Repost: Johnny "Hugger"

This repost from back in 2013 is an amazing story of the way that God can transform a life.

Ocean Beach is a beautiful waterfront community in San Diego, CA. San Diego is known for its restaurants, antique shops and clubs.  Sadly, it also has a reputation for homelessness. 

Louie and Yvonne Juarez reached out to this community through street evangelism.

God has brought many people into their lives through this outreach.  John is one example of how the Spirit is moving there.

John Statser is known on the streets as “Hugger.” Hugger lived on the streets of Ocean Beach for 9 years. He lived in bathrooms, alley ways and  behind dumpsters. He was an alcoholic with bleeding ulcers on his legs. His bleeding was so bad that he was dying and everyone was telling him to get help. Hugger’s legs looked so bad and he smelled so ripe that it was hard to get close to him. Your heart went out to him but it was hard to touch him, yet he always wanted to hug you, hence the name Hugger. We thought Hugger was a Christian because he persistently quoted Bible verses and spoke of Jesus.

 One day Yvonne felt called by the Spirit to wash Hugger’s feet. He didn’t accept the offer because it was too painful physically as well as emotionally. Yvonne talked to him about Jesus standing at the door of his heart knocking. Hugger said, “The door is open.”  Yvonne answered, “You have to invite Him in.”  At that instance there was obvious spiritual warfare. Hugger was oppressed by demons. He became angry and violent. Yvonne prayed and placed her hand on him, letting him know that Jesus loved him. The name of Jesus calmed him at that moment. A few feet away, the Ocean Beach team was praying for Hugger and Yvonne. They prayed he would be delivered of the demons and be healed of his disease.

The next day, God did a miracle! Hugger was in his right mind! He was clean, and his legs were healed!!  Yet, he still had not invited Jesus into his heart. The following Tuesday Hugger was back to drinking, his legs were bleeding again and he was walking with a crutch. It was apparent that he had little time to live. It was also amazing how God had healed him for that one day.

 A week and a half after this encounter Hugger accepted the Lord. He quit drinking because he had invited Jesus in. Yvonne and Louie took Hugger into their home to live with them so that he could be discipled in a Christian home. John works at the church Louie pastors and is now helping as a sound tech on Sunday mornings. He has led two people to the Lord since inviting Jesus into his heart.

People see the parallel of Hugger’s life to man in the Bible who was demon possessed and healed by Jesus.  People see his changed life when they come to the Juarez’s home to eat side-by-side with Hugger and enjoy the meal together. Hugger’s story is a testimony to the power of Jesus’ transforming love and power to those who call on Him.