And giving him hope & new life!
For years, Nathan struggled to feel like he belonged. At school, with his friends and even with his family, he felt like an outsider.
“I was adopted from Colombia by a white family,” he says, “and grew up in a predominantly white community. I dealt with a lot of racism and struggled with my identity.”
At home, physical abuse and alcoholism among his family made Nathan’s low self-worth even worse. “As I grew up, I just kept finding ways to stay out and not come home… It wasn’t an environment I wanted to be in.”
Sadly, along this road, Nathan discovered alcohol… and then drugs. “It helped me numb the pain I was going through,” he says. “It just continued to escalate.”
Nathan thought he’d never be able to stop using substances – until he watched an overdose take his girlfriend’s life. “I was at my wit’s end… homeless and with nowhere to go. I got on my knees and prayed for God to save me.”
Soon after, Nathan came to the Fresno Mission, where his life began to change.
“The Mission has given me a fresh vision for my future.”
Through biblical classes and Christian mentorship in our program, Nathan experienced what he calls a “spiritual awakening.”
“The Mission taught me who God really is and who I am through Him… I’ve found my identity in Jesus Christ,” he says.
The other men in our program have become like brothers to Nathan, encouraging him on his journey to rebuild his life. Today, he is taking steps to become a solar energy contractor, saving money and he hopes one day to own his own business!
Nathan is thankful for the kindness and compassion of loving neighbors like you – and how you’ve given him hope for the future. “I’m thankful to the Mission for giving me a fresh start and a new life.”
Nathan’s story appeared in the Summer 2023 edition of Lighthouse News.