My name is Daniel Bisi and I am 29 years old...
I remember growing up very lonely as a child. My father has been sent to prison for dealing drugs when I was very little, and my mother was left to raise my brother, my two sisters, and me by herself.
We grew up struggling and very poor. I remember living by candlelight on many different occasions. My mother struggled, so I grew up without much affection. I felt as if I were a burden. I wasn't happy, I was sad. I did not feel loved, I felt abandoned.
While growing up, my parents and grandparents spoke to me about someone name Jesus Christ. I never listen to them, so as the years went by, I followed my own desires. I grew up quickly.
I chased after happiness and comfort from the world. I was soon entangled and bound. I was held captive by darkness. I lived in sorrow, pain, and hurt. I was broken-hearted. I came near to death many times.
I was hopelessly on the threshold of destruction, so I remembered the words of my grandparents, and I cried out to God. And that's the lowest point my life, this place in my path you told me to read the book of James. So I open my Bible to the book of James, and I heard Him.
I heard God. I listened to Him and I began to follow his voice.
I believed him, and he began to transform me. I soon realized that I was never alone (Isaiah 46:4). I realized that I had someone who would always be with me, help me, and keep me from falling apart (Isaiah 46:4). He became the main focus of my life.
I found that there was no need to live in defeat and dwell on my past, but rather look forward to a new life (Isaiah43:18-19). He began to release me from the things that bound and discouraged me (Isaiah 45:2).
My eyes began to open. I began to notice the beautiful things in this world, peaceful things that I had never noticed before (Isaiah 55:12).
He brought me life. I now believe in VICTORY. He did all this while I was in Turning Point Men's Home. I thank the supporters of this ministry because they helped me and I received the opportunity to separate myself from darkness.
I was able to meet the greatest thing that ever happened to me...my Savior Jesus Christ.
We grew up struggling and very poor. I remember living by candlelight on many different occasions. My mother struggled, so I grew up without much affection. I felt as if I were a burden. I wasn't happy, I was sad. I did not feel loved, I felt abandoned.
While growing up, my parents and grandparents spoke to me about someone name Jesus Christ. I never listen to them, so as the years went by, I followed my own desires. I grew up quickly.
I chased after happiness and comfort from the world. I was soon entangled and bound. I was held captive by darkness. I lived in sorrow, pain, and hurt. I was broken-hearted. I came near to death many times.
I was hopelessly on the threshold of destruction, so I remembered the words of my grandparents, and I cried out to God. And that's the lowest point my life, this place in my path you told me to read the book of James. So I open my Bible to the book of James, and I heard Him.
I heard God. I listened to Him and I began to follow his voice.
I believed him, and he began to transform me. I soon realized that I was never alone (Isaiah 46:4). I realized that I had someone who would always be with me, help me, and keep me from falling apart (Isaiah 46:4). He became the main focus of my life.
I found that there was no need to live in defeat and dwell on my past, but rather look forward to a new life (Isaiah43:18-19). He began to release me from the things that bound and discouraged me (Isaiah 45:2).
My eyes began to open. I began to notice the beautiful things in this world, peaceful things that I had never noticed before (Isaiah 55:12).
He brought me life. I now believe in VICTORY. He did all this while I was in Turning Point Men's Home. I thank the supporters of this ministry because they helped me and I received the opportunity to separate myself from darkness.
I was able to meet the greatest thing that ever happened to me...my Savior Jesus Christ.
Hello, my name is Carlos Manuel Alcaraz...
I was born in Los Angeles, California to a single mother. I have one brother and two sisters. While I was growing up, I remember my mother working two jobs to provide for me. I also remember her staying up late at night making wedding dresses to help pay the bills. She always worked very hard to put food on the table. She always wanted the best for us, but unfortunately, I decided to pursue the worst.
I began using meth at the age of eleven. I joined a gang shortly afterward. Although I was still a child, I quickly became entangled in fights, and stabbings, and in shootings. So my heart was hardened. I no longer had feelings. My young life began to spiral out of control. I soon found myself in juvenile hall, and then eventually in Youth Authority.
