April 5th, 2018

I grew up in Las Vegas in a family where it was normal to use drugs and alcohol as a family. By age 12, I was drinking, using cocaine and acid, and by age 14 or 15, I was a full-blown addict.

Going to church with my Mom was part of my childhood, but as drugs took over my life, I quit going. I also dropped out of high school and became detached from everyone and everything. As I felt more isolated, lonely and frustrated, I knew I needed to change, but I didn’t know where to start.

When my Mom died of breast cancer at age 47, I asked God why He took her and let me live. I was at rock bottom when I heard God’s voice encouraging me to look at my life. I knew God would forgive me, and through that forgiveness, I could change and get my dignity back.

I quit drugs and alcohol one week prior to coming to the Las Vegas Rescue Mission to prove I was serious about making a change.

I joined the Resident Recovery program in April 2015 and graduated in October 2016. Cooking is a passion of mine, and I’m now a cook at the Mission. Now at age 47, the same age as my Mom at her death, I have my life back and I am looking forward to seeing what God has next in store for me.

• Brandon

If you would like to donate to LVRM to help people like John find hope, click here.