TESTIMONY

Why I Got Involved in Drugs

Ismael Garcia

My experience with drugs and alcohol began when I was 11 years old, and it was very bad. I tried cocaine and alcohol without my parents knowing. Sadly, I didn’t realize that my friends were a bad influence. When I was using drugs, they invited me to use with them, and over time I realized that drugs had destroyed me. I lost my family and found myself alone on the streets. Trying to fill the emptiness and pain inside me, I turned to drug addiction.

Many times, those of us who live this lifestyle keep deeply personal things to ourselves and don’t share them with anyone. For years, we carry a silence inside that we share with no one because if we open up to our friends, they ignore us or laugh at how we feel. That’s why we have to keep up appearances, pretending to be someone we’re not.

The time came when I grew tired of the life I was living and set my pride aside. I sought help at some rehab homes in the city of Winton, CA. There, they guided me to learn about Jesus Christ, and I decided to give my life to Him. He forgave me, transformed me, and now I am a new creation of God. Now I can say

sincerely that I am happy in Christ Jesus.

The emptiness I had without Jesus, He filled, and now I have an identity in Christ Jesus. Remember, all is not lost—there is hope! Come to Jesus and you will find peace. If Jesus Christ did it for me, when I used to walk the streets talking to myself and couldn’t escape that miserable life, I want you to know that God can do it for anyone, no matter their circumstances.

All they need is to want to make that change in their life.

2 Corinthians 5:17

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation;

the old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new

Ismael García