I remember being 18 years old in state prison, and wondering what my life was going to be. Seven prison terms later I decided to change my life, and Turning Point offered me the opportunity to do so.
I entered Turning Point Men's Home on Valentine's Day 2014. That night I pray to God and I asked him to help me. I told him that I wanted to change my life. From that day on, he has been showing me how beautiful life can be.
He has shown me that I need to have faith in him, and not myself.
So from now on, I live my life according to 2 Corinthians 5:7, "For we walk by faith, and not by sight."
For the past fourteen months in Turning Point, he has shown me what true peace and happiness is. He has shown me the true meaning of life, and how precious it is.
He has revealed to me that I am no longer bound in chains on my past. He offers me a happy future. He reconciled me with my children, whom I thought I had lost forever. He worked all of these things out leave being in this program. If it was not for all the supporters, I and others would not have the opportunity to completely change our lives.
Thank you and may God bless you and all your families.
I began using meth at the age of eleven. I joined a gang shortly afterward. Although I was still a child, I quickly became entangled in fights, and stabbings, and in shootings. So my heart was hardened. I no longer had feelings. My young life began to spiral out of control. I soon found myself in juvenile hall, and then eventually in Youth Authority.
I remember being 18 years old in state prison, and wondering what my life was going to be. Seven prison terms later I decided to change my life, and Turning Point offered me the opportunity to do so.
I entered Turning Point Men's Home on Valentine's Day 2014. That night I pray to God and I asked him to help me. I told him that I wanted to change my life. From that day on, he has been showing me how beautiful life can be.
He has shown me that I need to have faith in him, and not myself.
So from now on, I live my life according to 2 Corinthians 5:7, "For we walk by faith, and not by sight."
For the past fourteen months in Turning Point, he has shown me what true peace and happiness is. He has shown me the true meaning of life, and how precious it is.
He has revealed to me that I am no longer bound in chains on my past. He offers me a happy future. He reconciled me with my children, whom I thought I had lost forever. He worked all of these things out leave being in this program. If it was not for all the supporters, I and others would not have the opportunity to completely change our lives.
Thank you and may God bless you and all your families.
Start a new path in life and be the change today!
My name is Michael...
I want to take a couple minutes to share with you the testimony of what God has done in my life through Turning Point Ministries.
I am from San Diego, Ca. I grew up in a "Christian" home always hearing about Jesus. From ages 5-11 I was molested by an older cousin. For six years he did horrible and detestable things to me. I was angry, bitter, full of hate and fueled by darkness. I questioned how a God of love could allow such wickedness to happen to me.
I began to numb the pain and hurt with drugs and partying. This culminated into a 6 year heroin and Chrystal meth addiction. I was consumed by the drugs. I pushed everyone out of my life and found my self wondering homeless around the streets of El Cajon. I would not eat or sleep for weeks; I weighed 132lbs and was completely out of my mind.
It was there that God brought me to Turning Point Ministries. It truly was my turning point! I developed the foundation that I needed to stand firm in the faith. When I was there we were required to memorize scripture..
At the time I hated it but I realize now how important those verses have been In my walk with The Lord.
The community of support and the relationships that I gained from Turning Point I believe will last for eternity. I most likely would not be alive if it had not been for Turning Points open door policy.
It has been three years since I left Turning Point. I have forgiven my cousin for what he did to me, and embraced the life that God has laid before me to walk into. I am happily married and God has restored the broken relationships with my family.
My wife and I have been called by God to go to the unreached people of Oaxaca, Mexico to share with them the Love that our Lord has shared with me. We will be moving in march for at least two years. God has used Turning Point as a mighty vessel and I am a life that was changed.
Thank you for supporting this ministry and the men who enter through those doors. May The Lord continue to bless the home and restore all who enter!
