† Testimonies

Four months ago she was homeless.

Tracy is a beautiful 21 year old single mom with a captivating smile and two equally beautiful little girls. She came to the mission trying to find safety for herself and her children.

Drug addition and alcohol have affected Tracy from the beginning of her life until the present, although she personally has made the choice not to use. She was raised in the home of her aunt and uncle because her biological mom had issues with addictions and she never knew her biological father. In her foster home she was not altogether isolated from drugs and alcohol. Her foster sister was killed in a car accident driven by a drunk driver.

She went to Hawaii in an effort to connect with her biological mom but when she arrived it was not a good situation. She eventually ended up in the desert with her two children having no place to live and no way to support herself.

Four months ago she was homeless with no transportation and needed a safe place for herself and her children. Shortly after arriving at the mission, one of the volunteers reintroduced her to Christ. Since arriving here she has regained full legal custody of her children and is looking into getting her GED and pursuing a career in cosmetology. Tracy realizes she needs counseling to overcome some issues created by her past but she is working on those. She is determined to instill in her children all of the love, values, and security possible!

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The Mission has shown me how to be honest with others and myself

I was born in New Jersey and moved to California when I was 3 years old. My parents got divorced shortly after our arrival here. Being raised in a single parent home, we didn't have rules or boundaries.

I was lost, lonely and didn't have any faith in the Lord. I came to the Mission because I was sick and tired of being sick and tired. I entered the CVRM New Life Program January 16, 2008.

I was saved in February, 2008 and then I was baptized on Easter Sunday. I am now mending fences with my family, especially my daughter.

The Mission has shown me how to be honest with others and myself. It has also shown me the way of front line ministry. Most importantly it has reunited me with my daughter and allows her to come stay with me every two weeks.

I am enrolled in a GED class that CVRM offers. I plan on returning to my previous profession in healthcare. I am very blessed that God put me on the path that brought me to the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission.

Finally I know God has a purpose for me.

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The Lord knows my future and I am a child of God to do as He wills.

As far as I could remember, my childhood was full of violence from the men my mother dated. The guy down the street was like an older brother to me but was actually a wolf in sheep's clothing. I started smoking crack and other drugs at 9 years old and my childhood was over. Through most of my life, I have struggled with drugs, alcohol and depression but through all that, the Lord has always been with me. I am a living testimony that the Lord is real and true!"

Wyatt remembers his mother trying to escape from the violent men in her life and, on the other hand, the grandparents who were there for him and his sister as an oasis of love and safety. During those weekend visits, Wyatt went to church and prayed asking to be part of His ministry. It has been a hard journey of trials and tribulations but while in Prescott, Wyatt recommitted his life to Jesus as his personal Savior. The Lord extended further and touched Wyatt's mother, brother and two sisters who are all rejoicing in their future eternal life together without pain.

The Coachella Valley Rescue Mission was there for Wyatt to come to as an oasis of love and safety. "I count as blessings the trouble I went through for they have molded me into the servant He wants me to be every day. Life is changing for me as I draw closer to Christ. I am clean off crack cocaine, methamphetamines, alcohol and most recently, nicotine!" Through the studies, work therapy and mentorship at the Mission, Wyatt has been shown how to trust, be himself and how to serve the community. Another life changing volunteer experience for him has been working with the Special Olympics.

"I am grateful to the Mission and staff for leading me into a closer relationship with Christ. I look forward to graduating from the New Life Program and building a solid foundation in a church fellowship within the body of Christ. The Lord knows my future and I am a child of God to do as He wills."

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I Lost Track of Everything

“Brandon describes the man he used to be in two words: “A troublemaker.” Involved in drug dealing and guns, he had “lost track of everything.” “I lost track of time, track of love, track of people. Then, I got rescued. That’s how I got here.

“I was homeless and hungry and had nowhere to go. I had lost my faith in everything and everybody shut the door on me. I had nowhere to go, no transportation. I came to the Mission and they told me to come back for dinner, and I did. I just kept coming back."

“If you want to help yourself, the Mission will help you.”

So many people like Brandon come to the Mission each day. We feed them, give them shelter and encourage them to start new lives by taking part in our New Life Program.

Today, Brandon is a New Life graduate and has reestablished a relationship with his three children. Encourage by the near-miraculous changes in his own life, he now wants to help others who have faced the same challenges he overcame.

“There are a lot of people still on the streets that have seen a change in me. They used to run away from me because I was a troublemaker. Now, they come up and they talk to me.”

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The Lord Has Rescued Me

“As a single mother and drug addict, the bottom fell out of my life and left me floundering around like a fish out of water. I knew that I needed help because I could not do it on my own any longer or I would completely destroy my life and the life of my precious son.”

Kristi was born and raised in Portland, Oregon, as an only child, traveled with her mother and helping run the family business with her father. “My father died ten years ago and my mother was now living in California. We lost our home in Oregon and we couldn’t live with my mom. I had a ten-year-old son and no place to go. So, we ended up in the Women’s shelter in a family room. It was a safe haven for me and my son. We were given warm beds, clean clothes and food. We were also given a chance to know God. At a Bible study meeting, I accepted the Lord and a few weeks later I was baptized in a local church.”

