NATIVE SON OF COLORADO

An actual native son of Colorado, I was born in Boulder and raised in Lafayette.  My father died when I was two. In the absence of a father, I had three uncles who helped fill the father role, and model for me the culture of our family system – alcoholism. Later in my teens my mother married a man who, not only drank heavily, but also owned a bar. They fought and I assumed a new role as my mother’s protector.

I drank during my High School years mainly because every one else did.  Socializing around a keg of beer and partying like there was no tomorrow, except that tomorrow always came with hangovers and other problems.

I was drafted in 1968, and served a year’s tour in Viet Nam.  The military taught me how to hold my liquor.  Little did I know where holding my liquor would take me.  Returning to civilian life, I not only drank, but started to smoke marijuana.  My drugs of choice were a beer and a joint.

After two failed marriages, my drinking became worse.  I could drink a bottle of rum and still function, so I thought.  I began to have black outs, asking people the next day "Did I have fun last night?" I was not able to remember events that happened or how I arrived home.  Eventually I got into trouble - fights, arguments with friends, etc. I was in  DENIAL that I had a problem! 

Eventually I was court-ordered to spend 30 days in jail or seek help from the VA Hospital, and of course I chose the VA.  What I learned in the VA alcohol rehab, was how to manipulate the system - Say the right things to the right people.  I never really wanted to accept the fact that I was an alcoholic.

Then I ran into an old friend that I lived, partied, and did drugs with, but he had changed.   He began to tell me how faith in God and His Son helped him to get off drugs.  By that time I knew I was powerless to help myself.  I became convinced that the answer was in a Higher Power than myself, so I asked God to give me a new life through His Son Jesus.  I still continued to drink and smoke marijuana, but soon I began to surround myself with people who would encourage me to live a clean life and have fellowship with like- minded people who didn’t drink or drug.

I am presently on the Sunrise Leadership Team - helping others to sobriety through the Sunrise Support Groups.  I believe Gods plan for my life is to use this testimony and the experiences I've had to help others in their fight with alcohol and drug addiction.

From my point of view the same issues that confront us now, haven't changed much, but the permanent cure is available. I believe I would be dead now if it wasn't for the Grace of God.

       - Tom Martinez

Without a doubt, the Holy Spirit healed and delivered me through the help of Sunrise Ministries. I now have emotional wholeness and peace. Today I live with a new sense of purpose, freedom and adventure.

I esteem Sunrise Ministries because they teach the truth that Jesus Christ can set you free from any addiction. I attended Sunrise in the early days of my recovery weekly for a period of two years. I remain thankful for my time spent with them.

     - Jean

Thank God for Sunrise Ministries!

I was fortunate to come from a loving and stable home. My parents are strong Christians and we were in church every Sunday and then some.

At an early age I began drinking; I was around 14. I looked a lot older than I was which allowed me to drink in bars and restaurants well before the legal age of 21.  By my late 20’s, I was a full-blown alcoholic.

During my lowest point, I made several unsuccessful attempts at alcohol intervention programs.  I went twice to inpatient treatment centers; my longest stay was 28 days. In addition I lost my driver’s license and numerous relationships. These are just a few illustrations of the negative affe3ts of alcohol on my life.

From the depths of my heart, I am thankful that this is no longer my life. There is only One power that can truly break the addiction of alcohol. That power is Jesus Christ. Trust me, I tried everything from AA to 28 days of inpatient rehab.

I esteem Sunrise Ministries, because they teach the truth that Jesus Christ can set you free from any addiction. I attended Sunrise in the early days weekly for two to three years. I remain thankful for my time spent with them.  I am a new creature, the old things have passed away! This is my new reality, as it says in 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

Today, by God’s grace I am married to a most wonderful man and I have a beautiful daughter. I am also most thankful for my parents who pray daily for me and never gave up on me. I am truly fortunate and blessed. 

   - Paula

What God did for me through Sunrise Ministries:

I was married to a man whose drug of choice was alcohol. The emotional, physical and sexual abuse I sustained cannot be put into words.  When alcohol no longer gave him that feeling of euphoria, my husband began to sleep with other women.  I became severely depressed and planned to end my life.

A friend told me about “Sunrise” and I began to attend the meetings. At Sunrise I felt loved and accepted instead of being lectured or judged, I felt welcomed to share my problems, knowing that all would be strictly confidential. So the process of healing began.

I know without a doubt that the Holy Spirit healed and delivered me through the help of Sunrise Ministries and I am now living with emotional wholeness.

   - Sandra