Ricky

True Belief

I would like to start off by thanking my Lord and Savior for seeing me through life. I was diagnosed with cancer at the age of sixteen. The doctors told me that I would not live to see nineteen, but by God’s grace, I did. Around that time I married the love of my life. Even though I caused her a lot of pain, she has never given up on me. I’m sixty-two now. From nineteen to now, I have battled alcoholism and drug addiction. I started drinking and doing drugs to cope with the cancer and loss of family members that I loved. In my early twenties, I remember asking God questions you may have asked Him – “Why me?” and “Why are you doing this to me?”

Eventually my addiction took over my life and led me to prison, separating me from my wife and family. I felt like everyone and everything was against me. It was them who had the problems. Then one day I realized the problem was me – not other people. They were just trying to help me.

When I was released from prison, I still hadn’t conquered my addiction. It wasn’t long before I went to my dealer to get a fix, but to my surprise, they wouldn’t sell me anything. They told me to fix myself or get some help so I decided to come to the Mission. I started the life recovery program to only leave shortly after beginning. I had so many fears and insecurities. I hadn’t been free from my addictions for many, many years.

However, I came back hoping for a second chance and praise God, received one. I was brought back into the program last year on Thanksgiving Day and haven’t left! Through God’s grace and the support of our ministry staff, I’m in the third quarter of the year long program and hope to graduate in November. In spite of my addiction and health problems, I can testify that God loves you, forgives you, and will never leave you.

– Ricky Johnson