Flaco Guapo Media
Story/ photos courtesy of and by permission from Conexión San Ángelo
SAN ANGELO – Originally born in Chicago, Ronnie Murray had been in prison, was shot three times, over-dosed several times, by all rights, he should have died. God in his merciful grace had a different plan for Ronnie, but he had to come to a “turning point” in his life where he reached what is referred to as “the gift of desperation.” New Bridge states that “Desperation is considered a gift because it makes the addicted person more motivated to get sober, more receptive to change, and willing to take suggestions. It also serves as a grim reminder of where drugs and alcohol have done to their lives and hopefully inspires a desire to avoid returning to their addiction.”
“Desperation is a gift because I was at a point where another day didn’t make a difference to me.” I looked at myself as a hole in the wall.” “I thank God for putting people in my life who provided the help I desperately needed.”
Murray, who was in the Concho Valley Tuning Point’s Program, was at Saturday’s opening of its expansion project. Ronnie, now sober for two years, was there to celebrate with CVTP as well as its guest speaker to give his testimony as a conquer over drugs, alcohol and crack. Murray is currently an assistant intake coordinator for the Alcohol & Drug Abuse for the Concho Valley. “My focus now is on helping other people the way I was helped.”
Maria Mejia, CVTP Business Administrator, informed Conexión what the building would be used for.
“We didn’t fit in the front of our building anymore, so we expanded back here,” said Mejia. The building will be used for bible studies, for faith-based Alcoholics Anonymous groups, and Winner’s Circle for parolees.” Said Mejia. The building expansion projected was started last May 2017 and completion was done just four months ago.
CVTP also handed out certificates of appreciation to its staff, board members, volunteers and Cooking for Christ comprised of:
Maria Mejia, Israel Peña, Bob Scarborough, Dale Mathes, Ramior Llañas, Linda Prater, Travis Gray, Hyman Sauer, Bob Steward, Brandon Broadbent, Kenny Smith, Bob Knox, Ed Huston, Charlie Miller, Ruben Rodriguez, Kim Conner, Mark Bruton, Roman Garza, Lanny layman, Traves Mathes (CVTP executive director), Greg & Lizzie Simms, James & Cindy Williams.
Cooking for Christ representative, Jonathan Murray, was one of six members from his group to receive a certificate of appreciation from Concho Valley Turning Point.