Thirteen-year-old José lives with nine other family members in the low-income housing project of Villa Dignidad in Managua, Nicaragua. There, you’ll find his parents, five brothers, nephew, and sister-in-law. When the family’s old neighborhood flooded, making it unlivable, they had no choice but to move to this housing development.

The young teen’s parents have always worked hard to provide for the large family by making and selling tortillas. It hasn’t always been easy, but José and his family have still found hope. He notes, “My childhood was very limited and scarce, but we have strived to live happily as a family.”

Since his parents and two older siblings have always worked, José has cared for his younger siblings, “for as long as I can remember.” He explains, “To this day, I continue to take care of and protect them from those who want to hurt them. They are now 11, 5, and 3 years old.”

José has been going to church and taking his younger siblings along with him since he was little. At the young age of five, he accepted Christ as his Savior. But when one of his teachers at church invited him to a Bible League Project Philip Bible study, José saw his faith grow deeper. He really enjoys the study and has been sharing what he is learning with his brothers. He says, “What has impacted my life the most is that through these books, I know God, I know His commandments.” While studying God’s Word, José realized he needed to improve his relationship with his parents. He reveals, “I blamed them for our poverty, but now I am aware of the tremendous effort they made to keep us going and bring us here. I am more aware of my family’s needs.”