Our biggest concern for this family has always been Jorge’s alcohol addiction.  He has been off and on again since we met them over 5 years ago.  Recently we decided we needed to change our approach in order to help him address this issue.  He recognizes it is a problem that not only affects his personal health, but also his relationships and more specifically his boys.  We know he loves them dearly and wants the best for them.  He’s even super excited that Brandon is able to read now…something that until this day Jorge cannot do himself.

One of our missionaries has recently started working towards building a mentoring relationship with Jorge and attempting to spend more time with him and walk alongside him.  We know from experience that addictions cannot be overcome by willpower alone and we need people alongside us to keep us accountable, motivate and encourage us, and give us strong words of love when necessary.  Jorge so far has been receptive to this and has been sober for 3 weeks!  He said he has been fighting against the urge to go out at night with his drinking buddies and one of them recently passed away which was an eye opener for him.  Please pray for him and that he would lean more on God’s strength during this process.

He’s gotten some work in recent weeks harvesting in the coffee plantation a few miles away.  Andre has gone with him and helped when he is visiting and seeing as they have to walk to and from the plantation, they are getting to spend lots of time together.

Brandon is already excited for school next year.  He is advancing well in the school and the director has been paying special attention to him in order to help him advance, since he is behind his peers.  He enjoys having more one-on-one time with his dad since he is the only one living with Jorge now, aside from Carmen.