Erling is a young alcoholic who we sponsored to go to rehab for four months, beginning in January of this year. His wife, Dominga, was 3 months pregnant at the time of his admittance. She didn’t want him to go. She cried as we discussed the details. Later on, after he had been there about a week, she wanted to know if “los internos se casan,” which translated literally means “the inmates get married.” I realized she was worried that Erling would leave her for another girl at rehab.
In May, Erling was released from rehab. That same day, his ex-step-dad offered him liquor and he drank. Dominga was staying in a pregnancy center in another town. She had their daughter about 2 months later. She stayed with her mom for awhile, and then she came to live with Erling.
Unfortunately, Erling is living like he did before he went to rehab. He sells ice creams from a cart or shines shoes, but even while he is working, he usually is inebriated. He spends the money he earns on alcohol, giving his wife very little.
Last Friday, Dominga came to the house with her sister and Dominga's two kids. I asked Dominga how she was doing, and she told me that Erling had been treating her badly and providing her with nothing. She said she asked him for milk and clothes for the baby, but he used all his money on liquor instead.
I asked Dominga if I could walk with her to her house so that I could know where she lives. We walked about 20 minutes to a neighborhood just out of town. She lives in a small, one-room house with wood walls and a dirt floor. In the corner, a pile of clothes sat in a broken stroller, and some cardboard and plastic was crumpled up in a corner. She stretches out the plastic at night, piles clothes on top, and she and the kids sleep there. She pointed to some empty sardine cans and said those were Erling Jr.’s toys.
I bought her some rice, beans, sugar, milk powder, and laundry soap. I told her to save the food for her and the kids, and let Erling buy his own food with the money he earns. She walked me to the edge of the neighborhood, and as I was leaving, she told me that she would not give any of the food to Erling.
The next day, Sabbath, she came to church with her two kids. It is hard for her to attend because her son is energetic and undisciplined. He climbs under and over the pews and wanders the aisle. Dominga told me that she would come again this Sabbath, but I know that she feels uncomfortable because of her son.
Dominga’s situation is very difficult. Please pray for her and her family.
