Sharon Irene Barkley - Central Oregon
A Testimony ...
by Ray David Vargas
Don Dickerman Ministries
Box 575 Hurst, TX 76053
...
Jesus Delivered Me From Gangs
...
I started using and selling drugs when I was
13 years old, and when necessary I was also carrying a gun. I grew up in
a tough environment. If you weren't into crime in my neighborhood, you
weren't "in". I offer no excuses however, I made all the choices.
I was a hope-to-die drug dealer, liar and gang
member. I was in a gang that was considered to be one of the most notorious
in the history of the State of California.
I could care less if tomorrow never arrived as
I was growing up on drugs. I did not care. This went on for years as I
was selling heroin. I would tell the junkies to rob, or steal and bring
me the money. They would! I have seen a few overdose and die from what
are called "hot shots", because they were late on their payments
or "burned" someone. I saw the narcotic business over the years
turn into all out war!
...
WE WERE NOT TO SPILL THE BLOOD OF A FELLOW
GANG MEMBER
...
During my years in the gang I saw the illegal
drug business change also. At first we were just a gang ... until a constitution
was drafted, that's when things began to change. Under the constitution
members all over were ordered to place all personal feelings and obligations
aside until the purpose and goals of the gang were accomplished. Members
were not to spill the blood of a fellow gang member.
We were to carry out all orders of the appointed
leaders on the power ladder of the gang as mandated by the constitution.
Members were to do battle for the gang without question. Many gang members
were highly respected and were given positions of power for gang "hits"
they had made.
...
IT WAS A LIFE WHERE YOU CONSTANTLY LIVED IN
DOUBT
...
One of the things I remember most among the many
years of gang activity is that it was a life where you constantly lived
in doubt. I was in charge of a regiment and during times of full alert,
armed body guards were assigned to me. I was a high-ranking member and
a gang enforcer. Once, I recall a high-ranking member announced he had
turned his life over to Christ. He was expelled from the gang and a few
weeks later he was shot to death.
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AUTOMATIC DEATH SENTENCE
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I have seen many of my friends die from overdoses
of heroin because the dope was too raw. Gang members were not allowed to
use any drugs, it was an automatic death sentence.
...
I was stunned when I learned of a situation.
During an internal power struggle, a "Captain" I was close to
was lured into a room by another gang member for a "hit". Two
gang members were waiting for him, one grabbed him with an extension cord
around his neck and another stabbed him 37 times and then cut his throat.
Why? They learned he had been "chipping" heroin.
...
I don't mean to disrespect any gang or any gang
member but I, myself, would never want to lead another dangerous life of
gang activity. I simply offer my testimony to warn anyone to think twice
before joining a gang. And, I say there is a better way through Christ
Jesus. I have seen so many lives torn apart by gangs.
...
It wasn't until years later that I finally had
come to my senses and come to grips with life. A friend kept inviting me
to Church which I kept putting off. I gave all kinds of excuses but then
one Sunday, for some strange reason, I went to see what this Jesus could
do for me. All I knew about Him is that He died a long time ago.
...
CHURCH MEMBERS PUT THEIR ARMS AROUND ME AND
STARTED TO PRAY
...
I went into the Church and turned into a "suitcase".
Church members put their arms around me and started to pray. Some of them
wept as we prayed the sinners prayer. I was just so sick and tired of being
sick and tired. I was to the point that I was abusing narcotics and I thought
if I was going to get out of it I was going to go all the way! It seemed
that up to that point all my life revolved around drugs and doing whatever
it took to get them and sell them. I had come from a family of heroin dealers,
so I knew the game. When I left that service I was sober and alive. During
the time of my conversion to Christ I was awaiting trial on my criminal
case.
...
I could have easily fled the country, but it
was members of this Church, who really didn't even know me, that posted
a $75,000 dollar property bond for my release. They told me if I was innocent
to go to court and face my trial. I told them I would go to trial and no
matter what happened I would take Christ with me ... even to prison! Amen.
...
Since then and my coming to prison I have done
much study about this Jesus. I find life is a lot deeper than most of us
wish to accept. One thing is for sure: There is a God above in a place
called heaven. I won't say I understand it all, but if God created the
world and everything that lives then what problem would this same God have
in raising the dead? Seems clear to me.
...
GOD HAS BEEN SO GOOD TO ME
...
I just give thanks and praise to the True and
Living Lord Jesus that has spared me from death, hell and the grave. God
has been so good to me allowing me to live this long. I was a violent person
years ago. When I accepted Christ it was as if I had a new nature. Drugs
change a person's nature, I witnessed junkies and prostitutes getting gunned
down in the streets for not paying their drug bills to the "pusher".
I had no pity for anyone, yet the Lord Jesus has shown me so much pity,
I have learned it is God's agape love, real love. He has plans for all
who heed His calling. I now have life eternal.
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DRUGS ARE A TOOL OF THE DEVIL
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Why I loved drugs so much is beyond me. Drugs
are a tool of the devil, drugs change and destroy our human nature. I became
violent. I was insane on drugs. I can say without hesitation that coming
to Christ will change anyone's life. It reduces crime and changes the moral
attitudes of mankind. Christ provides moral direction for people encouraging
them to avoid criminal behavior. That's the bottom line for me!
...
To those of you who are suffering, you can
pray this prayer:
...
"Father God, I have acknowledged Your
Son, Jesus Christ as my Lord and Redeemer. I am a sinner and I am ready
to receive the Light of Your revelation that comes from Him. Let that Light
find out every part of me and remove the darkness. Let it make me pure
and alive for Christ and let it shine through me to others in Jesus Name.
Amen."
...
Sharing Christ's Love and Grace,
Rey David Vargas
...
I would like to dedicate this testimony to our
sister in Christ, Karla Faye Tucker, who glorified God in her life and
death.
...
Don Dickerman Ministries
Box 575
Hurst, TX 76053
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