Randy’s Story

I grew up in a Christian home and had a pretty happy childhood. My mom and dad were together the whole time. They were strict, but loving parents. I also had a brother and sister. My dad was in construction and did electrical work, so I learned a lot from him and was able to easily get jobs. My brother ran a plant and I began working for him out of high school.

I began to have problems with substance abuse in my early twenties, it just kind of took hold. Eventually I started getting involved in a lot of crime and there was an addiction to that as well. I was in and out of jail and in prison a few times. My last prison sentence was three years, during which I had gotten clean. That’s when I really started focusing on my relationship with the Lord. Becoming a Christian is one thing, walking it out seems like it’s a whole other thing. The Lord has been faithful and constantly does what’s necessary to bring me back to Him. 

I knew some people here at the mission from having been in the shelter a few years before. Scott Tyler visited me in jail when I got arrested and told me he’d like me to come back and go into the program. So, when it came time to get out, I was released and came to the mission and just continued my relationship with the Lord. They keep you accountable and help you maintain good habits here and that’s been really helpful. I graduated and was offered a place to stay in transition and now work in maintenance here at the mission.

Since coming to Visalia Rescue Mission I am free, in more ways than one. God can work and do things anywhere and this place is great because it offers you an opportunity. They offer you hope through life with God and that’s the best thing you can offer someone - hope in life, you know? It’s given me a different perspective on what I want to do with my life. Regardless of what I do with my career, I’ll stay involved with faith-based programs that involve Christ and get involved with church more, maybe do some mission work. If I can pour back into someone’s life, that would be pretty awesome.