Fighting the Spiritual Battles

It is a sunny Friday morning on the Farm of Hope. The grass is tall after the recent rain, and the path to the chicken and goats is still muddy. Vitor Peres checks on the chickens and brings food to the sheep– including some carrots, one of their favorites. He walks among the animals, who are happy to be around him.
 
He never would have imagined he would end up liking farm work. The 25-year-old was drifting through life, using drugs to escape a life that felt meaningless. The first months at the farm of Hope were not easy: “I was used to deciding everything on my own and going out whenever I wanted. But I learned that structure and discipline helped me a lot – before, I was super distracted!” 
 
Vitor became aware of the spiritual battles he had to face. The program helped him deepen his faith, mature, and live soberly, journeying together with others. He shares, “Before, I felt alone. Now I ask God for His guidance, and my relationship with Him is growing so much.” Attending Mass is no longer a duty for him but something “I don’t want to miss.”
 
Working with the animals gave him a sense of responsibility. “I noticed that the animals would not come to me when I’m not in a good mood. They sense it immediately! Now I see how they trust me.” He enjoys this work so much that he wants to spend time in Brazil to learn more about farming and animal care before returning to the Farm of Hope to give back. 
 
During his stay, he spent more than five months in Brazil, where he met the founders and heard many conversion stories that inspired him. “I also learned more about the spirituality that inspires the Farms of Hope,” Vitor adds. He learned to raise pigs and bake bread, which helped him discover the value of working with his hands.
 
He will now officially graduate from the program. A Mass of Thanksgiving will be held on Sunday at 11 am at St. Anthony Church in Violet, followed by a reception. Vitor invited everyone battling addiction to try the Farm of Hope: “Give your yes, and let God live in your life,” he advised.
 
To learn more about the Farm of Hope, please contact Jaime Reyna at [email protected].