Hello, my name is Israel Torres and for the last twenty-seven years, I’ve been in a battle with addiction.  I’ve lived in the streets, in and out of lock-up, rehabs, hospitals, and every kind of institution you could think of trying to find a solution.  I even faced death a few times.  Even though I grew up in a Christian home and was born again at the age of fifteen, my life kept – and for the most part, keeps spinning out of control.  I know the answer to my problems, but seeking the answer is where the flesh has kept me captive.   I am now back at CITA for the second time. The last time I was here, I thought I had all the answers and I that I could somehow solve my problems my own selfish way.  I learned I was nowhere near ready, so I must now listen and be still.  I must continue to be in His Word, pray and meditate until I feel a true change transforming my heart.  Without Christ being first in my life, I will never make anything out of it.  I will continue to self-medicate and continue to lie to myself. 

I thank God for CITA, for being the foundation of my first steps toward becoming the man God has called me to be.  One thing I know for sure, is that if you aren’t ready, if you aren’t seeking the truth you are going to continue to fight the battle on your own.  When we try to fight on our own it is never a good outcome, because victory is in Jesus.