Have you ever wondered if God really can turn your pain into purpose? Our guest today shares the peace he felt when he found Jesus after a lifetime of violence and how he uses it now to help others get free. Hector "Lefty" Perez is a mental health and sobriety advocate. He works installing HVAC systems and helps as many people as he can know the love of Christ. Today, Lefty shares what it was like growing up in East Los Angeles among violence, gangs, and drugs. He tells how he got sucked into the life, the moment he decided to get out, and turning his life over to Christ once and for all. Left also shares the difficult times he's experienced including relapse at times and how it led him to a life where he encourages others to give up drugs and live for Christ. Lefty's story reminds us that God loves us no matter what we have done. Listen to Lefty's story wherever you get your podcasts! Stories Lefty shared: Moving states to Colorado Being diagnosed with ADHD at seven and how it’s helped him with a career in trades Growing up in the Boyle Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles in an immigrant family His family’s Roman Catholic background Feeling angry as a child at God and his parents The violence he experienced in the neighborhood The neighbor who groomed him to become a criminal Beginning to get involved in crime Working as a bodyguard and making more money than he’d seen before Achieving everything he wanted and feeling anxious about it Attempting suicide and surviving Being given a choice about his future Getting married and struggling with drug addiction Meeting a pastor who shared the Gospel with him Reading John and feeling God’s presence Leading his father to Christ His mother’s disappointing reaction to his new faith Struggling with drug addiction Breakthrough with vulnerability Great quotes from Lefty: Every word I read was like painkiller for my soul and I wanted more. I was searching for peace and I only found it when I allowed Christ in my heart. I prayed, "I've done worse things for a nobody, let me do something good for you, a somebody." Resources we mentioned: Lefty's Instagram (DM him) Related episodes: Christina Dent and Compassion for Others Randy Mortensen and Removing the Stigma of Addiction Mike Bolton and the Power of Yes