CUMBERLAND – He was neglected, abused and then lost in a violent gang world and drug abuse. But Francisco Cruz believes God’s hand pulled him out of the soul-destroying quick sand.
Born in Oaxaca, Mexico, Cruz grew up in fear of both his mother and street gangs.
“My father died when I was 6 years old, leaving my mother a widow with three kids. She did her best to raise me and two siblings in a household which we encountered violence and poverty,” said Cruz, adding, “My mother under stress used to yell and hit us with a belt for no reason.
“After my father’s death I didn’t feel loved at home, so at the age of 11, I joined a group of kids from the ‘hood.'” He was introduced to intoxicative inhalants, and he began to sniff glue and paint thinner as a way of releasing stress.
“At the age of 13, I met members of a street gang named ‘Los de la Capilla.’ They seemed friendly and welcoming. They immediately became like a family,” said Cruz. “They offered me brotherly love, money, clothes and protection from rival groups.”
But he had to commit crimes to earn his keep. “I had to sell drugs, transport guns, smoke marijuana and hurt rival gang members,” said Cruz. “By the age of 17, I was already snorting cocaine, drinking beer and hard liquor. I hit rock bottom really quick.
“Eventually, my mother grew tired of my crazy life, threw me out of the house, and I became one of the ‘Niños,'” Cruz said. The “Boys” were the homeless teens who lived under the bridges.
“I didn’t bathe or change my clothes for weeks,” Cruz remembers.
“I almost died three times from a drug overdose, I was stabbed and pistol whipped by gang rivals,” said Cruz, as he showed the scars. “It was just a matter of time that I was going to end up in prison, injured for life or in a cemetery like some of my homies.”
On Oct. 31, 1994, age 20, Cruz entered Drogadictos Alcolicos Anonimos (D.A.A.) – Spanish for Drugs and Alcoholics Anonymous. He spent four years in the rehab and even became a mentor to other patients.
But although he was drug free, he felt empty. He felt lonely.
In 1999, he was invited to a charismatic retreat at St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Tilzapotla, Morelos.
“I entered the church feeling empty and came out transformed. I heard the word of God and I began to cry like never before,” he said. “I received inner healing as I heard and felt the presence of God.”
The church became his new home. He received the sacraments and embraced his new life in Christ.
In 2000, seeking the American dream, Cruz moved to Michigan. Eventually he made his way to Cumberland County, where he met with relatives.
The problem of gangs is not exclusive to Mexico. There is an alarming presence of street gangs in the United States. According to the FBI’s 2011 National Gang Intelligence Center (NGIC) “There are approximately 1.4 million active street, prison, and outlaw motorcycle gang members, totaling more than 33,000 gangs in the United States. This represents a 40 percent increase from an estimated 1 million gang members in 2009.”
“If you think that drugs and gangs can bring you happiness, you are wrong! You can end up in a hospital, jail, or dead,” Cruz says. “True happiness is found in Christ.”
Cruz is now a member of a parish in the Diocese of Camden. He has been clean from drugs and free of the gang life for over 19 years.
“I invite all gang members and drug users to seek the Lord,” said Cruz. “It’s never too late to change. God can transform even the hardest of hearts.”
To share your stories contact Latino News Correspondent at deaconasantos@gmail.com
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