Is there any hope for someone like me?

 

Is there hope for someone like me?  Elvio ask.  Is there any hope for peace from my past? Is there forgiveness for a murderer?

See my scars.  I fought with my stepfather & he stabbed me then I shoved the knife back into his shoulder. See this scar on my nose? It is from a fight at a one of our religious ceremonies where we were all drunk. I have spent time in prison. My life has been one of fighting & turmoil.  Is there peace or hope for someone like me?

When missionaries moved into the area I wanted to hear what they were teaching about God but my wife didn’t. We fought all the time but I waited, hoping she would change her mind & want to hear too but we finally separated. Then I stole another man’s wife & fled to a community where I had relatives. Finally after about 6 months we went back to our community but everyone was still mad at us but we began building a home. When we had a roof up but no sides we began listening to the missionaries teach the Firm Foundation Bible lessons. We listened very closely to every Bible lesson & took the lesson home so we could read it over & over. We wanted to understand about God.

 

These were very tough weeks for Elvio & Miria as Miria’s children made life miserable for Elvio but they slowly re-building their lives & home. Twice Elvio came to the Bible class with his eyes swelled almost shut from bee stings he received as he was gathering materials for their home. Then he came to class with one eye swelled shut telling us this story. Miria was fishing while he was bathing & she yelled, ‘Look out’ as she yanked a fish in. He turned around just in time for the catfish to flip into his face stabbing him through the eyelid with its fin. He yanked it out himself. He was in a lot of pain but he said, No matter what happens I don’t want to miss a lesson.

Elvio & Miria both have put their faith in Christ & continues to mature in their knowledge & understanding of God & are teaching their own people the Bible lessons.  Today Elvio & Miria have peace & forgiveness from their past & hope of eternal life.