Radko’s family needed help, but he couldn’t do anything with his body and mind fallen apart. It was too much pressure. He needed a drink to drown his sorrows, maybe a cigarette to escape his pain. He gathered the pictures and started dismantling the frames.
He could sell them for a few pennies. The people in the photos were strangers to him anyway.
A Crumbling Family
Six mouths were a lot to feed. Magali plucked tea leaves in the fields for hours, but $2 a day wasn’t enough to provide basic necessities for four daughters and a husband—if he were home; that was never a guarantee. 1
Thankfully, the estate provided a house for them rent-free, but the family had other needs as well. Magali had to scrape together wherever she could. Often, she kept her daughters home from school because transportation to the village was too expensive. Between low funds and frequent sickness in the cold mountain climate, the girls missed class regularly.
The girls also missed their father. Radko often disappeared at night, and sometimes Magali wouldn’t see him for days. When he actually took masonry jobs, he squandered his earnings on liquor and tobacco. Radko’s physical health suffered because of his drinking, and since his nervous breakdown, his mind had deteriorated as well. Radko never smiled anymore.
Radko’s behavior brought Magali and their girls anxiety and shame, a common struggle for those with an alcoholic relative. 2 The way Radko neglected work responsibilities and home life because of alcohol drove a wedge between the family. 3
Some days, Magali saw neighbors or friends lead a staggering Radko toward her house, right out in the open for everyone to see. Unfortunately, Radko’s wandering to the neighbors’ homes was becoming a common occurrence. His prolonged drinking had eroded his memory, resulting in confusion. Magali had received multiple complaints about him being a burden to the community as he wandered from place to place, looking for his family. The neighbors suggested she send Radko to a mental hospital.
Magali’s possessions had been sold off, her husband sometimes didn’t know who she was, and her children hardly had a father, but there were simpler, more urgent, things to worry about.
Six mouths were a lot to feed.
A Hopeless Decision
Radko wandered through the streets, penniless and no bottle in sight. He had no money and no alcohol, only frustration at the struggles his life afforded. He came to a public bus stand and settled himself on the bench. No one came near him, but that was fine. Radko didn’t want to meet anyone.
Buses came and went. The stand emptied and filled.
Radko fell in and out of sleep, despite the noise of the street. The hard bench pressed against his body, an unceremonious bed for his last night.
The cold, misty weather had seeped into his bones long ago, but what did it matter if his fingers were stiff? He’d made up his mind. By this time tomorrow, he would end his life.
A Pastor’s Compassion
GFA pastor Adahy left his church, the air chilling his face as he headed to his child’s school. However, as Adahy passed a bus stop, he noticed a man huddled on the bench inside. The pastor called out to the man and approached him. Even before reaching the bench, Adahy could smell the stench.
Drawing closer, Pastor Adahy recognized the man. Radko had once done some construction and masonry work at the church.
Dirt and stains covered Radko’s clothes. When was the last time he had bathed? He looked miserable.
Pastor Adahy asked why Radko was sitting alone at the bus stand. Radko spoke of everything he remembered: his nervous breakdown, his alcohol addiction, wandering in search of his family—he even admitted to planning suicide. Then Radko asked the pastor to pray that God would save him.
Pastor Adahy had a heart to help people in need of God’s love. Living among the townspeople allowed Pastor Adahy an unobstructed view of Radko’s struggles that day, and he was happy to intercede, praying fervently for God to save Radko’s life. Afterward, Pastor Adahy motioned to his auto rickshaw as he offered to take the man home.
A Family Reunited
Magali hadn’t seen Radko in a few days. It wasn’t uncommon, but she still must have worried. Had something happened to him? How would the girls react if he never came home?
Someone came to the door. It was Radko and another man. Relief and gratitude washed over Magali and their daughters.
The path to her home wasn’t easily accessible. The pastor would have had to hike through the tea bushes up the mountain to bring Radko home. Pastor Adahy’s kindness might have been overwhelming if Magali hadn’t been so happy to have Radko safe at home.
Pastor Adahy was glad to see Radko settled with his wife and daughters. As the pastor left, Radko promised to go to his church.
A New Beginning
True to Radko’s promise, the following Sunday, he, Magali and their four girls arrived at Pastor Adahy’s church. The believers warmly welcomed them, in sharp contrast to the disgust Radko had experienced from other neighbors. Together, the church members prayed for the family, especially for Radko’s healing and the restoration of his memory.
Peace washed over Radko. He felt he’d been given a fresh start, and he wasn’t going to waste it. Radko vowed to stop drinking, and by the grace of God, any urge to drink disappeared.
“I thank and praise God for His love for me,” Radko said, “and for ordained Pastor Adahy, who came in search of me and prayed for my life to change.”
As Radko recovered, he realized how empty his house was from selling everything off. It must have strengthened his resolve to change his behavior. He returned to work in the village, using his earnings to provide for his family instead of spending it on alcohol.
To their daughters’ delight, Radko came home every evening and no longer struggled to remember them. It filled Magali with joy to see Radko smile again and make such positive changes. After enduring so much shame, she couldn’t believe that that Radko had transformed into such a good man.
“Since the day [Pastor Adahy] prayed for me at the public bus stand,” Radko said, “I have changed all my ways and got rid of my ugly habits.”
At a time when I thought my life was coming to an end, I got a new life in the Lord
After attending Pastor Adahy’s church for three weeks, Radko found freedom in Christ and committed to follow Him. Now, Radko prays at home with his family, and Pastor Adahy visits often to pray with them as well.
“After believing that the Lord Jesus is my Savior and following the teachings of the church,” Radko said, “I am experiencing God’s blessings. At a time when I thought my life was coming to an end, I got a new life in the Lord. I got a second chance to live with my family as a better person and be an example to my family and neighbors. I thank God for His goodness to me.”
You Can Offer a Beacon
If Pastor Adahy hadn’t talked to a miserable man at the bus stand, Radko might have ended his life without ever knowing the love of Christ. Through the kindness of a national missionary, Radko was able to rebuild his habits, his family and his life. He now has the opportunity to live as an example and living testimony to his community.
By sponsoring a national missionary, you can help save lives through Christ’s love. Pastor Adahy was a beacon of hope in a moment of despair, eventually leading Radko to gain freedom from his addictions and freedom and restoration in Christ. You can partner with national missionaries and offer that beacon for countless others.
