“I was homeless… I reached a point where I was done.”

Growing up, Paul considered his father his best friend. He was always inspired by his dad, a Marine who had served in three wars.

So when his father passed away when Paul was only 15, it was a devastating blow. What was an already difficult time – navigating adolescence and peer pressure – became even harder without his beloved father to head the family.

“Our anchor was gone and it was rough. I started drinking and experimenting with drugs to mask the pain and loss,” he said.

Paul managed to keep his addiction on the side, still working and living as best he could, until it caught up with him decades later.

“I was homeless, laying out on the pavement. It was as low as I wanted to go. I finally reached a point where I was done.”

When he came to the San Diego Rescue Mission, Paul immediately knew this was a place of love and healing.

“Through the grace of God, everyone that comes through these doors has an opportunity to have a better and joyful life.”

Paul was broken when he first got here – tired of himself and the choices he had made. But through Mission Academy and reconnecting with God’s word, he began to change. He especially appreciated the nutrition classes and life-skills training.

“God provides so much for us in this Rescue Mission. They’re giving me the tools I can use to learn and go out and be a productive member of society.”

In addition to classes, he enjoys the daily rhythm of getting up early, serving in the kitchen to prepare breakfast and helping others.

Now, Paul is confident that God will guide his footsteps. He not only wants to experience joy for himself, but is also committed to sharing joy with others.

This Easter, Paul is experiencing God’s gift of new life! Thank you for empowering him to follow Christ’s calling in his life. “I’m going to take it one step at a time… when God has a door for me to walk through, I’m going to walk through it.”

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