“When I started using drugs, I didn’t think of the consequences it’ll lead me. I lost my job, apartment, belongings and most important of all, my daughter and my pregnant wife. A year in this program has changed my life; I have my wife and kids back, their trust, a good relationship with them. I’m sober, have a relationship with God, and I’m happier than I’ve ever was. God’s never early, God’s never late – He’s always on time.”

 

 

Pablo made a  noble act of sacrifice for his family at 15, started to  live the American dream, but life took  a turn for the worse. He found Union Rescue Mission and  changed his life, for the love of a family.

 

 

 

A Family Man

From first impressions, Pablo seems like a very ordinary man in his late twenty’s. He is married, has a young daughter, and works as a painter for his cousin’s company. Pablo’s parents are nearby and their family gathers often for times together - Pablo is fully present and attentive at these precious times. “I love my family.” But, there was a time when Pablo’s mind was in another place.  

 

Noble Act of Sacrifice

When Pablo was thirteen, his parents moved their family from Central America to Los Angeles, looking to build a stable life. He and his brothers attended school and his parents found work. For two years, Pablo went to high school, got really good grades and was eventually offered a scholarship – but when he received the offer letter, Pablo was no longer in school because he had joined the workforce. “I dropped out of high school to help my parents… My dad didn’t ask or push me… even my mom didn’t want me to drop out of school…but I wanted to help because they needed it, because the money just wasn’t enough.” Being the second oldest child, Pablo held a strong sense of responsibility for his family and looked out for the interests of others, “My younger brothers had a while to go in school, but I wanted to help.” So Pablo worked as a painter for the next twelve years.

 

  Hard to Keep a Life

Life was good for Pablo over the next three years; he was working full-time, helping his his parents, meeting people (including his future wife), going to church, and enjoying life with his friends. One day a friend offered him a drink at a party. Soon it was normal for Pablo to drink socially and that is when it started. “When I was eighteen, I started drinking. When I was nineteen, I starting drinking and using cocaine – that’s when everything changed. I was making pretty good money but, I was spending it all in drugs.” Pablo still worked almost every day, partying in his free time, and creating a drug and alcohol dependency that would cost him his family relationships. “There was physical abuse and I couldn’t take it anymore. I left him when I was 7 months pregnant. It was very hard,” his wife shared with Union Rescue Mission.

 

  At the End

Over the next six years, the addiction progressed to a dangerous level scaring Pablo so much one day that he told a co-worker, “I’m too deep in drugs – I can’t do it anymore.” His cousin recommended Union Rescue Mission. Finally, the drug habit took the best of him. “I lost my job, my possessions, but most importantly, my family; my pregnant wife and my daughter. My mom and my father? I was about to lose them too because of my addiction – that’s why I really came.” Pablo came to Union Rescue Mission in the fall of 2005, accompanied by his family. “I love my family – yeah, that’s why I came.”

 

  Eyes Open

Pablo joined the men’s   Christian Life Discipleship Program for the next year. “He took his program very seriously to the point where he believed God to restore him,” his chaplain shared. Pablo’s journey to recovery was unique – he had his family’s support for the whole year.  “It was easier with the support of my family,” Pablo admits, “My eyes opened.” Pablo’s wife witnessed this, “Since the first week that he was there, I saw changes in him. The second week when I went to see him, I saw a light in his eyes. Now, it was a total change… everything … he’s more interested in doing things with his family.”

 

  For the Love of a Family

 

When Pablo graduated in the Fall 2006, it was a full picture of family reconciliation – all of his family was there to celebrate.

“CLDP gave me the tools to really get right with my family. I have a good relationship with my wife. I have a good relationship with my kids. I have a good relationship with my parents. I like to be with them, they like to be with me. I want to be with them, I don’t want to be with my friends drinking - I just want to be with them. Now that I’ve changed, I feel their love. Yeah, they’ve always loved me because I’m their son and husband, but I didn’t realize it before.”

 

    “My daughter loves me - before she didn’t.” She didn’t want to play with him, Juan admits ashamed, “Because I wasn’t there-I was in another world.” Now, Juan is fully engaged and his wife agrees, “Now she has fun with him. He pays more attention. It’s been a big change. A big change in him.”