Real Testimonies: Alfred Arellanes, "So Far, But Now So Close"

Growing up Catholic as a kid and going to church was not a great experience, such as kids pulling my hair when I sat in the pews. As I got older in my early teens, I found another church but I felt Jesus wasn’t explained well or that I just didn’t pay attention. In my 20’s and 30’s I was so far from God. My bad behavior got me sent to prison. The only good that came out of it was when one time they confined me in a secluded room. There I found a book on the floor. I needed something to read. It was the New Testament. I read a little but then my name was called to transfer me out of the room. Something inside my heart said to take the book with me. I did and I felt it was God’s way of saying it is His time that I’ll know Him, and it was up to me to believe. He told me He will not force me to believe. The more I read the more questions I had about Him. Thank goodness that I didn’t put the Bible down. Some time soon, I believed in Him as my Lord and Savior. Now I try to do my best to receive my daily bread. Even when thing don’t go so well, He is always with me. He never said it would be easy. He tells me to have faith and to share Him to others. To God be the glory.