Mike:

I was born Feb. 24, 1949. My father was a career man in the Navy, being so, we moved around a lot. I was born in San Diego, but mainly raised in Hawaii. My father was gone most of the time and there were 6 kids in the family. Being the oldest boy, I more or less had to raise my self. I started using drugs in my teens, as did a lot of kids in the sixties and started hanging out with bikers. I lived that life style for the next 40 years. I was a member of two different clubs, one in California and one in Florida, where I moved in 1977.

I was a professional criminal most of my life. Being a drug dealer and smuggler in the sixties and seventies, and a bank robber and jewel thief in the eighties. I quit doing drugs, but drank in excess and it got me in plenty of trouble over the years. Consequently, I spent 25 years of my life in Federal prison.

I came to the House of Disciples in Nov. 2008 and haven’t looked back. I graduated the program and worn many hats during the formative months of our ministry.  Now I have settled into operating the Arts and Crafts program and ministering to the men who God has placed in our path. I have a beautiful wife, a family I love, and we have learned to live simply, so others can simply live.

Wanda:

I am originally from Kansas City, KS and grew up during the Jesus Movement of the late sixties, early seventies. I've been in church all my life. My grandfather was a pastor in the Church of God Holiness. In my senior year of High School, I was married, but divorced after five years because of infidelity. I have survived several abusive marriages with alcoholics, but I was never an addict myself. I'm the mother of six and grandmother of seven. I mostly raised my children alone, even during the times I was married.

I moved to Texas to start all over, again. I learned how to rely on God and trust completely in Him during this time. He always provided my needs and continues to do so.I've worked most of my life with children’s ministries and singing in choirs and praise teams. I play guitar, viola and violin, but not nearly as well as I’d like to. I'm an artist and like to paint and be creative in different ways. I have written  and illustrated children’s stories, but haven’t tried to publish them. They’re for my kids and grandkids.

I have worked in many different jobs, but I’m thoroughly enjoying working with my husband developing and making the crafts to be sold to benefit the House of Disciples.