I am from San Diego, Ca. I grew up in a "Christian" home always hearing about Jesus. From ages 5-11 I was molested by an older cousin. For six years he did horrible and detestable things to me. I was angry, bitter, full of hate and fueled by darkness. I questioned how a God of love could allow such wickedness to happen to me.
I began to numb the pain and hurt with drugs and partying. This culminated into a 6 year heroin and Chrystal meth addiction. I was consumed by the drugs. I pushed everyone out of my life and found my self wondering homeless around the streets of El Cajon. I would not eat or sleep for weeks; I weighed 132lbs and was completely out of my mind.
It was there that God brought me to Turning Point Ministries. It truly was my turning point! I developed the foundation that I needed to stand firm in the faith. When I was there we were required to memorize scripture..
At the time I hated it but I realize now how important those verses have been In my walk with The Lord.
The community of support and the relationships that I gained from Turning Point I believe will last for eternity. I most likely would not be alive if it had not been for Turning Points open door policy.
It has been three years since I left Turning Point. I have forgiven my cousin for what he did to me, and embraced the life that God has laid before me to walk into. I am happily married and God has restored the broken relationships with my family.
My wife and I have been called by God to go to the unreached people of Oaxaca, Mexico to share with them the Love that our Lord has shared with me. We will be moving in march for at least two years. God has used Turning Point as a mighty vessel and I am a life that was changed.
Thank you for supporting this ministry and the men who enter through those doors. May The Lord continue to bless the home and restore all who enter!
My name is Matthew Redden...
I would like to share what Turning Point Men’s Home has done for me.
I am 31 years old and I entered into the doors of Turning Point for the first time on September 12th 2006. I walked in thinking that I didn’t have a problem, that it was ok for me to drink alcohol, smoke marijuana and cigarettes and to do cocaine. I didn’t think I had a problem but I went into make other people happy.
I was different from a lot of the guys in the home because I was raised by an amazing family, went to church every week and I knew right from wrong.
I also had received a Baseball Scholarship to a University in Georgia but found myself in jail and moving back.
I stayed in the Men’s home for 6 months until my family said it was ok for me to leave. I walked out of the doors and went right back into the lifestyle I was living.
I hid from my friends and my family because I was now ashamed of what I was doing but I didn’t know how to change so one year from the day I first entered into the Men’s home I re-entered embarrassed but ready to change, so on September 12th 2007 I changed my life.
This time I took the rules serious, I dug deep into the word of GOD and he changed my life. He changed my heart and changed all of my desires. I stayed in the home for a year and then I did a 3 month internship and then stayed in the half way house for another 4 months.
I have been clean and sober since the day I walked into the home and I couldn’t have done it without the guidance that I received while in the home.
I learned how to work hard and to have fun without the assistance of drugs or alcohol. I learned how to truly love thru the examples of the staff and the other men in the home.
I have since graduated from college and am currently working on my Masters Degree in Education and my Teaching Credential at the same time. I have gotten married and also have a 1 ½ year old little boy.
I owe everything I have to Turning Point because they showed me the way to live my life thru GOD.
I am 31 years old and I entered into the doors of Turning Point for the first time on September 12th 2006. I walked in thinking that I didn’t have a problem, that it was ok for me to drink alcohol, smoke marijuana and cigarettes and to do cocaine. I didn’t think I had a problem but I went into make other people happy.
I was different from a lot of the guys in the home because I was raised by an amazing family, went to church every week and I knew right from wrong.
I also had received a Baseball Scholarship to a University in Georgia but found myself in jail and moving back.
I stayed in the Men’s home for 6 months until my family said it was ok for me to leave. I walked out of the doors and went right back into the lifestyle I was living.
I hid from my friends and my family because I was now ashamed of what I was doing but I didn’t know how to change so one year from the day I first entered into the Men’s home I re-entered embarrassed but ready to change, so on September 12th 2007 I changed my life.
