Significant Events in my life:
I was born April 26, 1956, in Los Angeles, California, at Queen of Angels Hospital and raised in East L.A. In 1962, when I was 6 years old, Mama and Pop moved to La Puente, California. My brother Brian was born in 1962; my brother Albert in Sept. of 1964. Albert was a true likeness of my mom. Mama was diagnosed with breast cancer and given about six months to a year to live. We tried to make the most of it.
Fifth grade brought me face to face with Mrs. Howzell, my teacher, who was an example of the thunderous and “mighty God” that Isaiah knew. She worked with compassion and diligence and with a power I would 25 years later call “of God” to supplement all that my father did not understand to do for me.
While in elementary school, I’d become a Cub Scout and had gotten all my ranks completed to become Webelos in preparation to be a Boy Scout in junior high. My mom had always wanted me to do well in all the things I took on, or to get out and not waste time with it. I stayed with it through junior and senior high and eventually attained the rank of Eagle Scout.
In 1970, I entered La Puente High. In 1974, I took a combined program of Sociology and Civil Engineering(five year program, two degrees) at the University of Notre Dame in Indiana. After graduation, I fell further into the miry pit. Alcohol had by now fully consumed my spirit; I was no longer my own but belonged to the drug. It would be my comfort, and my downfall, in the coming years. By then, I was married. My wife and I moved to Arizona for her to be able to pursue her education. In four years, we would be divorced.
After I left my wife, I entered into another relationship which produced a beautiful daughter, Mara. In 1990, when I was 33, I found out that my Pop wasn’t my biological father, but had adopted me when he married my Mama. My second marriage soon fell apart as my wife and I each developed new friendships. In 1992 we separated, and in four months, the marriage was finished.
God was so merciful in my trial. He directed me , not to the man who was my pastor at the time, but to the brother I now call pastor; the same man who had given me money and wise counsel in a previous time of turmoil. He came and taught me about God’s love in a few short minutes on a Saturday, while I was in the hospital in a depressed state. On Sunday, I went to church, medicated and not fully aware, but still I felt God’s conviction. The following Sunday, I went to church again. As the man of God preached, I was again sorely convicted and fell to the altar in repentance, asking God’s forgiveness. Immediately, I was filled with the Holy Ghost and began to speak in tongues. My friend asked, “Isn’t this great!?” My answer was to ask to be baptized, for I knew I would go to hell with the sin of my life not washed away. Having repented, been filled with the Holy Spirit and been baptized in Jesus’ name,( following the command in Acts 2:38), I began the walk with God that I have today.
Since that day, I’ve been able to direct and teach a drug and alcohol rehab program, become an Elder in the church, preach and teach, remarry, foster and adopt 4 children, and gain influence in the community as both a family counselor, and a drug and alcohol counselor. On occasion, I’ve been asked to preach for pastors in other communities. God has made a way for me in all areas of my life to minister and to teach “in season and out of season” wherever I go. |
