Testimony

“A New Lease…”
( testimony of Rey Aradanas)

What do you see around you now? Do you just see the bad things happening nowadays? Are you almost always overwhelmed with worries? Or do you see God’s providence in everything, continually trusting Him in these trying times?

As for me, what I always see is the hand of God behind every event that happens in our daily lives. As I wake up every morning, I see the new lease in life that He has graciously given my family and me. Ordinary everyday things that once were just part of the background have been given more meaning in my life right now.

But almost a decade ago, what I saw was a world through drug-laced eyes. Back then, my life was so simple that I only live to get a score one day at a time. Simple, senseless and almost hopeless. After more than ten years of substance abuse that was how my once secularly purposeful life almost came to be.

Just like most of us recovering drug addicts, I started my vices from the usual “innocent” way – smoking and drinking booze. During my high school days, my buddies and me were trying our best to be the cool kids in the campus by cutting classes and getting drunk. I was just thankful I made it through college even though during this period I’ve managed to add marijuana and cough syrups to my drugs menu.

I was able to land good jobs with respectable companies after I got my diploma. Enjoying the good life of a worldly successful sales executive; mixing business and pleasure with ease as mostly required by the nature of the job. It is with this mindset that I eventually got acquainted with the most insidious and dangerous drug in the world today: methamphetamines. Locally known as “speed”, “meth”, “ice”, “crystal”, here in the US or “shabu” there in the Philippines, this substance as many can sadly testify has wrecked havoc and despair in the lives of many families.

As almost all stories of those who’ve encountered shabu, ultimately the good paying stable jobs, the profitable businesses, and the loving relationships all came into disarray. That’s what happened to me. After resigning as an account manager with a multi-national telecoms company, I was jumping from one odd job to another until finally I couldn’t find any at all. How could I when I was spending all the time and money I had satisfying my selfish cravings. I sold almost all the stuff in our home that I can sell then even stealing some just so I can have my daily fix. I was getting tired but yet unwilling to stop my addiction that was spiraling out of control.

My wife and my family eventually knew of my problem and were a major factor that pushed me to seek help. At that time I thought that it was just good luck that I met one of my ex-friend-junky who sought and found helped in fighting his addiction. But now I know better that there’s no such thing as good luck and it was all by God’s grace that I came to know of the House of Hope through that friend.

At first, when I came to know that the program is 12 months, I had my doubts. One year seemed so long. I wasn’t sure if I could get along with the people, I worried about my family (though they were far from my mind when I was high on drugs), I didn’t know if I could recover at all! I was thinking back then that given enough time and rest, I could beat my addiction by my own strength. I did not realize then that my drug problem was not the real problem but just a manifestation of a deeper more serious condition. And, this realization became clearer during the first couple of months into the program. Through the daily devotionals, bible studies, the praise and worship services, slowly I came to really appreciate the program and more importantly the opportunity that the Lord has given me. The opportunity of not just cleaning up my act but on a more significant scale the life-changing occasion of really knowing and accepting Jesus Christ as my personal Lord and Savior!

If I could sum up the most profound learning experience I had in the House of Hope, it would be that of God’s love and forgiveness for all repentant sinners and the blessings and grace that follows if only we allow Him to guide us day by day. There will still be days that would seem insurmountable, trials and tribulations will still buffet us on all sides, and our struggle with drugs and/or sins would always be with us. But through it all, we take comfort in His promise that never will He leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). The Lord does not consider how bad our lives started out to be; He’s more concerned of our faithfulness and trust in Him till the very end.

It’s been a blissful five years of being free from drugs and vices. And, I together with my family would not have this new lease in life if not for the Lord using the House of Hope as an inspiring instrument of transformation. So, it is with abounding joy that I greet the ministry and the brothers a Blessed 10th Anniversary!

May you all continue to shine as a beacon of hope for those who are still searching the light. And, may we all be reminded of our frailty and of our constant need for God’s in-dwelling Spirit to sustain us in our walk with Him.

“’Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the LORD Almighty.” (Zechariah 4:6)

(Rey and Rowena with their two kids, Julian and Joshua are presently based in Austin, Texas)