Running the streets felt like freedom to Rafael, but he was hurtling toward destruction.
Rafael Cantu started making unhealthy decisions at a young age. "I was a rebel. I didn't care about anyone but myself."
For much of his youth, Rafael performed well in school and in sports. He felt loved and accepted by his mom, a single mother who worked hard to provide for her three sons in an urban area near Dallas.
"She was the only one that was always there, no matter what," says Rafael.
But Rafael also sought love and acceptance outside the home, and the influences he found weren't always good. He took his first sip of alcohol at age 13 and started running with gangs and fighting. He liked the feeling of acceptance and belonging, no matter the cost or consequences.
Before long, Rafael and his friends began breaking into cars and houses. He ended up in a juvenile detention center for stealing firearms from a home.
THE BROKEN PATH
Hoping to redirect Rafael's path, his mom moved the family from Texas to Arizona. But the change of scenery didn't change Rafael's behaviors. He still felt drawn to street life. In high school, he kept drinking and started selling drugs. He got expelled—twice. After being expelled as a freshman, he was given a second chance—only to get expelled again, and this time for good.
Rafael continued getting in trouble with the law as a teen. He experienced all kinds of violence. Once, someone stabbed him; another time, someone hit him in the head with a brick. He cycled in and out of jail. Constant recklessness. Constant drinking.
Running the streets felt like freedom to Rafael, but he was hurtling toward destruction.
Soon Rafael and his high school sweetheart were expecting a baby. He was 18 years old and sitting in county jail when he found out his daughter, Alexis, was born. Shortly after, he went to prison for three years for aggravated assault.
HOPE TAKES ROOT
Rafael remembers an area on the right-hand side of the prison yard where a wire fence barred people from fighting. Just like the streets, the yard was a violent place. Along the path to the cafeteria, he spotted a flyer for Angel Tree®, a program of Prison Fellowship®.
It caught his attention. He learned that Angel Tree volunteers purchase Christmas gifts and deliver them along with the Gospel and a personal message to children on behalf of their moms and dads in prison.
"I wasn't a believer [in Christ], but Angel Tree said they would give gifts to my child," says Rafael. That was enough for him to sign up for the Angel Tree Christmas program. He would continue participating in it every year of his incarceration. And every year, his relationship with his daughter grew closer.
While Rafael was away, Angel Tree volunteers Ray and Michelle Barker purchased gifts for Rafael's daughter. The Barkers also visited with the caregiver and the family, sharing gifts and showing Christ's love.
Rafael was about to learn that Angel Tree starts with a gift, and it leads to so much more.
THE WAY TO FLOURISH
When Rafael left prison, Ray befriended him. They started meeting for lunch together. "He became a life coach for me," says Rafael. Ray even taught Rafael, a self-proclaimed "city kid," how to mountain bike.
Rafael got the chance to go to college. Ray helped set up Rafael with a job, after Rafael had faced many hurdles finding gainful employment.
Ray also introduced Rafael to a men's Bible study to help him grow in his faith. The love of these people compelled him like nothing he'd ever experienced. In 2006, Rafael accepted Christ as Savior and was baptized at Grace Community Church in Tempe, Arizona. He is still involved with the same men's Bible study today.
"They continued to disciple me through that Bible study," says Rafael. "They continued to love me. And they have this environment where I could flourish spiritually."
Rafael has long since left his life of crime, though he has faced some hurdles on the road to a healthy lifestyle. Still, he's almost one year sober. And soon, he and his wife will celebrate four years of marriage.
Also, because of the power of Christ in his life, Rafael's children have the blessing of knowing a healed and whole dad.
Today Rafael serves as director of corporate partnerships at Prison Fellowship, helping to fund programs that lead prisoners and their families to restoration.
"I went from being dead to alive," says Rafael. "I had no remorse. … And then that changed. And I believe it's from wisdom being imparted into me from people of God. There's guidance and discipleship. I'm following people as they're following Christ."
GIVE AN ANGEL TREE CHRISTMAS
When you give an Angel Tree Christmas, you help heal families and bring joy. For just $25 you’ll help deliver a gift, the Gospel, and a note from their incarcerated parent. Your generosity today will give a prisoner's child Christmas to remember!
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