Testimonies

Carol Davis–
In His Steps Alumni

Revelation 12:11

They overcame him

By the blood of the Lamb

And by the word of their testimony;

Are you sick and tired of being a slave to your addiction? There is a future and hope, in the life of Jesus Christ.

I was overcome by the darkness of drugs and alcohol. I saw no way out. I had tried before to get clean but there was failure so many times, I had lost track. I was leaning on my own understanding and trying to do it on my own strength. Trying to even think about how I was able to do anything to get out, was not there. I had lost everything; my family did not want anything to do with me. I was lost. There were times that God even showed up but I disregarded his warning. He was calling me to Himself but I ignored his voice, and kept on with my addiction.

Then on the corner of Escondido Blvd. and Mission Ave. in Escondido I cried out to God to please save me. I could not do this anymore. I could not even think for myself. Then I went to Escondido sobering center and they let me in. While I was there I heard about In His Steps women’s home in Ramona. I had never been to a recovery center or meetings because my thinking before was,” I didn’t have a problem, everyone else was the problem. Who was I hurting, it was my life not theirs. I’m not hurting anyone”. But those were all lies from the enemy Satan. After one week, I meet Mr. Bob Denny, director of In His Steps, who came to visit some men that were at the sobering center. He told me that they had just purchased a home for women, and for me to fill out a form and pray and for me to keep calling. The next week Nicki Ferguson, the director for the women’s home was there to pick me up. That was April 11, 2000.

In 3 months, I got a job with Hatfield House, which is a group home for high risk teens who had to be monitored in behavior and driven to school, then to meetings. Close to being there a year, Bob and Linda Denny asked me to lunch and asked me what my plans were. I just wanted to continue to go to meetings at In His Steps and work at the group home for boys. They asked me to be House Manager for the Women’s home, which I gladly accepted.  With-in that first year I heard my Shepherds voice. John 15:11 Jesus said; the joy I have, I give to you, so your joy may be complete. I wanted to know what this joy, he was talking about. Well that sent me on a quest to dig deep into His word. I have been here at In His Steps for 17 years. I am just one of the house managers. The big house holds 10 ladies. We take them to work, pick them up, to court and doctor’s appointments. Assign chores. I have an Advance Diploma in Biblical Studies from Faith Bible Institute given to me in December 2010. Teach Celebrate Recovery along with other Biblical studies throughout the week.

The reason today, why I don’t do drugs and alcohol is because I don’t want to lose my relationship that I have with the Lord Jesus Christ. This is more important to me than anything, is to be able to hear my Shepherd.

Jeremiah 33:3 God says, call to me and I will answer and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.  Do you want to know?

Sister in Christ

Carol

Dan Smith–
In His Steps Alumni

Dan has been a resident of Ramona for the last 16 years. “I was a career alcoholic. I thought that depending on booze for life was acceptable and normal.” Pretty soon Dan was drinking more and enjoying it less. In 1966, Dan turned his heart over to the Lord at Calvary Chapel. Even after asking the Lord into his life, Dan continued to be his old self. After a particularly vicious bout, Dan dropped to his knees and asked the Lord to help him. “God asked me to turn my life over to Him, and I surrendered completely.” The next day, mid December, 1998, Dan went to In His Steps Christian Recovery Home. “

I learned that I must absolutely give my life to God. He does not lie: He will deliver. I have been truly reborn since I came to In His Steps. The Lord has given me a wonderful life. I have the perfect job and next month, I will marry the perfect Christian woman. I have never been happier and I know it’s because I have asked my Lord and Savior into my life.”

Jerda Herrera–
In His Steps Alumni
Healing Prayer Ministry/Teacher/House Manager-Retired

Let me tell you about my Jesus!

Perhaps you are on this website looking for a rehab or a recovery home for yourself or your loved one. If that is the case I assume it is not just a casual thumbing through the internet for a possibility someday. Addiction is a life or death situation..I ask you to, please pause here and consider In His Steps Christian recovery home. Take a deep breath, say a prayer for God’s comfort and guidance. I believe He will speak to your heart, and you will sense His presence. God is good. Every good thing comes from heaven above.

This is my story:

1/29/2007 my son dropped me off at the women’s home. I had never heard of In His Steps before. In fact, I remember thinking, Ramona? Who lives in Ramona? Prior to that date, I lived on the streets of El Cajon, recycling to support my drug habit. I couldn’t afford rent, because I spent every bit of money I had on drugs or cigarettes. Everything else was secondary! I am not joking. That is what addiction will do! The pain of missing my children, the despair of my lifestyle drove me further and further into addiction. Homeless, rebellious and a victim! God rescued me from the muck and mire of the storm drain that I called home.

I waited patiently for the Lord: He turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in Him. Psalm 40:1-3

That was in January of 2007. The first year of sobriety I had to learn or relearn lessons contrary to street living. I actually needed a lot of help. I will always be grateful for the patience and guidance the staff showed me. Recovery requires focus and discipline. It was one of the best years of my life. I absolutely fell in love with Jesus. I found out I could function, in fact hold down a job. I paid my rent. I learned a lot and enjoyed fellowship with a house full of sisters in Christ. I graduated January 2008, exactly a year from the day I arrived. I will always consider graduating from In His Steps as one of my greatest achievements. Three days after I had arrived, there was a triple graduation. I was sure I saw angels floating above the graduates as they gave their testimonies. That is when the Lord put it on my heart that I was going to be able to reach that goal as well, and so I did! It seemed nearly impossible but, with God all things are possible.

The Lord didn’t just take away my craving for drugs and the call to that rebellious lifestyle; He gave me a brand new life.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behind, the new has come. 2 Corinthians 5:17.

The Lord continues to grow us up and He gives us opportunities to mature in our faith. That year as a resident was a special blessing that I will always cherish. The cozy home and the Christian fellowship was so soul quenching after surviving on the streets so many years.

That is what I wanted you to know as the reader. It is not just a rehab or place to learn how not to do drugs or drink alcohol, it is truly a ministry where the residents learn how to live, and breath, in Jesus..

1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son purifies us from all sin.