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