‘They can’t believe it’s me’: former drug addict identifies with Joseph
MEXICO CITY, Mexico — Roberto Hernández feels a special affinity for the biblical story of Joseph. To this young man, liberation from the slavery of drugs and life on the streets is just as miraculous as Joseph’s story. “When I began to read the Bible, I found that the story of Joseph was especially meaningful to me,” he says, “because when his brothers wanted to kill him, he went on to find a new life. Friends“I never thought I would be like I am now. When my friends from the street see me, they can’t believe it is me, just as Joseph’s brothers couldn’t believe it was him.” Roberto never knew his parents, both of whom were murdered. A woman took him and his sister in, but later the pair ran away. Roberto lived by begging and working until he was 13. Then his life began to change. Convicted“I began to mix with other street children,” he explains. “That’s when I began taking drugs.” Roberto began to steal, and was convicted on major charges at 17. “I went to jail for armed robbery,
kidnapping and car theft,” he admits. “I ended up going back to the streets
and back on drugs,” he says. “I was invited to go to a camp by some Christians from Argentina who were working with street children,” he recalls. “With nothing better to do, I went.” At the camp, he heard the counsellors talking about Christ. He was attracted to the talk about Jesus, and prayed to receive him into his life. But he was unwilling to stay there any longer.
“We had the choice of staying or returning to the city. I returned to my life of drugs.” A year went by before he finally decided to return to the camp. “I didn’t return for any spiritual reason,” Roberto remembers. “I went because I had seen a car I wanted to steal. I took my drugs with me. They had Bible studies, but I didn’t go.” As the camp was closing, however, he was confronted with a life-changing choice. Fire“On the last night everyone sat around a fire. People gave their testimonies about how they had left drugs. What I didn’t realise was that there were people behind me, praying for me. “They asked me if I wanted to be changed. They told me that I would have to let Jesus into my heart. Even though I had ‘accepted Christ,’ this time I really opened my heart to him. I asked for help, but I also asked to be allowed to help other people. “I felt something wonderful inside. I wanted it for others, too. I wanted to help them.” This time, Roberto stayed at the camp for two years, but even with his new love for Christ and desire to serve, his life did not get any easier. “There was a young man who said he wanted to open a mission,” Roberto says. “I agreed to go with him, but soon found that he was lying. He began to do drugs.” Roberto admits that he returned to drugs, too. Tired of living“I was tired of living and wanted to die. But I didn’t want to actively commit suicide. I just thought I would die from drugs. Then I met Juan Arreola.” [See previous story].
Again, there was no ‘miracle cure’ for Roberto. “Juan was bringing food to the street children,” Roberto remembers. “He gave me food and he told me to go to church. While I was there, I heard the Gospel again, but hearing it wasn’t enough to change the way I was living. I went back on drugs again, but even then I asked Juan for help and asked to be allowed to help others.” Mr Arreola felt it was best for Roberto to return to the camp for a while before letting him help. This time, Roberto reached a deeper level of understanding. Today, he helps Mr Arreola in his ministry to street children, bringing them food for their bodies and the Word of God for their spirits. “One thing to never forget,” he says: “There are many others out there on Mexico City’s streets just like me.” (WR 375/45 - 3.03)
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