I was born into a respectable, middle-class family in Puerto Rico, the youngest of three children.

At the age of 10 I attended an all-night party where I consumed a large quantity of alcohol. The next day a friend gave me a pill with a promise that "this will make you feel better." This was the beginning of 15 years of drug dependency.

By the time I graduated from high school, I was a heroin addict. I indulged in a life of crime and drug dealing to feed my habit.

I entered several treatment facilities. I spent 6 years in a program where I was given daily doses of methadone in an attempt to satiate my appetite for drugs. Methadone controlled my heroin addiction, but I began using other drugs.

During this time I graduated from college with a major in psychology and opened a prosperous plant retail store.

I soon became tired of working all day. I saw how profitable the drug business was, so I became partners with my brother in a large drug distribution operation in New York City. We were so successful I went to Miami to run the drug cartel. During this time I met my wife Laura.

On a trip through North Carolina I was arrested in possession of 10,000 pounds of marijuana and $100,000 in cash. I made a plea bargain; however, I never appeared to do my time. I bought an I.D. package and adopted a new name and identity. I had become a professional criminal.

Later I was arrested in Maryland and charged with possession of 1,000 pounds of marijuana and 100,000 pounds of Quaalude. When the police told me I was under arrest, I pulled a .38 caliber pistol. Before I knew what happened, they had me handcuffed and in jail.

My bond was set at $250,000. I decided to wait a few days and ask for a reduction of the bond. While I was waiting, a war broke out within the cartel organization. One of my partners was killed, telephone numbers were changed, and everyone moved to new locations. I decided to develop another drug distribution operation in jail.

One day a volunteer from Teen Challenge prison ministry came to the jail and gave me a beautiful leather-bound Bible. I thanked him, but I wasn't about to read it. I gave it to another inmate. A few days later the inmate told me he was reading this Bible, and he was fasting and seeking God. He witnessed to me every day.

One night I open a Bible my mother had mailed me. I found myself reading, "How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge? Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you. Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded" (Proverbs 1:22-24). I closed my eyes and saw a picture of my life. I saw how much pain and grief I had caused my family, including my wife and 3-month-old daughter.

I fell to my knees and felt a strange presence in my cell. As tears flowed, I said, "God, I don't believe in You; but if You are real, I need help."

I continued reading Proverbs: "My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; so that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; if thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God" (Proverbs 2:1-5).

The next day I work a new man. I got out of the drug business and began reading my Bible every night. For the first time in 15 years I was free.

I began calling area churches asking them to teach Bible classes in prison. The jail personnel were so moved by my desire to help others that many wrote letters to the judge asking for mercy in my case. Against my lawyer's advice I pleaded guilty to the charges. I wanted to do what was right, and I knew God was faithful. God showed me He was with me when prison officials testified I was a different man. I was sentenced to 7 years -- a small sentence compared to the charges.

When I was handcuffed and led to my cell, I didn't know when I was going to see my wife and daughter again. I felt I would lose them. That night I cried to God, "Where are You? I need You."

The next morning I received a call from my wife. "I love you," she said. "Don't worry; I will wait. Keep strong."

I went back to my cell and worship the Lord Jesus Christ. I had seen a miracle. God was telling me to trust Him, that He would watch over me.

During my 3 years of incarceration I witnessed to others about Jesus Christ. My wife began attending Teen Challenge Assembly of God, Puerto Rico, and accepted the Lord into her life.

My mother visited the church the day before she was to have an operation for cancer and was baptized in the Holy Spirit. The congregation prayed for her, and she was healed. No operation was necessary.

Before I was released on parole, God showed me He wanted me to go to Teen Challenge. One night as I was sleeping, I sensed God speaking to my heart, "Manuel, be faithful. I am going to use you, and I will do great things through you. I will take you places you never dreamed of before." I knew it was not my imagination. God restored my mind and gave me hope. He filled me with the Holy Spirit.

After 24 months in jail I was released to enter Teen Challenge of Maryland, Capitol Heights, directed by Mike Zello, Sr., a nationally appointed home missionary. This man and his family showed me so much love. Their lives and dedication to Christ were a powerful testimony to me.

After I spent only a few months at Teen Challenge, I sensed God leading me back to North Carolina where I was wanted as a fugitive. I was given a short sentence there and was able to preach the Word and share my testimony in jail.

The day I was released, Zello gave me a car and offered me a counselor's position with Teen Challenge of Maryland. Two days later I was reunited with my wife and 3-year-old daughter.

As a counselor I began witnessing to my brother and his family. They gave their hearts to God and are now active church members. My cousin also gave his life to God and now pastors in Virginia.

To my surprise, after attending several Hispanic ministers meetings, I was elected president of the Hispanic Evangelical Ministers. I was then promoted to resident director of Teen Challenge of Maryland and elected treasurer of New Life Assembly of God, Capitol Heights, pastored by Zello.

There is no limit to what God can do. God heard my cry for help years ago in my jail cell. He answered my prayers. He has performed miracle after miracle in my life. Praise the Lord.