This time I took the rules serious, I dug deep into the word of GOD and he changed my life. He changed my heart and changed all of my desires. I stayed in the home for a year and then I did a 3 month internship and then stayed in the half way house for another 4 months.
I have been clean and sober since the day I walked into the home and I couldn’t have done it without the guidance that I received while in the home.
I learned how to work hard and to have fun without the assistance of drugs or alcohol. I learned how to truly love thru the examples of the staff and the other men in the home.
I have since graduated from college and am currently working on my Masters Degree in Education and my Teaching Credential at the same time. I have gotten married and also have a 1 ½ year old little boy.
I owe everything I have to Turning Point because they showed me the way to live my life thru GOD.
Hello. My name is Marco Polo Moreno...
First of all, I would like to take this time to thank the Lord God Almighty for my salvation and all he has done for me. I am 27 years old and am from Watsonville, CA.
After being a drug addict for five years and many run-ins with the law, I ended up in jail, serving a county year for auto theft and evading police.
My whole family kicked me out of their homes because of the drug lifestyle I was living. Being in jail was a break and a chance for me to really think of the way I was living. I was tired of going from one friend’s house to the next, wondering where I was going to sleep that night. I was tired of making my family sad, and most importantly, letting my parents down.
Every night before going to sleep in jail, I would cry out the same prayer to God, asking him for help. I wanted him to take me out of my misery and lead me into his path of righteousness. The Lord answered my prayer when I came to Turning Point Men’s Home after being released from jail in late September of 2015.
I knew my only chance of making it in life was to leave my past behind and move somewhere new where I could continue to seek God.
In Matthew 11:28 it says, “Come to me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.” I was tired of living in sin. Thanks to Turning Point Men’s Home and all who support this ministry, I came to Christ and have a future to look forward to just like it says in Jeremiah 20:11.
The Lord restored my life and most importantly, he restored my family back to me.
After being a drug addict for five years and many run-ins with the law, I ended up in jail, serving a county year for auto theft and evading police.
My whole family kicked me out of their homes because of the drug lifestyle I was living. Being in jail was a break and a chance for me to really think of the way I was living. I was tired of going from one friend’s house to the next, wondering where I was going to sleep that night. I was tired of making my family sad, and most importantly, letting my parents down.
Every night before going to sleep in jail, I would cry out the same prayer to God, asking him for help. I wanted him to take me out of my misery and lead me into his path of righteousness. The Lord answered my prayer when I came to Turning Point Men’s Home after being released from jail in late September of 2015.
I knew my only chance of making it in life was to leave my past behind and move somewhere new where I could continue to seek God.
In Matthew 11:28 it says, “Come to me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.” I was tired of living in sin. Thanks to Turning Point Men’s Home and all who support this ministry, I came to Christ and have a future to look forward to just like it says in Jeremiah 20:11.
The Lord restored my life and most importantly, he restored my family back to me.
My name is Mauro Jose Ruiz and I am 37 years old...
As a child I suffered from depression. At the age of 15, I was introduced to marijuana. Of course, this led to my life becoming a roller coaster ride. At the age of 16, I began using meth. This was a way for me to numb the pain of depression. 20 years of being an addict got me nowhere in life.
I finally got tired of it and made a decision to change my life. I met someone, got a job, and was about to have a son. A tragedy struck when a car crash on my way to work caused me to lose both my girlfriend and my son. I thought I had everything I ever wanted. Then I had nothing.
I knew who God was, but I wasn’t right with him. He was not a part of my life. Now that I have been given a second chance at life, this time I am ready to change my life and I am ready to do things right. I made the best decision that I could ever make when I decided to come to Turning Point Men’s Home. I had asked some of my friends that had been through this program and they only had good things to say about it, so I was encouraged by what I heard.
Since coming to Turning Point, I have learned to handle my depression and to accept the things which have happened in my life. After spending a year here at the home, I have learned to accept and cope with the situations in my life and I have a clearer vision of my future. (Jeremiah 29:11).
