Dustin’s Success Story

Dustin Looks Forward to Using His Story to Help Others Off the Streets

It was the “Jesus Saves” sign that first caught my attention. Driving through Ogden with my sister, I noticed the sign and asked her to pull over. Without hesitation, I walked inside and shared my struggle with a 30-year meth addiction.

They welcomed me into the New Life Program—the Ogden Rescue Mission’s long-term life transformation  program for people like me who had struggled for years with substance abuse. I told my sister I was staying at the Mission, and she drove away in my car.

A few days later, I learned my car had been impounded. I was upset, and I decided to leave the New Life Program to see what I could do to get it back.

But then, a friend of mine stopped me. He looked me in the eye and asked, “What’s more important to you—your car or the Lord? Do you want to find your car, or do you want to find the Lord?”

His words hit me hard. When he put it that way, I knew what my answer had to be. I let my car go and chose to stay in the New Life Program. For the first time in my life, I began to develop a real relationship with God through His Son, Jesus.

A Life Defined by Addiction

I grew up in California during the ‘80s and early ‘90s. My parents were deep into the meth scene, and my family—two brothers, two sisters, and I—were all caught up in it. It was a difficult childhood. My father was abusive, often beating me, and I started using meth at an early age.

When my father was murdered in 1994, my family moved to Northern Utah, but my addiction to meth didn’t stop. I spent 10 years in prison for distributing meth, and when I got out, I returned to using. I convinced myself I was a “functional addict” because I could hold down jobs for a while, but the truth was most of my jobs didn’t last. My addiction often led to me being in and out of jail for minor, drug-related offenses.

Growing up, my family wasn’t religious, and I wasn’t taught much about the Bible. So, I was just as surprised as anyone when the “Jesus Saves” sign at the Ogden Rescue Mission seemed to call out to me. I can’t explain it, but something in me urged me to have my sister stop the car and let me go inside.

A New Hope

I had seen people who go to church have a joy that I lacked. I knew I had been trying to fill the emptiness inside with drugs, but they never worked. They never filled the void.

At the Ogden Rescue Mission, I attended Bible studies, chapel services, and church. I also had individual meetings with the staff. Through all of this, I came to know Jesus as my Savior.

Today, I attend church every Sunday with Pastor Greg, the Mission’s chaplain. He has been a great mentor to me, as has Ms. Judy, who guided me through the Genesis Process recovery curriculum.

A Christmas to Remember

This past Christmas was the first time I was able to spend the holiday with my family. My sister invited me over, and it felt like a blessing. When I was using meth, she wouldn’t even tell me where she lived. But this Christmas, my adult nephew and his three children were there, calling me “uncle.” It felt like a godsend.

A New Purpose

Today, I genuinely care for others. I’m working as an intern at the Mission, where I help people who come in for the night. I direct them to where they can eat, give them gloves, offer advice, and listen to their struggles. I try to let them know they don’t have to be out on the streets alone; they can join the New Life Program, just like I did.

My hope is that my internship will lead me to a place where I can continue helping the homeless. But, ultimately, I know it’s up to God and His plan for me. I ask for your prayers that God’s will would be done in my life and that I would continue to build deeper relationships with my family and my church family at North Park Church in Roy.

Thank You

Thank you so much for your continued support of the Ogden Rescue Mission. God changed my life here, and your generosity has meant, and continues to mean, the world to me.