Dear Family Member:
We have discovered that in planning the advancement of the overall makeover of the property, as well as developing plans for building the first house; this has become an arduous task and a slow process. Along with the rapid economic growth and development taking place in Northern Huntsville, comes a lot of ‘red tape’ and added waiting time with acquiring city ordinances and permits. This shortage also impacts the number of building professionals available. However, despite the shortage of building professionals, the land and property development are still moving forward, by faith. Currently, we are excitedly awaiting the architect’s vision for the renovation of the entire property.
The Preliminary Engineering Drainage Report was prepared and submitted to the City Engineering Department for the project. It defines the existing drainage conditions and begins to establish the drainage requirements for the new development. We currently contracted with a company to have the drainage pipe and driveway installed for entrance into the property.
We remain optimistic that God will continue to direct and provide the necessary resources to fully develop the property to His glory. Thank you so much for your benevolent giving in support of this grand project. As financial details are received, we will share the specific costs with you.
We appreciate your persistent prayers and can truly feel God’s encouragement through them. Please keep your prayers going as we forge this path together. Daily, we are reminded of God’s miracles and His ability to move mountains. “Is there anything too hard for God?” (Jeremiah 32:27) What He asks us to do; He will always provide the means and the way to accomplish His mission. It’s always about service for others, “I will make you fishers of men.” (Mark 1:17)
Meet Aaron Ojeda, a former DAP client who recently contacted me on Facebook Messenger. I was so excited to hear from him after so many years. The last time we spoke, Aaron was so inebriated, and I feared for his life. Every conversion is a miracle and Aaron is indeed God’s miracle in God’s timing. Listen to his story…
Hello, my name is Aaron Ojeda. I am 46 years-old from Los Angeles, CA. My story shows the power of Jesus Christ.
At the age of 12, I was introduced to malt liquor. I attended grade school in Lynwood, CA as a minority student. I didn’t fit in. However, a few people became my friends. The first time I drank, I loved it and it felt good. At that time, I didn’t have a dad in my life to instruct me on what was good and what was bad. My mom was barely surviving with three kids. At that age, I couldn’t see or even hear Jesus. But I could taste and feel that old “English 800” malt liquor. Although I was with people of my own skin color, I STILL didn’t fit in. I met Demon, so he called himself. Through him I was introduced to drugs including speed, angel dust, cocaine, weed, mushrooms, anything that felt good. Homosexuality even showed its ugly face but, in my mind, that wasn’t for me. Then women jumped on the scene. When we put ourselves in a drug infested life, we start to deal with ungodly spirits. Twice I had encounters with Satan worshippers, but God protected me.
Growing up I saw and heard sexual activities that I shouldn’t have been exposed to and I was so confused. As a little kid, I was molested and that just added to my confusion. I was constantly feeling sorrow, hate, anger and I wanted PEACE. I constantly looked for things that would make me feel good. Along the way as I was constantly getting loaded, people were telling me about Jesus and God. I didn’t want to understand or accept Christ fully into my life. As a toddler, I went to the nursery at the Seventh-day Adventist School all the way through high school. The Lord blessed me with Christian grandparents and I remember when we used to have Christmas musicals at the school. We used to practice the songs for Christmas. One song I remember was “Glory to God in the Highest.” We would rehearse that song for two weeks about 10 times a day. Through that song, something was grabbing hold of my conscience, my spirit and my mind. Later in life, because of that experience, I never killed anybody. I wanted to and I could have, but something inside of me just never let me pass that boundary. Only until now do I understand it was the presence of Christ.
At the age of 27, I entered the Drug Alternative Program (DAP), not because I wanted to change but I couldn’t handle the alcohol anymore. I couldn’t handle the crack cocaine anymore. I couldn’t handle maintaining a normal life anymore. My aunt helped me get there. I remember the day we were leaving for DAP, I asked her what time we were leaving. She said, “In a little while.” She was inside and I was outside looking through the window. Suddenly I heard a really loud voice saying, “Aaron, Aaron!” I looked around and there was no one there. Again I heard the same voice say, “Aaron, Aaron, come here.” My aunt even heard the voice. Her husband, a Pastor, told me I was at a crossroad in my life and I needed to pay attention. And that was true.