My goals for the future include working, living a life of sobriety, and most importantly, serving the Lord faithfully out of love and gratitude for taking me out of despair and the misery of depression, which nearly cost me everything.
I would like to thank Pastor Norman, Louis and Ken, and the brothers at Turning Point Men’s Home for their support and encouragement this past year. And to those who support this ministry, thank you for helping me change my life.
I finally got tired of it and made a decision to change my life. I met someone, got a job, and was about to have a son. A tragedy struck when a car crash on my way to work caused me to lose both my girlfriend and my son. I thought I had everything I ever wanted. Then I had nothing.
I knew who God was, but I wasn’t right with him. He was not a part of my life. Now that I have been given a second chance at life, this time I am ready to change my life and I am ready to do things right. I made the best decision that I could ever make when I decided to come to Turning Point Men’s Home. I had asked some of my friends that had been through this program and they only had good things to say about it, so I was encouraged by what I heard.
Since coming to Turning Point, I have learned to handle my depression and to accept the things which have happened in my life. After spending a year here at the home, I have learned to accept and cope with the situations in my life and I have a clearer vision of my future. (Jeremiah 29:11).
My goals for the future include working, living a life of sobriety, and most importantly, serving the Lord faithfully out of love and gratitude for taking me out of despair and the misery of depression, which nearly cost me everything.
I would like to thank Pastor Norman, Louis and Ken, and the brothers at Turning Point Men’s Home for their support and encouragement this past year. And to those who support this ministry, thank you for helping me change my life.
Hello, my name is David James Brunton...
I came to Turning Point Men’s Home broken and homeless after a fallout with a relative in 2014. I came on my own because I was homeless and had nowhere to go. I have left the home a few times, trying to go and make a living for myself on my own, but I always end up back at Turning Point. I came back the last time in November of 2015.
I have had some struggles and I cannot say that there have not been times when I wanted to leave again, but I stick it out through the grace of God. It is by His grace that I am still here. I give God all the glory because he gave me this place to go to when I had nowhere else to go. Turning Point has been my home, and I was finally able to complete the program in November of 2016.
I am thankful to still be here at the Men’s Home, and I want to say thank you to everyone at the home for all of their support and understanding. I also want to thank all of you who support this ministry, which allows men like me to find help.
This place has been nothing but a blessing for me and I am so grateful. I am proud to be here now. I am proud to be going through my internship and I feel good about how I am progressing. I feel good that I am a useful member of Turning Point Men’s Home.
I hope to someday be even more of a help to the men’s home, because I want to be able to give back to others as they have given to me. I have been given a home and a family, both things that I have not had for a long time, not since the passing of both of my sisters in 2008 and 2009. They were my only true family until I came to Turning Point. Now, I can gratefully call these men my family
I have had some struggles and I cannot say that there have not been times when I wanted to leave again, but I stick it out through the grace of God. It is by His grace that I am still here. I give God all the glory because he gave me this place to go to when I had nowhere else to go. Turning Point has been my home, and I was finally able to complete the program in November of 2016.
I am thankful to still be here at the Men’s Home, and I want to say thank you to everyone at the home for all of their support and understanding. I also want to thank all of you who support this ministry, which allows men like me to find help.
This place has been nothing but a blessing for me and I am so grateful. I am proud to be here now. I am proud to be going through my internship and I feel good about how I am progressing. I feel good that I am a useful member of Turning Point Men’s Home.
I hope to someday be even more of a help to the men’s home, because I want to be able to give back to others as they have given to me. I have been given a home and a family, both things that I have not had for a long time, not since the passing of both of my sisters in 2008 and 2009. They were my only true family until I came to Turning Point. Now, I can gratefully call these men my family
My name is Ruben Durazo...
I am from El Centro, where I live with my wife, kids, and grandchildren. I started using drugs and alcohol at an early age, and as a result of this, did not graduate from high school.
