I fell into a very deep depression where even normal everyday hygiene was an impossible and overwhelming task and most days I didn't even get out of bed.
Baptized at the age of 7 and raised in church my whole life, I thought that I was living a so-called normal Christian life. I got married, had 2 children, but still wasn't feeling fulfilled. After contracting viral meningitis and suffering with debilitating migraines for 10 years, a doctor decided to prescribe a narcotic for pain relief. I immediately got addicted, started taking the medicine even when not medically necessary, and eventually started writing my own prescriptions when the doctors wouldn't any longer. Drinking also became a normal activity when the medicine wasn't available. My health was rapidly deteriorating.
I thank God for this program. It was by far the most challenging endeavor I've ever undertaken, but also by far the absolute most rewarding. I am truly at a loss for words at the amazing way God has not only delivered me from a life of addiction and hopelessness, but shown me a way of life that is above and beyond ordinary. I surrender my life to Him everyday and ask for His guidance in everything I do. Praying at least once a day with my children is now customary in our newfound “better than ever” God-centered relationship. God continues to work miracles and pour blessings in my life. He has placed beautiful sincere mentors over me to guide me in how to live this awesome new lifestyle. I have an abundant joy in my soul that is indescribable. Jesus has filled a void in my heart. I thank New Life For Youth for showing me how having a relationship with God is, in fact, positively the only way to live a fulfilling life with real purpose.
I strayed from my Christian upbringing; looking for acceptance and happiness in the world of music. I wanted to be a rock star.
In late summer of 2006, I overdosed on heroin and cocaine, following my using too much intravenously. I wound up in the hospital, near dead and extremely hopeless. My father found New Life for Youth online, and I immediately agreed to come in. Through a meaningless, tough decade, a number of “God coincidences’ brought me to New Life, where my relationship with Jesus has been restored. I feel forgiven and happy now, at peace with my life.
Since being at New Life for Youth, I have started working as the induction coordinator-bringing new guys into the program; helping them get acquainted or reacquainted with Jesus Christ. God has also used me to be an example to my two brothers, who have also come into New Life, restoring our entire family. Words cannot express what coming into this program has meant to me and my family. God has led me to turning my life around one hundred and eighty degrees.
Last year I heard about New Life for Youth through my probation officer.
When I first came here, I must admit, I had a rough time the first month or so because I had not completely turned my life over to God. Once I let God come into my life and I accepted Him to be my Lord and Savior, when my life began to transform.
Throughout the program I developed a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. I started praying daily and also reading my Bible, things that I had never done in my old life. Now I can say that I know for a fact the God is real and alive because He saved me when I was at my lowest point and turned my life completely around.
It Was the Only Way I Knew to Dull the Pain in My Life
I started using cocaine when I was about 13 years old. At 27 I had a very severe car accident that left me in a coma. The doctors said I might never walk again and could be left in a vegetative state. My mother prayed to God that if he was going to take my life, for Him to please make that decision so that she would not have to. I woke up shortly after that prayer.
Since coming to New Life for Youth and giving my life to God, I have been filled with a peace and hope I never knew existed. I am looking forward to a future of serving an amazing God. I know he has great things in store for me and my family.
Joy Restored
After my daughter relocated to Richmond Virginia, she began to build up her relationship with the Lord and then took a moment and looked at my life. She knew I needed help...but where and who could reach this broken soul? Her church directed her to New Life For Youth. I had never been in a program, but I knew I needed a change.
After losing my husband I became lonely and started to fill that void with drugs. I thank God for New Life For Youth. It was there that I began to deal with the pain that had overwhelmed me. I was able, not only to get off of drugs, but to smile and laugh again. The broken relationships of my family were also restored. New Life For Youth saved my life and kept me from death.
I am so grateful for the opportunity to build my relationship with Christ and I now realize He has a plan for my life. I will not forget what the Lord has done for me!
I Was Given a Second Chance at Life by the Grace of God
I had seriously messed up my life and was constantly making bad decisions. When I found myself doing things that I had said as a child that I would never do, (like snorting pills that I didn't even know what they were) I knew that there was a problem.
One night I over dosed on a synthetic opiate called dextromorphan hydrobromide. I had ingested over 1.44 Grams of the hallucinogen and my brain slowly began to shut off. I was unable to stand up, speak coherently, see straight, or even remember my own name. At the climax of my trip I sobered up just long enough to say a prayer. My words were:
"God... I don't know if I have broken something [in my head], but I know that ultimately you are in control. And I would like you to take control of my life".
The 10 days that followed that prayer are still just a blur, but I do remember waking up at New Life for Youth with the understanding that God had answered my prayer. Now, not only has my brain fully recovered from the over dose, but I thank God daily for this second chance at life.
In God’s Will There is A Way
Coming into the program, there was not much hope left in me, but I knew that if I kept praying and did not give up, God would help me. What I know most about myself is that God takes care of me at all times. I was spiritually dead and physically dead when I entered the program, but like I always say God always makes a way. Today God is blessing me with the opertunity to live at the New Life for Youth Re-entry program and hold a full time job. God has plans for my life.
Save A Life, Save A Soul, Be Blessed!!!