In the June 2008 issue of the E-news, we introduced you to Mike Martinez, a young man who came to us for help beating his meth addiction and cutting his ties with the wrong crowd. “It’s scary the first time you go to jail,” says Mike. “But after that you get used to it. At least it’s three hot meals and a bed.” Such was Mike's outlook prior to the day he came across a flier introducing him to the Orange County Rescue Mission.

Mike thought it might be a good place to sleep, and get a hot meal. At first he didn’t pay attention to what he called “the religious talk,” but his chaplain kept telling him about the power of prayer. Mike hadn’t been at the Mission long before he discovered that prayer really does work. He used to blame others for his problems, but now he realizes he was the one who had been messing up all along.

Today, Mike is sober and he goes to church regularly. And he has a renewed relationship with his son. But we’re happy to report that not only has Mike left the drug and gang scene behind, but he’s also received his commercial driver license and begun work driving a van for a moving company.

“I’m happy to be able to move forward and start saving money for my own place,” Mike says. “The Mission helped me take the driving class, pass the test and find this job. I feel very fortunate. I know a lot of people are not working now. I really appreciate people caring enough about me to give me the help I needed. Coming here saved my life!”