This is the fourth story in a series chronicling this year’s theme of “Access and Opening Doors.” This month, we look into Ralph’s story, recounting his journey to a new life.

As the on-site manager of The City Center, a transitional living center for homeless families with children in Ventura, Ralph spends a good part of his day making sure that the facility is clean, functioning, and reflective of the love and care that he feels towards the residents. “We are a family here and I try to show that in what I do,” said Ralph.

“The children all know me and call me ‘Mr. Ralph’ and my tool cart is covered with little trinkets that they have given me. But the relationships that I have with the kids and their parents has only been possible through what I learned in my time at the Mission.”

Ralph’s story is about hope regained, learning to care for others, and trusting God as he steps through the doors that have been opened for him.

Ralph came to the Mission in November 2015 after walking from Canoga Park. After leaving a recovery program in the Valley, he felt drawn to Oxnard and ended up at the Transit Center after a three-day journey. Shortly after arriving, Ralph was asked by a man if he was going to the Mission to eat. “I had never heard of the Mission, but since I was told it was only a block away and since I was really hungry, I walked over.”

Upon seeing the big “Jesus Saves” message on one of the buildings, Ralph suddenly felt that he was where he needed to be. “I was overwhelmed by the feeling that God had led me here,” he recalled.

But though he had found his way to the Mission, Ralph knew that this was just the beginning. “I really had no hope when I arrived. My sons were no longer talking to me, and I couldn’t look at myself without feeling despair. I had fallen into a bottle and couldn’t find my way out.”

Slowly, though, Ralph began to trust that it was truly God’s will that he was here. “Once I surrendered to that, I started to heal,” he said. In particular, he pointed out Chaplain Carl’s Spiritual Warfare class as having the biggest impact on him. “That’s where I learned about the power of God’s love, direction, and protection.”

At some point in the program Ralph also developed a true relationship with Christ, saying that “up to that point I had in believed in God, but I wasn’t aware of the transformative power of Jesus. After that, the healing really began.”

After completing the program, Ralph spent two years as a Ministry Resident. Looking back on that time now, he sees that God was working on a “masterplan” for his life. “God was still working on my heart as I was learning to care for others.”

More doors opened for Ralph as he became a staff member, first working as overnight security and then eventually as House Manager. “I was continuing to grow this whole time, deepening my relationship with Christ, learning to see with eyes of compassion, and putting others above myself. It wasn’t always easy, but looking back on where I was, the change was amazing!”

It was during this time that Ralph reconnected with his high school sweetheart, and they were eventually married. “I had prayed that I would have someone in my life again, but it wasn’t until I had healed enough that it happened,” said Ralph. “God’s timing is always perfect.”

All this was leading up to Ralph and his wife Melanie being offered their positions as managers at The City Center. “My time at the Mission really prepared me for what I do now,” said Ralph. “I learned how to communicate with people, not to judge them, and to let myself be vulnerable and open. After all that God had done for me, I am so blessed to be able to give back to those we serve.”

While working to help the 30 families that live at The City Center, Ralph is continually feeling the presence of God’s love. “We are a big family here and we truly look out for each other.”

Ralph is grateful for each of the doors that were opened for him along the journey that started at the Mission over nine years ago. “None of this would have been possible if I hadn’t, with God’s direction, taken that first step through the doors of the Mission.”