Wes77 & Opia

The ever-deepening downward circle kept getting darker and darker. Hope was lost, and the consequences of the wrong choices and decisions made in life kept piling up, leaving behind a feeling of being way over one’s head. This pretty much describes the story of every single person before receiving the salvation of the Lord Jesus Christ and taking in the gracious gift of eternal life. In this brief, dual testimony of Wes77 and Opia, the reality of a living God and a true acceptance of His existence didn’t come to be until, as if, life hit rock bottom in both of their broken and young adult lives.

Both, the family and friends of these two, can attest to how much they’ve changed and have witnessed the power of God at work in their lives. These two come from different times and opposite cities in Los Angeles County. Their distinctive upbringing and economical backgrounds made it seem all the more as if they were “worlds apart.” They grew up not knowing of each other’s existence and lived each day as if there was no tomorrow. Immediate satisfaction reigned supreme in their past days, self-centeredness was their reason for living, and rebelliousness ran rampant to prove their worth. They found their identities in sinful living in a legion of sorts, all of which, was a by-product from heart wounds deep within their souls. They sought out acceptance in the things of this world and sat in temporal pleasure, yet, that transcendental and mysterious inner-void yearned for relief and fulfillment.

In the year of 2000, Wes77 was adopted into the Kingdom of God, and Opia embraced this free-gift as well in 2005. Each walk of their newly-surrendered lives was unique and each marched to a different beat, nevertheless, it was to the same Drummer. Both had commonly experienced major set-backs which rendered them weak to stand against the storms of life. In their similarly backslidden state, the convictions of truth from a faithful and patient God knocked upon the doors of their hearts every minute of their waking days. Without exception, every night consisted of having to swallow sorrow, pain, regret, guilt, and shame for not acknowledging how contrary they were to His will for their lives.

There came a day when there was no more excuses, they alone answered Jesus’ calling, and reached out for His helping hand. In His rescue, both had believed that He would make all things new. Rightly so, God had a plan all along; a plan of restoration for all that was lost, a newfound strength to overcome obstacles, and a life with purpose. It wasn’t until Wes77 had fully considered Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths;” that God flung the door of direction open in his life. Meanwhile, at the other side of that door was Opia, who had hung on to Jesus’ promise and resolved in her heart to follow through with what Matthew 6:33 states, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” Hereafter, both became real good friends and in God’s good timing, He had blessed them with a marriage-bound union.

Needless to say, this marriage is a continual picture of God’s redemption in their lives, in their losses, and in their artistic talent. No longer agents of destruction and vandalism, their long-lived graffiti skills is now used for good; to serve God’s purpose and to give Him the glory. This covenant-couple not only has the honor to share more than life together, they also have the blessing to paint together; and both are committed to sharing this blessing with others.

“,being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;” – Philippians 1:6 (NKJV)