A beacon of hope
Miguel had reached a point in his life where nothing seemed to go right. He was 36 and owned a barbershop in the San Roque area of Lima, Peru.
Lately he had been feeling sad, discouraged, and gripped by a fear for the future. He remembered the many falls and stumbles along his journey and wondered, "Who am I?"
From his childhood, Miguel’s life had been shadowed by hardship. He had spent most of his time on the street, caught in a cycle of problems. He recalled watching pornography, using drugs, and getting involved with gangs and crimes. His aggressive, impulsive nature and bad temper only added to his struggles, and the rejection he felt from his often-absent parents left him feeling lost and alone, living in sin.
But one day a local church, Misión Cristiana Luz Divina, led by one of our ministry partners Pastor Victor Rojas, was holding an evangelism event near the Jorge Chavez train station, and everything changed.
Miguel’s barbershop was right in front of the station, and he had often seen the church’s gatherings and overheard snippets of their message. But this time something stirred within him—a curiosity that urged him to attend one of their meetings that Saturday.
As he listened to the message, a profound realization washed over him: he had never been alone. Through the ups and downs of his life’s journey, even in the darkest times, God had always been by his side, caring for him.
In that moment, Miguel accepted the Lord into his heart as his one and only Saviour. The brothers at the church invited him to attend regularly, and soon he was there with his wife and daughters, welcomed with great affection by pastors Victor and Roberto and the entire congregation.
Under their guidance, Miguel learned to pray and align his mind with the Lord. God transformed Miguel’s life, making him a living testimony not only to his family but also to his clients at the barbershop. Now, he proudly shares the story of what God had done for him. He even displays the Esperanza (Hope) magazine so his clients can read its messages and discover God’s promises while they wait. Using this evangelistic tool, and the time he has with his clients while cutting their hair, Miguel is always ready to share the Good News about what God has done in his life and invite others to receive the same hope he received.
Now, as Miguel reflects on his journey, he says, "Now I live peacefully, happily, I am not afraid, I am free, God is healing me because I know that I have received HIS SALVATION”. His life, once filled with despair, now radiates hope and renewal—a beacon for his family and community alike.
