Pedro Ramirez (Petey) was born in Lubbock, Texas but was raised in SA since he was two years old.  He lived on the south side and graduated from Harlandale High School.  He says, “Back then it was safe enough to sleep out on the porch. No crime! Not the same today.”  About 20 years ago Petey accepted Jesus into his heart. His faith has kept him with a positive attitude.  “I am blessed…I see people with negative attitudes, and they look down on you.  I don’t let people strip away my happiness and peace, which comes from my belief in God.”  Petey was working at Kelly/Lackland AFB in the dining room.  It was a good job.  But four years ago, he got hit by a minivan.  He got banged up and had to get eight stitches in his head.  After the accident his lower back started hurting. He thinks he may have fractured it at that time.  He went back to work but about a year later, he fell and broke his leg.  In a surgical procedure, they put a piece of metal in his leg. Then later that year he had a mini-stroke and brain hemorrhage.  He was given medication but was in the hospital a month and a half.  He went to live with his brother because he needed help with rehabilitation. ​ ​All these things could have moved Petey away from God but instead, they helped his faith to be stronger.  He says, “It made me reach out more to God.  But like Job, I asked Why are you doing this to me?  This was a wakeup call.”  ​ Finally, he went to live with another relative (an aunt) because he couldn’t keep a job.  He had health insurance but a lot of out-of-pocket expenses.  After a few months she gently asked him to find another place.  So about a year ago, he became homeless for the first time EVER.  “It was a different world.  All of a sudden, I was thrown into the jungle from being in a civilized world”.  He stayed for a brief time at Victory Outreach. He started going to a church on the south side and became a member at Church of Christ and got baptized there. ​ Then someone from Corazon told him about SARM and Petey started coming in January of this year (2026). He says, “I like it here because it is a safe place to stay and the people don’t bother me.  We get good food. It beats living under the bridge or on a park bench.  It is a really nice place.”   About a month ago, he was asked by staff to help with the clothing room. He can only sit so long because he has back pain, but he said Yes because he wants to be helpful and give back.  "Everything is free and some guys don't appreciate that, but I do."  Petey never let his circumstances affect his faith. He says, “I believe God tests people in their faith.  The book of Job inspires me.  Job lost everything but he never lost faith.  There is spiritual warfare going on.  Satan would do anything to destroy us.” ​ Petey concludes, “I am grateful for the Rescue Mission.  I recommend it for anyone to stay as long as they obey the rules…….  what to expect and not expect.  Every shelter will have rules and you have to respect them." ​​​