“A Better Man”
I was bound to be addicted to something, even from an early age. I grew up in a dysfunctional household, even though it was a loving home. After arriving in Jacksonville in 1987, I was living a chaotic life, driven by my addictions. I had passed by the New Life Inn on State Street and told myself that I would never end up there. I had no idea that my help was inside that building.
I ended up being homeless and having to stay at City Rescue Mission. I remember attending chapel and seeing people with badges on, praising God, and looking so happy. It turns out that they were in the program. I said, “This is something that I need”, so I spoke with staff and entered the program for the first time in 1998. I got a job and relapsed. I didn’t stay lost long because I knew where to get help. I went back to the Mission and stayed for two years. I started working for City Rescue Mission in housekeeping and felt a little bit of responsibility. However, I never dealt with the underlying issues that sent me back to the addictions. I went back into the program 3 or 4 more times, but I never gave up.
In 2012, I wanted a total change. I surrendered to God and said, “God, you have to do this for me.” He did. My life changed. My character changed. My attitude about myself changed and I saw myself as a man of God. I started taking responsibility for the things that I did.
The Mission made me a better person and a better man. I am grateful to City Rescue Mission for everything. Not only did I learn about myself and develop into the leader that I was born to be, but I was able to receive dental and medical care that I wouldn’t have been able to receive. City Rescue Mission is the reason that I was able to get a job at Nimnicht Chevrolet. I am forever grateful for the people that God put in my life through the City Rescue Mission.
