That was actually one of my good friends and his story. I am a photographer and I came up with an idea to tell his story and other’s stories of finding God after extreme turmoil and suffering. I am so glad you read the story and saw God in it! I love hearing from people who love the Lord and can appreciate his remarkable stories.
Thank you! It is encouraging to hear from people who genuinely care about the messages I am trying to get out. You were my first message by the way haha. May the Lord bless you in all your days.
Photo set 1, Project photo- “The projects in west fresno is probably the last place a white kid from clovis to be hanging out in. My addictions to oxycontin pills lead me to one of Fresno most notorious streets “Lee ST” Home to a few different flavors of Crip gangs. I found this neighborhood a regular stop to aid in my drug sales/use.”
Photo 2- CHS Baseball Tower- “As my addictions worsened so did everything else in my life. Friends were no longer around and even the drug users I hung out with were reluctant to be around me because the severity of my drug addictions. My first night sleeping on the street alone with only the clothes on my back, sleeping bag, needle for drug use and a spoon to fix I remember this being one of the most emotional nights in my life. My life was a wreck and my dreams and hopes of being successful were completely shattered. I went for a walk before I laid my head to rest under the bench you see behind my head, to stay dry from the rain, and thought to myself that my life was destined for death, I just didn’t know when.”
Photo 3- Church- “I was never a church person or believer of Jesus Christ before this day… Jan 21, 2007. It became the most powerful day of my life. My life was at it’s all time lowest point with multiple days of sleeping on the street, no clothes to change into and blood stains all over the clothes I had from the needles for drug use. I was in complete ruins and in need. This turned out to be the greatest day of my life as Jesus Christ revealed his truths to me. The pastor who laid his hands on me said, “God has favored you in all that you’ve done in your life” “God is going to remove you from your addiction you don’t need to worry”. The next day I was arrested and sentenced to 4.5 years in prison where I served 23.5 months.”
Photo 4- Fresno County Jail- “Being in prison gave me enormous amounts of time to reflect on my life, going all the way back to the youngest memories i can think of. I noted all of my mistakes, perception flaws and most importantly studied Gods word with great passion and built a rock solid relationship with Jesus Christ. While in prison I felt a strong calling to return to BMX racing, which I did through high school, to race professionally and start a BMX outreach called the Freewheel Project for the youth of the world.”
Photo 5- Freewheel Project- “The Freewheel Project invites kids from the community of Fresno to come and ride with me, a professional BMX pro, and learn how to ride without needing a bike, helmet or any other gear normally necessary to ride because we provide that for them. Before we ride I speak for 5-10 minutes to the kids and give them bits of my testimony and use illustrations for connecting with the younger minds that may not normally be able to connect through words. After my speaking I go straight into instruction, going over the fundamental basics of riding a BMX bike on the track.”
photo 6- Freewheel Project Part 2.- “The Freewheel Project is more than riding bikes. It’s about teaching kids to BELIEVE. The main ingredient to accomplishing anything in life first comes through the Belief in oneself. A lot of the kids are scared and will verbally tell you that they can’t do it. I love when a kid tells me this because It gives me a moment to walk them overcoming their fears. They always have a huge smile on their face afterwards and I explain to them that the same fear that stopped them from going down the hill is the same fear that will stop them from accomplishing their dreams.”
photo 7- Freewheel Project Part 3- “How do you build confidence? Accomplishment. Accomplishment brings motivation and motivation means action and action leads to success. These kids have the ability to leave the Freewheel Project, some of which who experienced their first taste of feeling special, of feeling able. It’s the best feeling in the world to share that experience with these kids.”
Photo 8- BMX Racing- “Released from prison on Dec 13, 2008, returned to racing in May of 2009 as A-pro, in a short period of time 1.5 years I turned up to the AA-Elite men class, which is the highest ranking pro class in the world. Thanks to the Lord I was restored my talents and then some. I have a new perspective on life and this transfer straight into my focus and drive in my training and racing. Racing AA pro has been a battle but each race is getting better and my time will come even if it’s short. I’m now back to traveling the country monthly and visiting many states outside of california. In Oct I will try to qualify for my first world cup event that will be a Olympic points qualifier for the London 2012 games.”
