I came from an alcoholic family. My parents fought all the time. At 13 I began drinking and doing drugs. A year later my father died, which made my mother drink and yell even more. I couldn't handle living at home, so I left with only the clothes on my back, and my guitar.

I earned a living by playing the guitar at a local shopping area. I made enough to cover my habit. Usually someone would feel sorry for me, take me home, feed me, and give me a place to stay. One couple invited me home and unofficially adopted me. They were in a local motorcycle club. They taught me the ropes of making and distributing drugs. It wasn't long before I went to jail.

The courts sent me back home to live with my mother. I finished high school and married a wonderful lady. We did drugs recreationally, but I held down a good job as a cabinet maker. We were married 12 years when I caught her cheating on me. We separated, and 5 months later she was killed in an automobile accident. I didn't find out she was dead until two weeks later. I tried to get my children back from their Grandparents, but it was a huge fight. And, I knew my kids were better off with their grandma, than a drug addicted biker.

For the next 20 years I was in and out of prison. The last time I was in prison I met a convict doing life. He was a born again Christian, and taught me a lot about God. After being released, I led a good life as a trucker, got married, and thought I was happy. But 2 years later, I started doing drugs again.

It was time to seek help. After countless times in jail, several failed marriages, and trying to quit drugs on my own, I just couldn’t do it! So, I came to the Mission for help. At the age of 52, I am finally learning how to live a life worth living!!! Amen!

Since I have come to the mission, the most incredible thing has happened. I received a phone call from my children, who I haven't seen in 20 years. They have been looking for me for over 10 years. And they found me, here at the mission. We have reconciled and speak once a week. God is so good. I praise God and the Mission for giving me back my life. - Jim Ewers