Travis grew up all over Tucson; His family constantly moved due to financial challenges.
Abandoned by his father and emotionally wounded by a mother who constantly told him he was "just like his dad." From age 10, he turned to drugs, trying to numb the pain of feeling unwanted and unloved. Years of addiction consumed him, and prison seemed like his only reality, until he first heard about Gospel Rescue Mission through word of mouth.
At 18, people on the streets would tell him, "If you're homeless, go to Gospel." At first, it was just a survival tip—a place to find shelter and basic needs. He started visiting the previous GRM location in South Tucson, becoming familiar with it.
But he wasn't ready to change, and so addiction continued, but GRM was always in the background, a constant reminder that another life was possible.
When he was at his lowest, completely broken and hopeless, he remembered GRM. When he finally came back, something was different.
God's love was waiting for him, and ever being part of this community, he says, "The faculty, the people that work here, I love you guys. You guys have become a part of my life."
For the first time in over twenty years, Travis felt alive. Travis says, “I was a totally different person than I am now, and I'm glad I'm self-aware of that now because I hate being like that.”
Travis surrendered to God. He started working on himself and opening his heart to healing.
Now, Travis is a transformed man. He's working on his 12-step program, attending church, and dreaming of working at the place that saved his life.
He explains, “I'm never gonna go back to using drugs again. I don't care who passes away in my family, what God throws my way. It's not more than I can handle.”
His advice for others would be "Love yourself enough to quit doing that to yourself. It's amazing the way you can actually feel alive again."
To read more stories like Travis' visit
www.grmtucson.com
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