"As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you, continue ye in my love."
John 15:9

As I look back on the circumstances of my life that led to this cry from my heart, I marvel at the mercy of God. I was 24 years old, and it seemed as if my life was over. I was suicidal. Alcohol and drugs had so clouded my view I could see no hope for the future - but God had a plan!

Early Years

I was born in Anchorage, Alaska but grew up in Fairbanks. I was adopted when I was five days old. Though it wasn't legal, in the Eskimo way, my natural mother gave me to a woman from her home village, Kotzebue. My natural father was an Athabaskan Indian from a village along the lower Yukon River. He committed suicide when I was just a baby.

My most vivid memories of growing up involved alcohol. Drinking was the "normal" way of life for my family and the families we associated with. I have few memories of my adoptive father, he worked away from home most of the time. When I was seven, he died in a freak accident.

But I do remember that he and Mom fought, sometimes violently. One time, Dad beat Mom; she bled from her nose and mouth. He dragged her by her hair into the kitchen to bleed on the linoleum floor instead of on the carpet. After Dad died, Mom spent most of her time drinking. Eventually, the state took me away and placed me in foster homes. After a couple of years, Mom got custody of me again.

Wheeling and Dealing

Alcohol and drugs consumed my teenage years. I spent most of my time "wheelin' and dealin'" on the streets of Fairbanks and Anchorage. Somehow, I managed to stay one step ahead of the law. It was fun at first. Life seemed to be one big party.

At 17, I landed a job on the Alaska pipeline. The oil boom of the mid-70's, like the gold rush at the turn of the century, had a major impact on Alaska (mostly negative).

I had never seen so much money. It was nothing to blow $1000 a night on cocaine and marijuana. Wine, women, and song! Nothing mattered except my own selfish pleasures. As I look back, much of that decade is a blur in my mind.

Then the money ran out and so did my so-called friends. The harsh realities of a life of sin came crashing down upon me. I began to drink harder and run faster from the emptiness within. I was filled with fear and insecurites. I knew my life was spiraling dangerously out of control, but I tried to act as if I didn't care.

My heart was hard and bitter; I began to hate myself and what I was becoming. I took my frustrations out on those closest to me - family and friends. Nothing mattered except "getting high." As time went on, I found less reason to live and more reasons to end it all.

The Wreck

Then, in 1979, something happened that God used to change the direction of my life. One summer evening - after I had been drinking and smoking dope since early morning - I went for a ride on my motorcycle. I remember passing cars as if they were standing still and weaving in and out of traffic. I was on a fairly narrow, two-lane highway south of Anchorage. I came to a straight stretch of the road that goes into a pretty sharp corner. I stomped on the gas and took off like a bullet, I tried to slow down before the corner, but I misjudged my distance and started into it traveling over 80 MPH.

I remember thinking, "I hope there's nobody coming." By that time, I was in the on-coming lane, and, to my horror, I saw that I was headed into the front of h big truck. The truck driver saw what was about to happen and swerved out of the way. I slid past the back bumper of the truck caught me just below my left knee cap, and that threw me off my motorcycle. I went sliding and rolling down the highway and ended up in a ditch. I was shocked when I looked down at my leg. All I saw was white bone and red meat from my knee to my ankle.

I ended up in the hospital even more angry and bitter. I shared a room with a Christian, Eskimo man. At first, I couldn't stand being stuck in the bed next to a "Christian." We had nothing in common. He loved the things I hated; I loved the things he detested. As time passed, God used that gentle, loving, and very patient man to slowly melt my heart. For the first time since I was a child, I began to wonder if God was real. But I resisted the Spirit's tug on my heart.

For two years after I got out of the hospital, it seemed that every time I turned around, God had one of His "special agents" cross my path. They all told me, "Jesus loves you." When I hitchhiked, a Christian picked me up and told me about Jesus.

One morning, I was hung over and sick as could be. I turned on the TV, and a lady looked me square in the eye and said, "Jesus loves you." Then she started singing "Amazing Grace." As I sat there listening, tears began to flow. I couldn't understand what was happening to me. I thought, who is this Jesus that people are talking about? But from there I went from bad to worse. I drank and did drugs even more. Now I wasn't just running from the "emptiness within", I was RUNNING FROM GOD! I couldn't get Jesus out of my mind. No matter how much I tried, there He was.

Sick and Tired

Finally, one night as I sat in a bar, I pushed away form the table and looked at what my life had become. Surrounded by the same, old people. Doing the same, old thing. Going to the same, old place - nowhere.

My life was literally in pieces. I was desperately lonely. Alcohol and drugs had destroyed my relationship with nearly all those who were dear to me. I just couldn't stand it any longer.

I was sick and tired of being sick and tired. Something had to change - soon. About three o'clock in the morning, I left the bar and started walking-it was cold and dark. I came to a secluded place, stopped, leaned my head back, and yelled, "Jesus, if you're real, then prove yourself to me or just leave me alone!"

Jesus Proves Himself … To Me!

Praise God! When we cry out in the darkest places of our lives, HE HEARS US! He cares about sinners at the "end of their rope". Jesus began to "prove" Himself to me. Within a week, I met some people I used to party with who invited me to a little Native church they now attended. To my own amazement, I went.

Later, I learned that it wasn't a regular service but a Sunday School teachers' meeting. Pastor George Geesey told me afterwards that God had dealt with him all week about preaching a salvation message at the meeting. He argued with the Lord - all the Sunday School teachers were saved. But God assured him that He knew what He was doing.

I went to church that night, not knowing that I was the only "sinner" in the house. I can't really remember the sermon, but I certainly remember the results of that sermon. God met me at the old-fashioned altar. I knelt, and with tears flowing, I said, "Jesus, if you can change me and save me, I will serve you the rest of my life".

The Rest of the Story

That happened sixteen years ago. Jesus kept his side of the "deal," and so have I. I not only met Jesus that wonderful night, but He also introduced me to my beautiful wife, Barbara.

After I gave my life to Jesus, my mom ended up in the hospital because of her drinking; she nearly died. But, through prayer, she had a miraculous recovery, and I had the wonderful privilege of leading my mom into a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. She lived the last 15 years of her life saved and alcohol-free.

Not long after I got saved, I went to Bible school to train for the ministry. After graduation, Barbara and I pastored for about 10 years throughout Alaska. In our last church, Anchorage Native Assembly, the Lord put it on our hearts to raise up evangelistic teams and take them into the bush. It was during one of these trips that the Lord revealed to us that He was going to release us from pastoring and thrust us into full-time evangelistic work. Since then, we've been evangelizing Native people all over Alaska. Mike Curtis
Inupiaq, Athabascan
Wasilla, Alaska

Are you sick and Tired of being sick and tired?

You can have a changed life like Mike. Right where you are, tell Jesus you are a sinner. Ask Him to forgive you and change your life. For prayer, email, call or see someone at the address below. God Bless You!

Feel free to contact Mike by email mbcurtis@mtaonline.net

1000 W. Turk
Wasilla, Alaska 99687

Native Christian Resource Center
P.O. Box 7220
Phoenix, AZ 85011

For more information please contact WEWIN or call 907-563-7503

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