Coming Home by Garron

My journey to Steelbridge was down a long hard road. I was living on the streets of Albuquerque. I was a pagan addicted to fentanyl, heroin, and alcohol. One night, I was wandering the streets looking for somewhere safe to sleep. I was checking car doors, car lots, and sheds. Praying that I could find a place to sleep to any “higher power” that would listen. I eventually came across a shed in an industrial part of town that by some miracle had a broken latch and electricity. I was so grateful! I finally had a safe place to lay my head at night and rest up for work. I lived in this shed for a couple of months and took showers at my mother’s house once a week. One day as I was getting ready to hop in the shower, I glanced in the mirror and was appalled by what I saw. I could see my femurs, my hips were popping out, my cheeks were sucked in, and my hair was absolutely out of control. I didn’t like who I was.

I still went to work that night and tried to power through everything I was feeling. I was out of money, out of drugs, and out of hope trying to work my shift at a very high-volume, high-class restaurant. So, I called Mother (while still trying to work) and asked if I could come over. At first, she told me no, that I had already used my once-a-week shower at her house. That’s when I broke down, not in tears, but in anger. I was angry at myself and all the stupid stuff I had been up to. I was so angry at whom I had become. I had left my newborn daughter and the love of my life to chase a high that would eventually kill me.

I continued to beg my mother to let me come over and help me. I wanted her to take me to the hospital so I could detox and find a program. She eventually said yes and let me come over after work and she let me stay the night. The next morning, she took me to a psychiatric hospital because the detox was getting really painful and messing with my mind. While in detox I learned of Steelbridge Ministries from another patient. I was really nervous about coming here because I was a pagan that didn’t believe in Jesus at the time. But after about two months in the program, I felt the Holy Spirit come over me.

I continued on my walk and got baptized at Legacy church. After a lot of hard work and dedication to Steelbridge, I can now see my daughter anytime I want, I am working on my relationship with her mother and I am now the Men’s Program Manager of Steelbridge Ministries. Now every day I get to help other men find and stay on their path towards Jesus and sobriety.