I’m Hugh Woods, 35, from Marshall, Michigan. I currently work in construction. I grew up in a broken home where there were Christian influences, but it was not a godly environment. I didn’t believe in God as a child because of all the pain in my life. At a young age, 14, there were events that caused me to turn to a power greater than myself, God, because I wanted to kill myself. That was the first time I cried out to God. I began to read my Bible and pray then.
At age 19 I was diagnosed with a brain tumor the size of my fist. When you’re that young and facing something that scary you never know how it’s gonna come out. At that point you learn to put things in God’s hands and trust him. After brain surgery, they told me that whatever memory and function I didn’t gain back in two years I would never get back. In one year, by God’s grace, they wrote me off as fully recovered.
Eventually, I turned to drugs and alcohol to deal with all the pain of my life. I spent 7 years partying and following a downward spiral. I was still reading and praying, but I was consumed with my own problems. When you get enveloped in your own problems it’s hard to see clearly. It felt like God was so far away. At 27, I entered rehab and quit drugs. However, I continued to drink and smoke pot for another year and a half. I returned to rehab again and quit drinking at that point. I turned it all over to God. Once you quit numbing the pain, then you have to deal with the pain. For the last 7 years, the Lord has been dealing with my pain and growing me in Him. He’s teaching me to depend on him more. Growth is often painful. Stepping out of your walls is scary. It’s been an interesting time of my life.
I went on my first mission trip this summer to Peru and it was one of the most awesome experiences of my life. I told people I feel like I left a piece of my heart in Peru. Afterward, I was visiting with a pastor from the trip, and he told me about WorldRace. I truly feel God is calling me to the mission field. I know I have to follow God because that’s where he’s going to bless me and use me. I don’t want to stay stagnant. I want to be content, but never complacent. So I want to move forward with the Lord and exercise my faith and keep it strong.
