Once a bustling sea port, Champerico (in Retalhuleu, Guatemala) has been reduced to a small town that struggles to survive. On the Pacific side, Puerto San José is now the main port of entry, while on the Atlantic side, Puerto Barrios is the gateway to trade and commerce. An old quay lined with small boats juts out towards the sea. Some men still fish to support their families, but the empty warehouses and abandoned railway speak of better days. Palm-roofed restaurants dot the beach and weekend tourism is the main source of income. The black sand beach meets the pounding surf, and on any given day, youth try their hand at surfing.

Like many coastal towns, the heat can be oppressive. As a result, people avoid the hot sun at mid-day and prefer to stroll around town in the evenings. Numerous canteens beckon passersby to quench their thirst, and the combination of heat, unemployment, and easy access to alcohol is a recipe for addiction. Drunks stagger along the streets or sit mumbling on the sidewalks. Guatemala occupies a key position in the drug trade and is a drop-off point for the north-ward route. As a result, access to drugs is easy, and many have been caught in that net. Governments have promised economic aid, development projects and a brighter future. But much of that has been nothing more than political rhetoric. By all accounts, the future is rather bleak.

However, on the corner of a quiet street stands Restoration House “Capernaum”. A brightly painted wooden structure, this house offers hope to those caught in alcoholism and drugs. The house isn’t much, really; rooms are bare, and some don’t even have a place to store clothing. There is no yard to speak of. And yet, this house has been used by God to transform lives.

Wilfredy Cruz, the director of Restoration House, can testify of the transforming grace of God. At age ten, Wilfredy began drinking, and by the time he was 14 he was a drug addict. For years he supported his habit by disposing of garbage with a wheelbarrow. At age 30, in God’s providence, Wilfredy attended a retreat organized by another restoration house in a city not far from Champerico. There he came to know Christ and returned to his home town with a passion to rescue people from the hopelessness of addiction. Wilfredy shared his vision with Ader Luarca. Currently the librarian at the public library in Champerico, Ader’s own history is also checkered with alcohol addiction. Now a respected leader in his local church, Ader immediately put his shoulder to the work. Together they began to look for financial support and people of a similar vision to strengthen the outreach. With the help of friends, Restoration House became a reality, and for the last three years, a small number of men have been helped.

Earlier this year, however, it looked as if the House would need to close down. Donations were down and debts began to hound Wilfredy. Wilfredy and Ader spoke with Samuel España, the General Coordinator for ¨The Association for Integral Development – Saq B’e”. Originally from Champerico himself, Samuel not only understands the situation in this town, but has known Wilfredy and Ader for years. Furthermore, he shares the burden for Champerico. The Association Saq B’e took a careful look at the project and offered to participate in the House, improve the administration and facilitate the formation of a supervisory committee. This board is made up of members of various local evangelical churches and is committed to accompany Wilfredy and Ader in the call to rescue men entangled in addictions and, with God’s help, seek a lasting transformation of individuals … and the community. Word and Deed has agreed to fund part this project for 2007.

The men now receive regular medical and dental care. A Christian psychologist works with them and provides the opportunity to deal with the underlying problems that contributed to the addiction in the first place. Real progress is being made. Devotions are held daily and once the men are at a certain point in the program, they begin attending one of the local churches. The men are currently in a literacy program and will be attending classes to learn about welding and car maintenance every Saturday.

Recently, it was my privilege to attend a board meeting. Samuel opened the meeting with a time of Bible reading in community and prayer. It was encouraging to hear the comments and reflections by the various members on the Scripture portion. There is a genuine desire to understand the Word, be obedient, and apply it in daily life. Towards the end of our meeting, the men returned from a mid-week church service. I was little prepared for what I saw. A little more than two months ago, Alejandro was admitted to the program. Medical folks in Quetzaltenango suggested that we think twice about him, since he was hospitalized with a bleeding ulcer. However, there he was… restored. I had seen another man stagger through the streets during Holy Week. At that time, he was a pitiful sight: no shirt, no shoes, a shaved head, he drooled as he made his way down the middle of the street. Now, as he came in… restored. He took my hand in both of his and in a quiet voice said, “thank you, brother.”

That’s what Restoration House is all about. Thank you, brothers and sisters, for making this a reality.

Pastor Ken Herfst is director of the mission department at the Presbyterian Seminary in Guatemala; and coordinator of the Emergency Relief Committee of Bethel Presbyterian Church, Quetzaltenango, Guatemala.