Our Hip-hop Disciple

“Michael, Michael, they’re playing one of Marvin Morazán’s songs on the radio!” Wilmer came rushing down the stairs early on Monday morning, an hour before classes were to begin. Before I had a chance to get to his room to hear the song, the station had moved on…but Wilmer remained excited about it all morning. As I thought about it later in the day, I realized how much that moment encapsulates Marvin’s impact on the Micah Project: whether he is here with us or studying in Costa Rica, he continues to be a huge blessing to us!

In July, Marvin came home on a two week break from Costa Rica, where he finished his first semester at Instituto CanZion, studying music ministry. More than anybody I know, Marvin’s presence lights up a room and his faith inspires everyone around him. In the few days that he spent in Honduras, he helped our younger guys Wilmer and Cristofer record a new song, he volunteered for the Manuelito Project, he encouraged his high school classmate Pedro, he gave two of our morning devotions at the Micah House, and he recorded a new music video with his friend Brian. And this was supposed to be his vacation!

Through all this, his presence encouraged and reenergized those of us who are missionaries with the Micah Project. Our day to day life can be hard as our newest boys fight against the demons that have followed them into the Micah House from the streets. Little Marvin (14) is struggling with all his might against his addiction to yellow glue after having run away a couple of weeks ago to spend a few days with his glue bottle. Hector (13) ran away with Marvin and is still on the streets, unwilling to give up his bottle of yellow glue. One of the other younger boys, who was a part of a band of youth that assaulted people on the streets, still struggles with violent reactions when under stress. And these are just three examples; in reality, all of the guys have their share of struggles as they move towards wholeness and maturity.

All of these challenges are part of the process; and we remind ourselves daily to stay centered on our heavenly Father and His ability to transform these lives that were marked by tragedy at such a young age. We try not to focus too much on how many steps forward or backwards they take on a daily basis…and remember that God’s plan for their lives and His timing in executing that plan is always perfect.

Even so, seeing tangible results in the here-and-now recharges our batteries and reminds us to keep hoping and striving for healing in each one of the guys. Becca calls Marvin Morazán our “hijo gozoso”…our joyful son…because seeing how God is forming him truly does bring us great joy. When we remember that, before coming to the Micah Project, Marvin had to shuttle around to the houses of family members and friends without ever a real place to call home, and that he was even hospitalized at one point for severe depression, it reminds us that "with man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."

The music video that Marvin recorded while he was here illustrates what God is doing in his life. Part of the lyrics go like this:

You are my motivation and I know that in You
my path is sure.
With You, my mourning is finished,
although sometimes doubt invades me,
and my soul murmurs against You,
and I have thoughts that don’t help me and I lose control
and fail you again…
But I remember that the work you have begun in me,
is not finished yet…

You are my motivation, the reason that I live,
It’s because of your love that I keep singing…
You have planned my destiny, and I follow you
follow you
follow you down that path…


Although Marvin sings in a language that you probably don’t speak and in a musical style that you probably don’t like, his passion comes through in the video. I encourage to watch it at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTGeH8uXL8g and to celebrate with us what God is doing in Marvin’s life. They filmed the video at the Leadership House, and Marvin is in the black cap. Use this as an opportunity to pray for Marvin…that God will continue to do great works through him all the days of his life.

We are honored by your continued prayers for the Micah Project, and we ask for your prayers for the country of Honduras as well in a time of great political crisis.

Gracias,

Michael Miller