In Honduras, a father of eight whose search for work took him far from his family finds a new perspective and new faith when he feels Christ speaking to him through the World Vision staff in his community.
Francisco Rodriguez, 42, is learning to live out his faith and care for his family. A decade ago, Francisco’s life had been a different story. He often left home in the Yamaranguila region to find work in the town of La Esperanza, in western Honduras. He took any work he could find, usually construction. When he wasn’t working, he was drinking. His disappearances kept loved ones on edge.
“It’s the church that has changed us and shown us that men and woman are worth exactly the same in the eyes of the Lord and that we have exactly the same rights,” Francisco says. His wife, Carmen Arriago, says she is grateful for Francisco’s transformation. She says she never knew what was going to happen next when Francisco left for work and stayed away.
“It was really, really a difficult life,” Carmen says. Inspired by Father Lucio’s teaching, Francisco started attending church regularly in 2003. When Francisco’s relationship with Father Lucio grew, the priest asked Francisco to take on a leadership role. From then on Carmen remembers her husband “was touched by God, so he could change.” Carmen often holds back tears when she acknowledges the life-changing work that has taken place in her family. “Every day I thank God, because this has totally changed every step I take.”
In 2003, World Vision also invited Francisco to participate in agricultural training. Francisco had land, but it lay uncultivated because Francisco traveled so often to La Esperanza for work. Soon Francisco was equipped to grow crops on his land, and he embraced the opportunity to support his family without traveling to the city with all its temptations.
Spending time with children grew more important to Francisco. “There are many people who are tired of life, but we aren’t. We all have the drive to continue developing and to continue forth. And so, we’re very happy and satisfied,” Francisco says.
As Francisco participated in work in his community, he says he began to see how faith in Christ motivated others. As a result, Francisco’s own faith began to grow.
The Rodriguez family works together in their fields of corn, radishes, and beans. “When you work together it really motivates you to continue to grow,” Francisco says. “All this is a result of the training that we have received.”
The man who used to disappear and keep his family on edge now spends time working and praying with his family. He even makes time to play with his children. “Every day I thank God, because this has totally changed every step I take,” Carmen says.
Their only son, 9-year-old Ever Francisco, was born just as Francisco’s life began to change. He attends many of the spiritual trainings with his father. “I think that he is learning all this and that is what will make a better man out of him,” Francisco says.
The family has blossomed and grown more confident. “It’s been a transformation that is incredible, and every day I thank God because this has totally changed every step I take,” Carmen says.
