Before coming to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, I was bound heavily by partying and alcohol. I wasn’t looking to settle down, Marriage was not in my plans. I had seen too many horrible relationships. I was 24 years old and I had lost my ability to trust. Too many times I had witnessed a couple get together, everything was wonderful for a while, but then the fighting the arguing would eventually start. I didn’t want that for myself. I really didn’t care about anybody else, but myself.
All that was on my mind was partying, night clubbing, I stayed out all night with my friends and drank the night away. Of course guys were usually involved when we got together to party.
Sometimes I would wake up not knowing where I was or who I was with.
My friends would have to look out for me because once I started drinking I would not stop! My behavior would get wild and I would get pretty crazy and unpredictable.


Although I was already an adult, I really never gave my future a serious thought. I earned money doing laundry at a convalescent hospital. This was menial work but I really didn’t care. It was income to continue “having fun”. I had completed a cosmetology course but never bothered to go get my cosmetology license. I just never took the time.
I really wasn’t looking for a change in my life, I felt fine just the way I was. I was having a good time, I was happy.
I never really took a good look at myself, Even though I may have looked good on the outside, I was a liar, a cheater and a very selfish person.
I liked the fast life because when I had real time to think, I would begin to feel the emptiness and the hurt that was festering inside of me. I just never wanted to admit it to myself or to others .
Sometimes when I allowed myself to think, I would realize how I was getting older and I still didn’t have a meaningful life. This realization would plunge me into a depression. I can recall one night crying myself to sleep alone in my room. All this was going on in private, but to others I always showed a together, fun loving, partying, front.

My Brothers had begun attending church at New Harvest East San Diego and experienced a major change in their lives, they had accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior, they had gotten “saved”. Even though I saw the change in them was genuine and I could tell they were happy. I still would not admit my need, I wouldn’t let go and surrender.

One of my brothers was getting married, after living with his girlfriend for a few years and fathering a son.
Since getting saved they began to read in God’s word that God doesn’t condone sex outside of marriage, they realized that if they wanted to have God’s blessing in their relationship they needed to make things right. Jesus had done so much already in them individually, that they desired all he had to offer them as a couple, they wanted to commit to each other before God.

I was invited to the wedding, I came expecting a big church, stained glass windows, pews, statues of saints and a large crucifix hanging on the altar. But the church was a storefront building, (upstairs of a little market) that sat about 100 people, As I sat waiting, I wondered, “OK what is this all about, what have they gotten themselves into?”
When the wedding started and the Pastor began to officiate the service, I began to feel what I now know to be God’s presence. I saw the love between my brother and his bride, the newness of their relationship. It was a miracle that I was witnessing. This was the same couple who's relationship had previously consisted of constant arguments, physical fights, infidelity, and separations for days. Here they were making the commitment to love each other exclusively.

The words that the Pastor spoke were so touching ,I remember thinking, “WOW, I’ve never seen a wedding like this before.” suddenly I forgot what the building looked like. I felt God’s presence. There was a purity in this wedding.
The weddings I had attended were quick and everyone kind of just went through the motions, because the real event was the reception, where everyone would dance and drink and party all night. But in this wedding, there was emphasis on the vows and the commitment being made. But most of all there was that beautiful presence, I now know is the Holy Spirit.

With all this I still refused to surrender, I knew that if I gave my life to Jesus Christ that my life would change, I thought I would have to stop having fun. I wanted to continue partying. I thought life as a Christian would be boring.

Thank God, my brothers were so persistent. They just wouldn’t give up on me and constantly invited me to go to church.
One day I finally decided to go with them. God touched me, I accepted the Lord that day. I didn’t experience anything radical, but I opened my heart up to him that day, made a commitment to follow him.

I remember going to a night club after I’d given my life to Jesus and trying to have a good time like I had in the past. No one had to tell me anything, I felt so horrible, I saw all the phoniness, all the mess that was around me, My eyes were wide open! I knew I didn’t belong there anymore! My friend and I both left and I haven’t gone back since.

God patiently began to draw me closer, to reveal himself to me, his love and his ways. It has been almost 6 years! I have not touched alcohol since. I am so thankful to God for setting me free! I haven’t gone partying for over 5 years, not because I can’t, but because I have no desire or need to.
My life is full, I have better things to do. Helping others to know him, Attending church is a joy! I keep my mind on God and he fills me up! I have purpose now, and know my future is in God’s hands. He made me, he knows my purpose. I have peace, knowing that my life counts.
I went and got my cosmetology license and work as a hair dresser, I love my job. God has given me favor with my clients, God willing, I will one day open up my own shop.
I have been blessed tremendously in so many ways. 2 ½ years ago I was privileged to go to Guadalajara to help our missionaries, Last year I went to Puerto Rico , In the future I want to go to Russia and to England.

Who would have known that the joy and peace and fulfillment I longed for would be found in that little church, learning God’s word and telling others about him. I would have thought this was a boring life. But I know better, Because I gave Jesus a chance to prove himself to me.
Now I want to continue to be used by God to tell others the good news, and invite them to come to the building where, even though it doesn't look like a church, God's Spirit Dwells. He welcomes all who come to him, and he does wonderful things in people's lives.