"GOD set me free. I don’t need methadone...heroin...I have Christ in my life! God uses Master's Touch as a strong tool in man's restoration. The grace of God is in this place...it is so powerful in this place....for people who really want to change their life. First, you have to find yourself in God...and this is the place to do that."

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But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. - Matthew 6:33

Josué's Story

Living in a Christian home with his family in Puerto Rico, at age 15, Josué's father was brutally murdered by local teens. This devastating loss took its toll on Josué, and he became an angry and revengeful young man. By age 16, he turned to marijuana to cope with his sorrow.....then on to cocaine. Turning away from his church and family he became mentally, spiritually and emotionally lost.

For 13 years he wandered and continued to numb his pain with drugs. Then....his "friend" turned him on to heroin. During those lost years, Josué was in and out of trouble with the law, estranged from his family - and only by God's grace, was he spared being sentenced to prison.

It was "that" experience which finally got his attention! Josué was scared and desperate to change. But how?? Depending on his own strength, he tried all the ways "he" thought would help......doctors, psychologists, medications, relationships. None worked, and he returned to drugs every time…..eventually adding "meth" to the list.

Desperate, in 1997, Josué fled Puerto Rico and came to the States. Along with him, however, came paranoia, depression and panic attacks. He made his way to Chicago; trying to enter various detox programs, but without insurance he received little help. He was desperate to stop and ready to die rather than continue the life he had.

However...God had other plans!

During all the years Josué drifted, his Mom and family never stopped praying for him. It was through his Mom's prompting that he contacted a family friend and Aurora Pastor, Chaplin Miguel Perez. Chaplin Perez immediately went to pick up Josué and brought him to Wayside. Josué recalls the welcoming he received and how strongly he felt God’s presence. And with God’s strength he was finally delivered from the many….. many years of drug addiction.

While in the Master's Touch program, Josué worked in the warehouse and at Hope Chest, Wayside's resale store, and graduated from the program. Today, he continues in Phase 4 as a resident, working full time and is an active member and volunteer at his church, Family & Faith in Aurora. He continues to remain in close contact with his wonderful Mom and family back home.