Peniel (named after the place where Jacob wrestles with God) is the mens center that we work with to sponsor men that want to enter treatment for their addictions. It is a place that allows men to get away from their surroundings and have a genuine encounter with the God of the universe. For 6 months the men are discipled and taught how to not only live a clean life but how to be the man that God created them to be. They also work while they are there to help offset the cost of the ministry.

The grounds at Peniel are well manicured – full of plants and animals

Peniel sits on 50+ acres. In their spare time the guys are encouraged to go out and find God in the landscape here.

There is fields and fields of crops to help feed the guys while they are here

The city of Granada is filled with people that are struggling with addictions. From 50 year old alcoholics to 10 year boys addicted to sniffing glue, addiction has ravished the city. Sadly, there are no treatment centers in the entire city so the ministry we work with sponsors men to go to Peniel which is about 45 minutes outside of the city of Granada. With so many people struggling and with poverty, you can imagine that there is a lot of interest in sponsorship. We have a process that allows us to get to know the guys before we send them and we also encourage them to join in the ministries that we are involved in. My hope is that some of them figure out that they can stay clean without going to Peniel.

The buildings are covered with graffiti art. This one says “Jehova Lives”.

This art symbolizes what happens here – the captives are set free!

Bacon anyone? Peniel raises a lot of their own food. This pig weighed over 300 pounds!

Mario talking with the director and owner of Peniel, pastor Frank

Currently we have three guys at Peniel going through the program. Here’s their pictures so you can pray for them:

Last week I met a guy that we’ll called Adam, this is part of his story.

Adam grew up in a wealthy family by Nicaraguan standards. His father owns two pharmacies here in Granada. Growing up Adam had an older brother that he looked up to and admired. In his late teens his brother began to use drugs and when his father found out he was using, he kicked him out of the house. Adam remembers letting his brother come in at night to borrow clothes and sleep under his bed. Things began to look up for Adam’s brother when he met a girl. He stopped using as much and was beginning to build back the trust and love that his father once had for him.

This all changed when Adam’s brother found out that his girlfriend was cheating on him. He began to use heavier than before and within 20 days he hung himself. After this happened Adam was devastated and a “friend” offered him some drugs with the promise that it would make him “forget what had happened”. Adam’s using became more and more out of control and he begun to steal from the cash register while working at his father’s store. When his father found out he kicked Adam out of the house.

(more…)