• Erica Rodriguez •
• Originally published March 4, 2010 at midnight, updated March 5, 2010 at 4:15 p.m.

• BROTHERS OF GOD MINISTRIES The group meets at 6:30 p.m. Monday at Catholic War Veterans Hall, 1007 S. Main St., Victoria. For more information on Eric Cavazos or the ministry, contact him at 361-218-7356 or through Facebook at www.facebook.com.brothersofgod.
  BROTHERS OF GOD MINISTRIES -2010-03-05 00:00:00

The phrase "In God I trust" is etched on Eric Cavazos' arm in cursive lettering above a cross wrapped in thorns.

Dark glasses shade his eyes. He has never seen the tattoo, but as his tattoo says, he trusts his sight and body will heal.

About two years ago 30-year-old Cavazos' life changed through tragedy.

"I was shot with 12-gauge shotgun, once in my face here," he said, pointing to his right jaw area. "And once beneath my arm."

Scars are still visible where doctors performed extensive surgery on his face. The injury left him completely blind.

About 3:30 a.m. in September 2008, Cavazos was sitting in the parking lot of Paradise Nightclub at 2505 N. Laurent St., when he was shot.

He was airlifted to San Antonio, where doctors told his family there was little hope.

"The doctors said I wasn't even going to live," he said. "I was supposed to live two hours on that table."

Cavazos was in a coma for three months following the incident. When he came out of the coma, he was unable to walk, talk or see.

He remembers the depression that followed and thoughts that left him teetering on the edge of suicide.

"I was in depression every day, because I thought my life was over with," he said.

In the darkness of his mind, he used prayer and personal strength to pull him through. Since then, he has learned to walk again, speak and has begun a ministry called Brothers of God for local men to find spiritual hope.

Every Monday at the Catholic War Veterans Hall, about 130 men meet for spiritual renewal. No women are allowed, and men often cry together, sing and share their experiences to help strengthen their personal lives.

Cavazos uses his story as an example to other men like 24-year-old Nick Strelow, a former drug dealer who struggled with depression and anger most of his life.

"Eric's story has been a life-changing testimony to my life," he said. "I'm thankful for my life that I can see. He's a great person. He has a huge heart."

Although Cavazos remembers little from the incident, he knows those suspected of committing the crime, but his thoughts for them are surprising.

"I would ask him for forgiveness for having hatred toward him," he said. "You have to forgive others for God to forgive you. The only thing you can do is pray for the guys who shot me or had something to do."

The physical signs of his injury are still present. Cavazos has limited motion in his left arm and walks with a person to guide him. He trusts in God that he will see someday, but until then, he keeps his focus on the ministry.

"And I still hurt every day, but you know I have to have my focus on that," he said. "But these guys here - I get them to help each other, it's a chain reaction, you know. What I do here spreads everywhere else."

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