I always dreamed of having a happy life. Family, friends and money were part of my daily aspirations. At home, my parents argued constantly, so I thought this was normal, but over time, these family problems snowballed into unimaginable proportions. Arguments, contempt, the silent treatment were so common that I convinced myself my dreams would never come true.

I grew up in this environment and decided to learn more about the “good” part of life. This was when I started being influenced by my friends. In fact, I treated them as if they were my real family. I met other people and of course, each came with their own baggage of thrilling experiences. I jumped on the bandwagon – just as they told me to. What set off the following events was when I started going out to nightclubs. We were always looking for the next best party. I felt like I was in another world. I thought I was doing the right thing, so I delve deeper, and this was when I was offered my first joint (marijuana). At first I said no, thinking I was strong enough to control myself, but when you get mixed up with the wrong crowd, you become enslaved by them. After they continuously insisted, I gave in and decided to try it, at this time I was already drinking heavily. Bishop, it’s incredible, once you try it you can’t stop!

After the marijuana came the other drugs, and all I wanted was to be like them. My behavior changed and so did my clothes because I started dressing goth. And as if all this weren’t enough, I delve further and became involved in homosexual activities. There came a point when I slept with 20 girls in the same day. I thought I was the best. What’s interesting is that I thought I was doing the right thing, but I was being tremendously foolish.

As always, the pleasures of this world also brought traumatic consequences in my life. The first was depression. When I came home from the parties, I locked myself in my room and, after facing reality, a deep void invaded my soul. This happened all the time, especially since my relationship with my parents was nonexistent. I stole things out of my own home to support the addictions. After being let down several times by different girls I liked, I decided to start going out with boys again and see if that was the problem, but I was just disappointment even more. To put an end to all this, I tried to commit suicide by cutting my wrists.

At the time, my older sister was already going to the Universal Church, so after my suicide attempt, she invited me once again. After saying, “no” so many times, I decided to say, “yes”. As soon as I got there, I was immediately approached by a young girl who told me about all the current activities happening at the Church. She invited me to join the Youth Group and explained how much I deserved to be happy. Bishop, the funny thing is that I couldn’t bear to hear my sister talking about the Church, but I had to sit there and listen to this girl be so kind to me, when I didn’t even know her.

Today I am delivered from the addictions, depression and bad friendships (this was my biggest sacrifice). I love my family and live a truly happy life. I am proud to be part of the assistants group, helping many who walk into the UCKG in the same situation I was in.

Thank you, Bishop, for everything you endured and faced to keep this door open. It was through this door that I found an answer when death seemed like the only solution. It was through this door that I found salvation.

Patricia Leonel