and hungry. It was up to me to hunt for my own food.”

The harsh childhood environment that he endured shriveled his soul. He ended up addicted to drugs at an early age. The years crawled by. Never having received love, he became an abusive adult.

“I remember one ugly day in particular. I was enraged with my wife. She had dared to go to church that morning. I dragged her by her hair across the room, beating her.”

His wife’s anguished wailing troubled his soul. He began to feel remorseful. Why did he treat her that way? What a hideous monster he had come to be.

In that very moment, he heard a man start to preach loudly on the street corner. It was Jose Arimborgo. “You who are doing drugs and drinking your life away! You who are mistreating your wife! Repent! God wants to save you!”

Romel meekly approached. He leaned forward, intently absorbing the preacher’s every word. Jose saw his hungry heart. He invited him to church that day – an invitation which Romel immediately responded to. Walking into the building, he surrendered his life to Jesus. In that moment, a journey of healing and transformation began.

“Apostle Jose began to disciple me,” Romel shares. “He met with me regularly, patiently mentoring me. In him, I had finally found a father. He taught me how to make something of myself. I learned to produce handmade kerosene lamps, and bread.”

Romel produced the fruits of repentance. He began to dramatically change. His wife, tiny bit by tiny bit, started to trust him, after seeing how radically different he had become. She, too, went through a long journey of forgiveness and recovery. Today, their marriage is healed. Not only that, but Romel leads a vibrant prison ministry. He himself has become a father to many men who had none.

Truly, nothing is impossible with God!