Boy Imprisoned at 8 Years Old, Until...

Not too long ago, Pacifique Niyitanga was roaming the streets of Rwanda, doing almost anything to survive. He has memories of a past filled with uncertainty.

But that was the past. 

"You are Precious" is the tune Pacifique and two other former street boys are singing to God today. They have hope and joy they didn't know existed when they survived on the streets.

Pacifique never knew his father and he lost his mother when he was only 3 years old. With no one to care for him, and no opportunity to go to school, he started working at a very young age.

By the time he was 8-years-old, he was on the streets of Kigali stealing in order to get food to survive. At that young age, he was looking for ways deal with his physical and emotional hunger. He thought drugs might be the answer.

"I took the drugs to make me free from the sadness," he said.

Pacifique got arrested and put in prison when he was only 8 years old. In prison, he was beaten and often went days without food.

He eventually escaped and went back to live on the streets, without much hope for a future.

Until Hope for Life Ministry went to the market where Pacifique spent most of his time. The ministry was there to rescue street kids.

Although Pacifique was not on the list of kids to be rescued by the ministry that day, they took him.

"They took me because of plan of God for me," Pacifique said of how his life changed.

Today Pacifique's life is very different. For the past five years Hope for Life Ministry has provided food, shelter, formal education, and training for his future career.

But more than that, the ministry has shared God's love with Pacifique and his friends, a love that has transformed them forever.

Pacifique now speaks with confidence of his future.

"Yeah, I think God has a plan for me. Before in the streets I was sad, but now there is a difference. I'm hopeful for a good future," he said.

Pacifique and two of his friends formed a gospel band called Shining Hope. Their first song, "You are Precious," speaks about the joy of knowing God.