In 1997, I eventually landed myself a good job and was able to provide for my family, but continued to abuse the drugs and alcohol. I eventually spiraled out of control, losing my job. I found myself in trouble with the law and spent the next five years incarcerated.
This nearly cost me my family. While in jail and on the verge of losing my family, I began asking God to help me. I asked for an opportunity so that I would not lose my family. Soon after, a pastor visited the facility. He spoke to me about Christ and the sacrifices that He made. That is when I decided to accept Jesus as my Savior. Shortly after, I received a visit from my family.
I have come to realize that I need to stay close to God and let him direct me, so I can be a good husband, father, and grandfather. I want to set the example for my family, to continue to attend church, and pray that the Lord will guide and protect us.
I would like to thank all who support this ministry for their generosity. I would like to thank the Lord for another opportunity for life with my family.
God bless you all!
In 1997, I eventually landed myself a good job and was able to provide for my family, but continued to abuse the drugs and alcohol. I eventually spiraled out of control, losing my job. I found myself in trouble with the law and spent the next five years incarcerated.
This nearly cost me my family. While in jail and on the verge of losing my family, I began asking God to help me. I asked for an opportunity so that I would not lose my family. Soon after, a pastor visited the facility. He spoke to me about Christ and the sacrifices that He made. That is when I decided to accept Jesus as my Savior. Shortly after, I received a visit from my family.
I have come to realize that I need to stay close to God and let him direct me, so I can be a good husband, father, and grandfather. I want to set the example for my family, to continue to attend church, and pray that the Lord will guide and protect us.
I would like to thank all who support this ministry for their generosity. I would like to thank the Lord for another opportunity for life with my family.
God bless you all!
My name is Joshua Gomez...
I grew up in Calexico and started making bad decisions at a very young age. I didn’t like school so I waited for my mom to go to work and I would go back home.
I started hanging out with the wrong crowd and that led me to drugs. I started smoking weed at the age of 11, then I got involved in gangs. At 13, I started going in and out of juvenile hall and by the age of 15, I went into placement. I finished and went back home, thinking I could stay sober and do good. By the first weekend, I was back at drugs, even harder ones than before. I went back to placement when I was 17, but left.
At age 18, I got another charge against me and no placement would accept me, so I got an adult case. After that, I went in and out of county jail. I wanted to change but I didn’t know how. I knew there was a God, I just never took the time to build a relationship with him.
I am so glad I came to Turning Point Men’s Home. This is where I accepted Christ into my heart and I feel really close to him. Philippians 3 :13 says, Brother, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it but one thing I do, forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead.
I know God wants the best for me. I know it hurt him the way I was living my life. John 2:15 says, Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. I want the love of the Father.
I made wrong decisions in my life but I know that God has so much more for me.
This is just the beginning of my journey. I am going to fight the good fight. I am going to run the good race. Thank you for supporting Turning Point Men’s Home and men like me.
I started hanging out with the wrong crowd and that led me to drugs. I started smoking weed at the age of 11, then I got involved in gangs. At 13, I started going in and out of juvenile hall and by the age of 15, I went into placement. I finished and went back home, thinking I could stay sober and do good. By the first weekend, I was back at drugs, even harder ones than before. I went back to placement when I was 17, but left.
At age 18, I got another charge against me and no placement would accept me, so I got an adult case. After that, I went in and out of county jail. I wanted to change but I didn’t know how. I knew there was a God, I just never took the time to build a relationship with him.
I am so glad I came to Turning Point Men’s Home. This is where I accepted Christ into my heart and I feel really close to him. Philippians 3 :13 says, Brother, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it but one thing I do, forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead.
I know God wants the best for me. I know it hurt him the way I was living my life. John 2:15 says, Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. I want the love of the Father.
I made wrong decisions in my life but I know that God has so much more for me.
This is just the beginning of my journey. I am going to fight the good fight. I am going to run the good race. Thank you for supporting Turning Point Men’s Home and men like me.
Start a new path in life and be the change today!