You may recall Jimmy Badillo's powerful story as it's one of our favorites here at the inner city ministry of Cru®! It's also recently taken another turn worth telling about…
Nearly a decade ago, you might've seen Jimmy on the streets of New York and been intimidated. If you knew him, you might not have pegged him for someone God would work through powerfully. Coming from a hard life had turned him into a hard man. Growing up in a broken family left him feeling unloved. His father even made it known that Jimmy was unwanted. When he was just ten years old, Jimmy's parents separated, and he and his sister went to live with their father.
Jimmy spent much of his time alone, even wandering the streets by himself as a young boy. It didn't take long for Jimmy to drop out of school. He lived so recklessly, his dad insisted Jimmy could either straighten up or join the army. The military seemed like an escape to Jimmy, so he went. When he came back, he turned to drugs to numb his pain and emptiness. He married and had three children. Eventually, the drug using turned into dealing. Everything spiraled further out of control until it all caught up with him.
In 2001, Jimmy's lifestyle landed him in prison facing 15-30 years for drug trafficking. Chapel services were one of the only ways inmates were allowed out of their cells, so naturally Jimmy went, but he wasn't in it for God. "You're not supposed to curse God, but I cursed him. I cursed him every time," Jimmy says. One day, "The Passion of the Christ" was shown at the chapel service. Jimmy says that's when he "broke." Jimmy prayed to God saying if he got out, he would serve Him — words he now realizes he didn't fully understand. The laws that required such a heavy sentence on Jimmy were changed in 2005, and because of good behavior he was released after serving just over three years!
Only a few days after Jimmy was released from prison, he reluctantly went to his sister's church, Damascus Christian Church, a partner ministry of Cru. During the service, Jimmy felt a tugging on his heart but he didn't keep going — only occasionally if they served food.
He had custody of his son, James, and they were living in a shelter. Jimmy received food and cash assistance, most of which he gave to his wife to support their children. Jimmy cooked what he could between the use of a microwave and crockpot. The drug rehab program he attended sent him home with a meal, and gave him a metro card. If Jimmy couldn't get an extra meal there, he'd simply go hungry himself so James could eat. He even gave James the metro card, and walked miles to rehab.
When Thanksgiving rolled around, Jimmy was angry and depressed. Things weren't going well. He didn't understand why God brought him out of prison but hadn't changed his struggles. He was invited to church again, but this time for more than a meal. This time they gave Jimmy a Box of Love®. Jimmy took it home, and when he opened it he was amazed. As he watched his son eating a hearty, full meal for the first time in a long time, Jimmy couldn't believe that someone cared enough about him to give him a gift like this. He realized it was God — God really cared about him! "Nothing was ever given to me before," Jimmy said. That's when everything changed and his relationship with Jesus began.
Jimmy's kids saw a change in him, after all it was hard to miss! He got his GED. He went on to become certified as a Substance Abuse Counselor. His wife had passed away, and eventually he met and married Martha, a woman who loves the Lord like he does. Jimmy became a huge believer in the work of Cru Inner City. Now when he's out on the streets, he's showing God's love to people and giving away Boxes of Love! He says his history allows him to go anywhere and share a real life story of God's transformation. Once the one who got everyone in trouble, Jimmy is now a light. "I have to make it my business to go out there, I don't want anybody to be hungry," says Jimmy.
Jimmy loves the partnership with Cru so much, he's now pursuing joining the New York City staff! He knows that God can use his experience not only to reach the lost in the inner city, but to shape the inner city ministry of Cru! We are grateful to see that Jimmy's life was transformed through God's love. And it all began with a simple box of food at thanksgiving. Best of all, Jimmy is making a difference everywhere he goes, sharing the same good news that transformed his life!
Pray with us that God continues working through us to raise up multiplying leaders like Jimmy! And pray for Jimmy as he begins raising his support to join our staff!
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Alicia Losier serves as the Communications Specialist for Cru's inner-city ministry.
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