My gambling buddy got religion.

It’s really hard to admit you’re an alcoholic and addict to gambling. I’t hard to admit you’re addicted to excess.

I was born in Japan. I was adopted when I was three months old by an American couple in the United States Air Force. Shortly after coming to America my adoptive parents divorced. My mother was an alcoholic. I saw al lot of things kids should never see.

Growing up poor, not having male figures around, it’s hard to put your faith in something you can’t see. I remember as a ten year old kid saying, “I just don’t believe that all the the suffering I see everyday, that a loving God would put you in a situation like this.” 
From that point I just lived my life for me. I didn't care about anybody else; not even my family. I just lived a selfish life.

Bob and I were card players. We played cards all around for years. Then the Lord led him away from that environment. One day after that he called me and said, “Hey, I just want to know if you'd like to go to church with me?” I winced and said, “I don’t know if that’s really what I want to do.” Then I thought, “Well, I see the difference it’s made in him. What’s the difference it can make in me?” I went with him. I didn’t want to be there. I was nauseous. The pastor talked about grace and mercy and it led me in a different direction in my life. I began to realize I couldn’t keep going like I was going because I was on a destructive path.

Knowing that God spared me from the things I deserved and blessed me with the things I didn’t deserve was overwhelming. I began to think, “I’m just not living my life right.” I asked Jesus into my life and said, “If you want me to change, you’re going to have to do this. I can’t do it by myself. I’m just not the kind of person that can do that.” It was instant. Something came over me and I knew from that day I would never be the person I was before. Following Jesus Christ became my new addiction. He replaced all the bad stuff. I became free. I began to live a life of freedom, a life of peace and security with God in my life with unconditional love.