The Coachella Valley Rescue Mission provides Chapel services, devotions, Bible Studies, classes in life skills and self esteem classes. “The Mission provided me with a way out of the mess my life had become. I am now in school learning massage therapy and my son is doing very well in his school. He is now a normal little boy, making friends and loving school. The Lord has rescued me and turned my life around. I look forward to graduation, getting a job and a place of our own because God has taken control of my life.”

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My Life was a Disaster

“I grew up feeling worthless, hopeless and depressed. Life was not worth living, everything I did failed. My life was a disaster. I knew if I continued my 19 year lifestyle of addiction to drugs and alcohol, I would be dead.”

When Anna came to the Mission, she was offered a safe warm bed, clean clothes, and regular meals. She quickly joined the New Life Program and absorbed the Bible studies and chapel services. Anna received lots of moral support, has become a mentor and volunteers her time to help others coming to the Mission.

The Coachella Valley Rescue Mission offers classes in life skills, self esteem classes, anger management, and parenting. The New Life Program provides training on recovery from the downward spiral of life some experience. Anna has worked hard to become a working, independent woman and the Lord has blessed her efforts, “He has restored my family and now I have peace in my heart. Thank you Lord, Amen.”

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I Had Nowhere to Go!

Released from a local hospital, Alicia walked two miles in 110° plus weather hoping we could find room for her in, our Women and Families Shelter. “I had no water, no money, no nothing. And I was carrying my bags. All the way over here, I prayed,” she says.

Once she entered our New Life Program, Alicia’s first big goal was to get her children back. “I had to go to court and they weren’t going to give me my kids. But I showed them that I was doing everything they wanted me to do and how much this shelter helped me get my life together and stay off the drugs and have God in my life and study the Bible.”

“I want my kids to grow with God. I want to teach them what’s right.”

Because of the changes she was able to make, Alicia’s three-year-old daughter, Amethyst, and six-year-old son, Phoenix, were able to come live with her here at the Mission while two older children went to live with their grandmother.

Alicia’s next goal was to get a job and save enough money to get a place of her own where she and her kids could all live together. “I want my kids to grow with God. I want to teach them what’s right. I read them the Bible every night. I just want my life to be together.”

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Marcos grew up in Oasis, located in the east Coachella Valley as the third child of six with a hardworking father. He was an average student and a star high school athlete who became influenced by negative music, television and trends. Marcos was recognized as a top salesman in his professional life pursuing the goal of money first. He excelled in golf which became enslaving to him at the expense of his marriage.

“My life was painful, empty, prideful, and undisciplined. I had no love, no kindness and no purpose. I was lost for ten years with an in and out battle with drugs. I tried it my way, lost the relationships with my family through disappointment and theft and ended up homeless for three years.”

“God got my attention through my affliction in February 2006. I discovered I couldn’t do it myself. I couldn’t find my way back alone.“
“The Mission has taken me by the hand and has become my refuge. I pray that I am an example and inspiration to others. I want to share what has been given to me by the grace of God. Each day I seek God and know nothing can happen to me today that God and I cannot handle. If you want to help yourself, make an effort, walk towards the door, God will open it!”

Marcos has reconciled with his family, is the Mission Thrift Store manager and shares the love of Christ and a great smile with everyone coming through the door. Come by and see him at the store. You will be blessed!

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The Detroit riots of 1967 were within a quarter mile of the home my brothers and I lived in for twenty years. I was raised to think no matter what I did, forgiveness would come when I died. I figured I could live the way I wanted without any problem. This was not the case. I was broken and lost everything I loved.

When I had no where to go or turn, someone I never met before brought me to the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission. Shortly after arriving, I was asked to join the New Life Program by then fellow program participant, Kenny Keller. Kenny mentored, spent time and encouraged me. I committed my life to Jesus Christ and found forgiveness of all my sins on August 16, 2005.

The Coachella Valley Rescue Mission and Program Director Mike Boyer have helped me by giving me a chance to get my life together and find a job. I learned to rely on God and that I could live a life without drugs or alcohol to solve my problems. [editor’s note: Paul graduated from the New Life Program on May 11th, 2006.]

I am looking forward to doing my best at my new job, start my own business and an exciting reunion with my six children and three grandchildren. Thank you, God.

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It’s one week until Christmas and I sit here at Starbucks realizing that this Christmas is a special one as I am actually “living” and not going through the motions.

You gave me a renewed spirit. What a great gift to have.
In my daily life now, I somehow notice how sad, depressed and lonely most people are. Whereas before I, like most, just went about my business and ignored them.

A few weeks ago, a client of mine was complaining about her life. She was recently divorced, lost a huge sum of money on an investment and so on… I asked her, “Are you a Christian?” She looked at me for what seemed like eternity then responded, “I was…” I suggested that she turn to prayer and find a good local church. Yesterday, she stopped in the store and thanked me for pointing her back to God. I felt awesome!

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