From Gangs and Drugs to Deliverance
As a young Hispanic growing up in the Barrio (neighborhood), born in sin
and without a father, dad was doing time in prison and mom was always working
to pay the bills and to put food on the table. I remember being home alone,
scared as a young kid. When mom was home it was a party house of alcohol
and drugs. By the age of 12 I was sick of being left alone, so I joined
a street gang, “East Side Loco’s,” drinking beer and smoking pot with the
homeboys. I found a family that would never leave me alone again.
I became known as the “shooter,” always being the one to pull a pistol.
By the age of 14 I had already been in jail for attempted murder. I almost
killed a rival gang member with a knife. After two years of being locked
up I came out looking for respect, but all I found was more enemies, more
drugs and alcohol, more women and homeboys. That’s all that I wanted or
thought I needed at the time. By my 18th birthday I was in the county jail
for armed robbery sentenced to three years in prison, leaving two kids of
my own alone without a father. During these three years I met the devil’s
best friends, heroin and prison gangs. Knowing I was only doing three years
I decided not to join the gang, it was “blood in blood out!” I just hung
around some members shooting heroin and beating vatos (people) up for the
homies. Out of prison after three years and back to the Barrio (neighborhood).
Same homeboys still gangbanging, shooting drugs, alcohol and women, all
this right back into my life.
For my 23rd birthday I received a sentence of 58½ years for my 2nd armed
robbery. The judge had the nerve to call me a “menace to society.” I told
my jail cellmate, I’ll show him menace! Back in prison I joined a prison
gang “Syndicato Nuevo Mexico” or New Mexico Syndicate. I became a carnal
brother, (blood in – blood out). By the age of 25 I’m calling the shots
ordering hits on other inmates and in control of the prison, just trying
to survive in a world of pure evil.
In December of 1999, after three years in the hole, I was sick from shooting
heroin and was having withdrawls from the drug. I went back to feeling that
same loneliness I had felt as a child. I picked up a Bible that I had just
received in a Christmas package from the Salvation Army. I opened it to
the Gospel of John and began to read. As I came to John 3:16 my heart began
beating so fast, like I was on speed. I got down on my knees and asked God
to forgive me of my sin and to make me a new person. Three months later
I was transferred to a different state for being a menace in prison.
Today by God’s grace I am saved. Praise God!! (Eph. 2:5) On June 5th I was
baptized in water (Acts 2:38), and on June 20 God gave me an awesome gift
by baptizing me in the Holy Ghost and filling me with His Spirit. A Spirit
of power, love, and a sound mind. God delivered me from Mi Vida Loca, from
a gang of pure evil to a gang of brothers and sister of pure love, from
a mouth of cursing to one speaking in tongues, from a heart of hate and
prejudice, to a heart filled with love and compassion for all races. Today
I have a father that loves so much that He gave Jesus, His only begotten
Son to die on the cross for me. Jesus died for me and for you, so that we
don’t have to live a life of sin. Thank you Jesus! My father never leaves
me alone, (John 14:18). I will never leave thee or forsake thee. (Heb. 13:5)
Praise God! I hope and pray my testimony will help you decide to make my
God, your Father and Savior also. That you may have eternal life in Heaven.
If you die in your sin, your will go to hell, the Bible says you will go
to hell or heaven. Please come with me to Heaven and ask Jesus to forgive
you of your sins, to make you a new person and He will. He loves you! There’s
still hope. Today I am blessed as my mother, sister, and aunt are all saved.
Praise the Lord! I have three beautiful children that I left alone, God
has forgave me, He will forgive you too. Please ask God into your live.
Jesus loves you, I love you, come with me to Heaven. Won’t you let Him in?
(Rev. 3:20) I want to give thanks to my Heavenly Father for guiding me and
making this testimony possible. God bless all of you.
In Jesus Name
Brother Oscar