DAP was the beginning of my conversion. I went there a scared, confused, arrogant and prideful person. I didn’t know that because I was never taught. However, Mr. and Mrs. Harris showed me love and they taught me discipline and structure that I never received in that manner before. Although I didn’t understand, I learned many skills that got me to where I am today. I learned how to get up in the morning, how to be clean, how to do chores, how to cook, how to have a regular prayer life and read the Word daily and how to work on a job. After 14 months, I left DAP because I still wanted to play around. As I was leaving, I remembered Mr. Harris saying to me, “Why don’t you want to face what’s going on with you right now?” I wanted to run. So, I ran, and I ran, and I ran for 13 years. I got into everything that I could including drugs and alcohol again. Adding to that, I then found out that I could use women. I did, but deep down inside I knew that I was wrong. My family could not understand why I didn’t get my life together.
About four years ago, I finally hit rock bottom. I ended up in the hospital 5150 in the Psychiatric Ward. The Lord found me right there and I wasn’t even looking for Him. I said to myself, this is what I’ve become, and this is just what I’m going to be. However, my Christian upbringing and my time at DAP equipped me to say, “Hey, Aaron, get up!!” So, I got up, I got sober; I got into an AA support group. My life changed and I learned to stop blaming people. I learned to look at myself, take responsibility and stopped saying, “Sorry”, to family and friends and people on the street. Instead, I decided to stop doing wrong. Mrs. Harris used to say all the time, “The proof is in the pudding.” In other words, the best way to know if something is true or not is to experience it firsthand. All these years, I have remembered her words. Today, the proof is in the pudding, showing what the Lord is doing in my life, through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Anywhere I go, I can speak to somebody. Anywhere I go, I can help them with food and give them my personal testimony of overcoming the addiction to drugs and alcohol. I have become one of the smartest and hardest working people. I have learned skills to protect myself. When people are trying to scam me or lie to get something out of me, I can identify because I did the same thing. So, I know how to speak to them. Right now, as I’m writing this letter, a young man just came up to me wanting some money. What he really wants is money to buy some heroin. I told him, “I’m not going to give him money to kill yourself or somebody else.” Instead, I bought him breakfast and told him what the Lord Jesus Christ had done for me and what He can do for him.
Christ is real because there’s only one true GOD, there’s only one SAVIOR, there’s only one TRUE LOVE, there’s only ONE REDEEMER, and soon and very soon He’s going to come back for us. “God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise… “(1 Corinthians 1:27) God is growing my character continually, removing childish behavior and things that block His love from my heart. One thing I do know, He said He will never leave me nor forsake me, so I will never give up. I keep fighting and I BELIEVE the Drug Alternative Program was the beginning and the launching pad to a new life in CHRIST for me. But not just for me but FOR ANY MAN who is seeking to become a Servant of the Lord Jesus Christ. DAP IS THE PLACE.
With Love & Respect, Aaron Ojeda
Is there any wonder why we love this work? Wow, to listen and be a part of testimonies like Aaron’s is priceless, and it makes the hard work worth it all! God is so faithful to each of us despite the tattered path we sometimes chose. He uses these opportunities to remind us of new beginnings. No matter our past, it’s never too late to turn our lives around. All God asks of us is to take one step at a time, while trusting Him. It’s not our job to know when and how, but to be ready with arms open wide, like the Father of the Prodigal, to accept our brothers and sisters back into our Family. Please remember Aaron in prayer also; it takes genuine courage and heart to share such intimate details of his life. It’s so evident that he loves God and has reconnected with Him. This young man is now God’s ministering Warrior, seeking to help anyone, especially other men struggling with drug addiction. Cliff and I are grateful that God chose us for this meaningful and rewarding task. We are also thankful that you have chosen to take this journey with us.
In His service,
