Oasis Story: John Villegas

291 days ago by Jenn Collins Post a Comment! » 2 people have responded

It has taken me quite some time to feel comfortable telling my story. If you would have asked me to tell it as little as 6 months ago, I wouldn’t have. I have decided to tell it because it is about the awesome grace of God and how remaining steadfast in spite of adversity led me out of a very difficult time in my life. I must tell you I am not perfect and that I have made many mistakes, but we serve a really big God and He even makes good out of the bad decisions we make.

Before I go into how I got here, I will tell you where I am today. I currently attend Saturday night service where I volunteer in the technical group mostly on the sound board. You may recognize me because I am always chasing behind three little girls. I also volunteer over at the Hollywood campus on Sunday morning doing the same thing and with my three little girls as well. I am also currently running a small group on Monday nights at Pembroke Pines with the purpose of organizing a group of men that recognize that we are called to be Godly men, great fathers and great husbands (still looking for more men to join). I have been attending Oasis since February 2007 and have really grown to love this Church. I am a single Dad of three little girls, 5 year old twin girls that are in kindergarten and a 3 year old girl.

Today I can really say that I am blessed, a year ago I may have appeared to be OK but the pain I was in did not have words to describe. I am also a Network Solutions Manager for an office equipment manufacturer and I am responsible for Latin America, South America and the Caribbean. I cover this whole area and have to travel quite often as well making it difficult with the kids. Somehow it all works out, somehow God always provides. I have to be honest, it is not easy raising three kids on my own, sometimes I don’t know how I do it, sometimes I don’t know what I am doing and sometimes I feel like I lost my identity. Those are the struggles but the reward is greater. My kids are beautiful, full of love and happiness, they act like nothing has happened to them. They get so happy when I tell them we have to get ready for Church. My kids are constantly telling me they love me and I never take those words for granted. I feel so blessed to be the one to hear that. Why me? Thank you, Lord.

I was born in Colombia and moved to the United Sates when I was 6. I was raised mostly in NY and NJ. I wasn’t a well-behaved kid. I got into a lot of trouble and was even expelled from Catholic school. It wasn’t till I was 15 that I straightened out, and even found God. I got serious quick, even becoming a Youth Minister by the age of 17. I remained very involved in Church and was part of a group or some type of ministry till I was about 28 when I decided to explore the world and moved to Alaska. I fell from Grace in Alaska by simply failing to seek fellowship. This began my mistakes and bad decisions. I moved back to NY 7 years later and still did not reconnect with my faith and fellowship. This is where I made the mistakes that led me to be a single father of three kids. I will spare you all the details. I was moved to Florida by a head hunter and tried to start out right once again.

I suffered great loss shortly after arriving here in Florida. I kept very quiet at Oasis during this time. Very few people know my struggles. I did everything possible so the kids would deal with this loss as little as possible. The teachings and my desire to volunteer at Oasis kept me busy; kept me learning and distracted. I went to counseling and basically began to rebuild myself. My faith got stronger and I learned not pity myself. I learned to recognize red flags and how to make proper decisions. I focused on wisdom and discernment. I worked hard on my self esteem. I realized the importance of my position as a Father not only because I was alone with these girls but because that was my God-given responsibility. I battled against the “woe is me” and instead decided to focus on integrity and what God had called me to be.

I decided that first and foremost I needed to be the greatest father these girls can have. I also decided to rebuild myself and prepare myself for whatever God may bring my way in the future. After all the pain and bitterness subsided, I needed to prepare myself for whomever God placed in my life. The person I needed God to help me become needed to be complete, not half completed like before. I am humbled by the thought that God has entrusted me with these children. I know they are His, and for some reason He feels I am the best thing for them. That single thought gives me strength and purpose. When I am sitting with my girls watching “Hannah Montana” and out of the blue one of the kids says, “I love you dad”, you have no idea how that makes me feel.

This story is sad and yet triumphant. I sure made a lot of mistakes along the way, but look what God blessed me with. I have a lot to learn, but I am willing. God never gave up on me so I know He has more plans for me. Thank you for reading my story and pray for my Karissa, Emily and Olivia.