When darkness overwhelms

Humberto inside of his house

Humberto's life has been a journey filled with love, loss, and unimaginable hardship. For as long as he can remember, he has lived in the same small, close-knit community. Here, he found the love of his life, built a family, and filled his home with joy despite the poverty that surrounded them. His heart belonged to his wife and two children, and they all lived just steps away from his mother’s house, where he had grown up.

But then, his life took a painful turn. It started with a high fever, the beginning of a long and difficult battle with his health. Years passed without answers, as Humberto's body grew weaker. Finally, he was diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition where fluid builds up in the brain—a condition that had no cure. It was during this time, when Humberto needed love and care the most, that tragedy struck again. His wife and children, overwhelmed by his illness, abandoned him.

Yet, in the face of this heartbreak, Humberto was not alone. His mother and sister, with unwavering love, stepped in. They built him a makeshift house in his mother’s backyard, a place to call home. Over time, however, his condition worsened. His eyesight began to fail, and now he can only see faint shadows when the light is just right. The doctors told him that his vision would never return.

Humberto’s current house

In the midst of all this suffering, Humberto has held on to something stronger than fear or despair—his faith. When the Shelter team visited him last June and placed him on the waiting list for a new home, his heart filled with hope. When they confirmed that he would receive a house, he was overjoyed. Humberto believes that when you ask God for help, He listens and He answers, in His own time.

His current house, now more than 11 years old, is falling apart. The roof leaks, the laminate walls are rusting away, and every time it rains, the house floods. In a place where the rainy season lasts for five long months, this makes life nearly unbearable. The darkness inside is so thick that Humberto, with his limited vision, struggles to move around on his own. But even in these difficult conditions, his faith never wavered.

Today, Humberto is filled with gratitude. He knows that God has brought the right people into his life, and soon, he will have a home that is safe, dry, and filled with light. Thanks to the kindness of generous donors, he will no longer have to worry about the rain pouring through his roof or the darkness that surrounds him. His new home, a symbol of hope and love, will be ready before the next rainy season begins. Humberto’s journey reminds us all that even in the darkest moments, there is hope. There is love. And there is the promise of a new beginning.

Humberto with his mother and sister