David and Edie Hicks were ready to return to the United States when we arrived in Mozambique. One of the first things they did was take us to meet some people, one of whom was Fiago, who they introduced you to in the August 2021 issue.

When I first met him, my heart was moved, and I felt tears fall. Despite all the tragedies in his life, Fiago is always grateful, feels blessed and cared for by God and manages to convey joy and peace. Friendly and humble, he knows how to be happy in all circumstances.

Like many his age, when Fiago was younger, he dreamed of traveling to another country in search of new opportunities and seeing new places, growing professionally and financially helping his mother, his only family. He left for South Africa, got a job and prospered. But when everything seemed to be going well, he fell ill. First, he lost some of the movement in his legs. His spine became bent, and he lost part of his vision. When seeking medical help, he discovered that he had advanced-stage tuberculosis. He tried to get the necessary treatments, but it was too late. Alone in another country, he had no choice but to return home to Mozambique.

With help, Fiago built two coconut straw houses on land provided by the government, far from the city, and lived with his mother, who looked after him. She has since passed, and now he lives alone and without help.

Fiago has often gone without anything to eat. Houses made of straw, like Fiago’s, get damaged very quickly, becoming full of holes where rats enter. They eat his food, and sometimes they even bite his feet, causing injuries. Despite all these difficulties and illnesses, he does everything himself: cooks, washes clothes and travels to the hospital.

Before they left, David and Edie asked us to continue helping Fiago, and every month we bring food and some money to help him with medicine and some basic needs.

Fiago accepted Jesus into his life and hopes to see him return. He continues to serve Jesus, teaching what he learns, always asking us for evangelistic books to give to the people in his village and talking about Christ’s love for others.

Fiago inspires us to continue preaching the love of Christ and the hope of seeing Him return as soon as possible. His life reminds us of Philippians 4:12: “I know what it’s like to be in need and I know what it’s like to have plenty. I learned the secret of living contentedly in everything and in any situation, whether well fed, hungry, with a lot, or in need.”

• Twitter