My Testimony

My name is Miguel Villegas. I’m a Cuban American and was born in Miami, Florida. I was raised in a good home with loving parents. I never saw my parents argue. I have one brother and one sister. My family religion was Santeria which is a type of witchcraft or worship of saints.

I was introduced to crack cocaine at the age of fifteen. I was influenced by my cousin’s older friends. When I turned eighteen I started spending my paychecks on drugs. I still wanted to fit in with the older crowd. I didn’t realize what I was doing to my life. I continued in addiction, on and off for about fifteen years.

In 2014 my sister-in-law started attending a Christian church. My parents took me to this church with the hope that it would help me change my life. Within two weeks of attending this church my parents and I all received Jesus as our Lord and Savior. I continued walking with God for about three years and then started drinking again. I moved from Miami to Tampa and was attending church at Lighthouse Revival. When my dad passed away in 2017, I relapsed and went back to abusing drugs and alcohol. Due to my addiction, my girl’s mom left me and I was staying with a friend. I received a job offer to come to California. In California I met my fiancé Norma. I started an appliance delivery service and was earning a good income. Whenever my dad’s birthday or Father’s Day came around I would relapse. This led to me losing my business.

After losing my business I took a job at Home Depot and got deeper in my addiction. Norma made it clear that I was no longer welcome in her life due to my addiction.

At this point I started crying out to the Lord and asking Him to please help me to overcome the addiction. I didn’t want to live like this anymore. Within two hours of this prayer, Home Depot called and fired me for missing too many days of work. The Lord put it in my heart to start looking for a Program that could help me. The first two I called said they didn’t have any beds available. When I called Teen Challenge they told me to fill out the application and come in for an interview but that they might not be able to get me in right away. When I was leaving after the interview, Anthony stopped me and said the Lord spoke to him and told him to get me in right then.

The first thirty days were hard. I wasn’t able to call my family and the enemy was trying hard to take me out of the Program. But I started engaging in the Program, praying and digging into the Bible. Some of the brothers helped me stay strong by praying with me and encouraging me.

Before my black-out ended, we went to a local revival and the Holy Spirit came over me and I began speaking in tongues. I started feeling lighter and at peace.

When my black-out ended and I called Norma, she told me that she was about to be evicted. I knew I couldn’t leave the Program. I told her to trust God and pray. I walked by faith and God showed up! Three days before the rent was due, the Lord placed it on someone’s heart to donate the money for her rent. From that day forward I recommitted and surrendered fully to God and I know now, that all things are possible with God.

God has restored all of my family relationships and my relationship with Norma who I plan to marry as soon as possible.

I’ve been working in the T.C. kitchen for the last five months. I enjoy cooking & making people happy and serving others. I love making good food for people to enjoy. The Lord has put a passion in my heart to buy a food truck and start a food ministry and share my testimony with as many as will listen. I also would like to help the students that come thru the Program by teaching them to cook and serve. I would like to use the food truck to feed the homeless and minister to them.

I’ve applied for the Jimmy Lilly scholarship through the National Teen Challenge office. This scholarship would be a good start toward fulfilling my dream of purchasing a food truck or trailer and using it to bless the Kingdom.

Blessings in Christ, Miguel Villegas