We met Tomas about five and a half months ago through a church member. Tomas had been addicted to alcohol for many years, and he wanted to reform his life. Julio began visiting him several times a week, and the pastor and head elder of the church studied the Bible with him. Tomas started coming to church.
The first time I visited Tomas’s home, Julio was teaching his wife, Consuela, and some neighbors how to make a specialty bread. That day I filmed Consuela telling her story of life with Tomas. It was a story of shame and sorrow. She was sobbing even before she spoke. She and Tomas had married when they were both 16 years old. He was fine then. The alcoholism came later, along with infidelity. She knew about his affairs. She knew who the women were and where they lived. It was not a secret. But she never left her husband. She stayed and raised their 6 children. My heart went out to Consuela that day. I wanted Tomas to succeed even more because of her.
When my mom was here, she told Tomas that we would pay the fare for him to take a bus or taxi to attend the Thursday meetings. He lives about a mile and a half from town, and she wanted to make it easier for him to attend. The last couple of times, he has brought along his youngest son (see photo).
Two weeks ago, I decided to lend Tomas our tablet, which has sermons, books, and audio for him to learn more about the Bible. He was showering when I arrived, but I talked with Consuela. I showed her how to operate it and explained its purpose. That night when Tomas arrived at the meeting, I asked him if he had used the tablet yet. He replied that he had. The following Thursday, he told me that he had seen all of the videos and was ready for more content.
I have downloaded more videos and two albums of Spanish hymns. I plan to return the tablet to Tomas at the next Thursday meeting. I am praying that the content fills his mind with good thoughts and that he continues progressing towards a better life. May these first six months of sobriety be the start of a changed life.
