“I know now who God made me to be.”

Gabriel was born into a hopeless situation. His mother was a teenager who was struggling with addiction. “I was surrounded by abusive men, we didn’t have enough clothes and food, and there were drugs around constantly.” 

As he got older, he started using them to cope with his heartbreaking circumstances. “I was always alone… I didn’t care about anyone because I didn’t have anyone who cared about me.” 

Through his teenage years and into adulthood, his hopeless cycle continued. “I couldn’t pay rent or keep a job. I’d see friends working, making money, building lives, and I was still homeless on food stamps.” 

He was desperate for a way out. “I wanted something better for myself. I wanted to be somebody – I just needed a chance to find hope.”

“I had no hope and no plan for my future… I was so broken.”

At the San Diego Rescue Mission, he found the hope he’d been desperate for. “They welcomed me with open arms, and told me ‘Go ahead, rest, brother. You’re in the house of God.’” 

In Mission Academy, Gabriel worked through the pain and trauma that fueled his addictions, and his job training helped him find a sense of belonging and purpose. “Working at the front desk, I felt like I was taking care of my family… It felt good to give back. And it’s preparing me to find a job and build a life when I leave the Rescue Mission.”

Gabriel now has strength for his future because of your heart of compassion for him and other neighbors in need. Because you chose to share God’s love, he has a path forward in life.

He has even trained for and completed a half marathon!

“I have hope now, I have a future. And I want to share my story with other people, to tell them that anything is possible. I was out on the streets for so long, feeling hopeless and unloved. If I could find freedom and peace, anybody can.”

To read this issue of Mission in Motion, click to download.