From Addiction to Redemption: The Yahweh Rafa Recovery Center Story
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Gary and Tracy's testimony on JustGospel's reveals the raw reality of addiction and the transformative power of faith-based recovery through their ministry, Yahweh Rafa Recovery Center.
Two Journeys, One Destination
Gary's descent into addiction began at age 12 with alcohol, following his parents' example. By 21, he'd tried cocaine at a birthday party—a decision that would cost him 18 years. His addiction to crack cocaine, cocaine, and ecstasy stripped away everything: houses, cars, family relationships. At his lowest, he weighed just 73 kilograms, living on streets and selling drugs. After his family cut contact for four years, a desperate lunch invitation revealed his deteriorating condition. In 2013, he entered rehab—but left still planning to drink.
His true turning point came locked in Albert Street, Zetton Hall, with four drug dealers threatening his life over an 8,000 rand debt. On his knees, Gary cried out to God. On January 7, 2014, Jesus delivered him. He made a promise that day and hasn't looked back for nearly 12 years.
Tracy's 23-year addiction journey started differently—rooted in childhood dysfunction with an alcoholic father. The anger, unforgiveness, and bitterness drove her down a dark path of self-destruction. Sixteen years ago, having lost everything, she gave God one chance. He showed up. Though her circumstances remained messy, something lifted off her that day—the knowledge she wasn't alone anymore.
The Ministry is Born
Yahweh Rafa ("the God who heals") Recovery Center operates on one fundamental truth: addiction is a spiritual issue requiring Jesus as the cure. Gary spent three-and-a-half years in rehab with zero family contact—no visits, calls, groceries, or cards. What seemed harsh proved life-saving, forcing him to become a man rather than remaining a dependent boy. Tracy emphasizes that mindset renewal took her two-and-a-half years and only happens through God's Word.
The Hard Truth About Recovery
The center runs a minimum six-month in-house program, though Gary and Tracy strongly advocate for one to two years. Their success rate? Honestly, 35%—three to four out of ten people make it. But those completing one year or longer show dramatically higher success. Every person Gary knew from his 2013 rehab who left after six months or less is back in addiction, wasting 11 years. Two years in recovery beats wasting decades in addiction.
Red flags families should watch: behavior changes, isolation, aggression, lying, manipulation, and progressive theft starting small (cell phones) escalating to major items. Addicts expertly manipulate, targeting the weakest family member and playing parents against each other. Tracy's powerful warning: "Relapse is NOT part of recovery. When you tell someone that, and they overdose and die, you're the murderer."
Breaking the Cycle
Residents get three meals daily, counseling, social workers, and staff who've walked the recovery journey themselves. After three weeks, residents make their first phone call; after six weeks, first visits occur bi-weekly thereafter. No contact initially forces residents to confront their issues rather than manipulate family members.
The ministry survives through fees adjusted to family ability, donations, and faith. Twelve street residents currently receive free help. The work brings tremendous challenges—residents attempting violence, breaking property, self-harming to escape—but also profound rewards. Former resident Keith, found talking to a toilet roll holder while on crystal meth, now serves as General Manager after eight years. Jasmine, carried unconscious from Malboton Hospital after drinking pure alcohol, now pastors her own church and runs a rehab combating human trafficking.
A Message of Hope
Gary and Tracy's final word: Addiction's outcomes are jail, psych ward, or death. Don't delay. There's no shame in asking for help. God know
Two Journeys, One Destination
Gary's descent into addiction began at age 12 with alcohol, following his parents' example. By 21, he'd tried cocaine at a birthday party—a decision that would cost him 18 years. His addiction to crack cocaine, cocaine, and ecstasy stripped away everything: houses, cars, family relationships. At his lowest, he weighed just 73 kilograms, living on streets and selling drugs. After his family cut contact for four years, a desperate lunch invitation revealed his deteriorating condition. In 2013, he entered rehab—but left still planning to drink.
His true turning point came locked in Albert Street, Zetton Hall, with four drug dealers threatening his life over an 8,000 rand debt. On his knees, Gary cried out to God. On January 7, 2014, Jesus delivered him. He made a promise that day and hasn't looked back for nearly 12 years.
Tracy's 23-year addiction journey started differently—rooted in childhood dysfunction with an alcoholic father. The anger, unforgiveness, and bitterness drove her down a dark path of self-destruction. Sixteen years ago, having lost everything, she gave God one chance. He showed up. Though her circumstances remained messy, something lifted off her that day—the knowledge she wasn't alone anymore.
The Ministry is Born
Yahweh Rafa ("the God who heals") Recovery Center operates on one fundamental truth: addiction is a spiritual issue requiring Jesus as the cure. Gary spent three-and-a-half years in rehab with zero family contact—no visits, calls, groceries, or cards. What seemed harsh proved life-saving, forcing him to become a man rather than remaining a dependent boy. Tracy emphasizes that mindset renewal took her two-and-a-half years and only happens through God's Word.
The Hard Truth About Recovery
The center runs a minimum six-month in-house program, though Gary and Tracy strongly advocate for one to two years. Their success rate? Honestly, 35%—three to four out of ten people make it. But those completing one year or longer show dramatically higher success. Every person Gary knew from his 2013 rehab who left after six months or less is back in addiction, wasting 11 years. Two years in recovery beats wasting decades in addiction.
Red flags families should watch: behavior changes, isolation, aggression, lying, manipulation, and progressive theft starting small (cell phones) escalating to major items. Addicts expertly manipulate, targeting the weakest family member and playing parents against each other. Tracy's powerful warning: "Relapse is NOT part of recovery. When you tell someone that, and they overdose and die, you're the murderer."
Breaking the Cycle
Residents get three meals daily, counseling, social workers, and staff who've walked the recovery journey themselves. After three weeks, residents make their first phone call; after six weeks, first visits occur bi-weekly thereafter. No contact initially forces residents to confront their issues rather than manipulate family members.
The ministry survives through fees adjusted to family ability, donations, and faith. Twelve street residents currently receive free help. The work brings tremendous challenges—residents attempting violence, breaking property, self-harming to escape—but also profound rewards. Former resident Keith, found talking to a toilet roll holder while on crystal meth, now serves as General Manager after eight years. Jasmine, carried unconscious from Malboton Hospital after drinking pure alcohol, now pastors her own church and runs a rehab combating human trafficking.
A Message of Hope
Gary and Tracy's final word: Addiction's outcomes are jail, psych ward, or death. Don't delay. There's no shame in asking for help. God know
