Children living in the poorest areas of Honduras are forced to toughen up fast. Honduras is geographically surrounded by the world’s largest drug-producing and drug-consuming countries, and the country’s people are susceptible to violence and crime simply because of where they live.

Children’s lives are endangered by gang violence. In Honduras, “pandillas” (street gangs) often recruit young children - and young boys, in particular - to join local turf wars.

Miguel* was one of those boys. He joined a gang at a very young age because he didn’t think he had another option. “I was a member of a gang…where we did many wrong things,” he recalls. “We skipped school, harassed students and beat them up. We fought with our rivals…with guns and knives.”

Then Miguel received a Bible thanks to the support of American Bible Society financial partners. He read about God’s love and forgiveness, and his life was changed for good.

“The Word of God has transformed me,” he says. “I was so excited to get my Bible. We conquer everything with God’s Word. Thanks to the New Testament, I feel more courage to serve God.”

Through a message of hope in Christ, God’s Word is transforming the lives of youth like Miguel all around the world.

*Named changed to protect identity.