In 1999, at the age of 30, I came to a Drug Alternative Program,
completed the program and graduated in 2001. Upon graduation, I was
employed by the co-founders of the program, Cliff and Freddie Harris. I
was hired as House Manager and Lawn Supervisor.
After getting
married in 2001, my wife and I purchased a home in Redlands, CA. I was
promoted to Assistant Program Director at DAP (Drug Alternative
Program). This was the happiest time in my life, not having a
mind-altering chemical in my body. I had a beautiful Christian wife,
lovely home, a car that I had never wrecked, and money in the bank. In
2003, our son was born bringing us the joyful experience of parenthood. I
loved my job that I had held for three years. Most important, Jesus was
the Center of my life. In the past, I didn't know or even care about
God at all.
After 4 1/2 years of sobriety, I relapsed on pain
medication due to a back injury. I had relapsed in the past but this one
was the worst yet. I went down fast and hard. I awakened a demon inside
of me again as I stopped praying, studying the Bible and attending
church. I was running on self-will.
Within a year, I had lost the
job I loved, the woman and child I loved, and my home. My drug addiction
took me to the streets of San Bernardino where I lived like an animal,
killing myself fast this time because the guilt and shame was too much
to bare. Jesus kept me alive on those streets for seven months.
One
day I asked my ex-wife for a bus ticket to Tennessee where my family
lived. I knew I would die if I didn't break the cycle of my addiction.
In Tennessee, I continued to drink alcohol, smoke marijuana and pop
pills. I was arrested and spent four months in the county jail. While
incarcerated, I had lots of time to think.
Ten whole years had passed.
I
remembered the DAP "School of Christ", the place where I met Jesus,
developed a personal relationship with Him and became an asset to those
around me. I wrote Mr. & Mrs. Harris from jail and asked if they
would take me back into the program.
My friend, listen to the work
of the Holy Spirit: Mrs. Harris intercedes daily for the graduates and
clients calling us all by name. Six months prior to hearing from me, I
was heavy on her heart. She began to pray profusely for me begging God
to save my life and let me contact them.
While out of town, she
was told that a letter from me arrived. Hearing my name made her shout
aloud with "tears of joy". She knew that letter was a direct answer to
her prayers. Immediate plans were made for my return to the program. God
worked several miracles within a few days. I was on supervised
probation and was granted permission by the court to leave the state.
The
answer came in one day. I had no money for a bus ticket to California.
Mrs. Harris shared my story with Jim & Dorothy Valcarcel, major
donors and close friends. They decided to invest in me by paying for my
"airline" ticket and tuition. I met them on the day of my arrival at
DAP's 20th Anniversary Celebration. I was overwhelmed with God's love
through these two people. What a "warm" welcome I received from the rest
of my DAP family and friends at that momentous occasion!