Samaritan Women

Community AfterCARE Resources

"Assisting Ex-Inmates to live Godly lives."

Testimonies:              Sandra

 

 

I AM FREE!  By God’s grace and mercy I AM FREE!  I am no longer bound in fear.  I am no longer a slave to sin.  I am no longer corrupt and confused.  I am no longer neglected and abused.  I am no longer worried about tomorrow.  I am no longer in bondage to drugs and alcohol.  I am no longer sitting locked in a cell.  I AM FREE!  My name is Sandra and I am proud to say that I am a child of God.  I am a daughter of THE KING!

 I came to know the Lord on August 15, 2002, on ‘A’ yard at VSPW.  Before that faithful day, I had lived a miserable existence.  My life consisted of drugs, violence, abuse, depression, oppression, anger, and fear.  I was always confused and unsure about everything.  I never felt like I belonged anywhere, not even in my own home.  I was my own worst enemy.  I just needed any excuse to get high.  That was my way of escape.

I was born into a family of domestic violence.  I never realized how much of an impact that had on my life until I, myself, became involved in abusive relationships.  I never thought it could happen to me.  I turned to drugs and alcohol to numb the pain, or to help me pretend that it wasn’t really happening.  It seems to me that the more denial I was in, the worse it became.  I was incapable of making the right choices for my life and the lives of my children.  They were being raised in the same kind of environment that I was.  After being arrested a few times and having my kids taken from me (because of the violence), I finally ended up in prison for transporting methamphetamine.  I was facing two years in prison and my children (3 boys) were placed in CPS custody (again) and this time they were going to be adopted.  My life was a complete and total disaster.  I lost everything -- my kids, my home…EVERYTHING!  

When I entered the prison walls, my heart broke.  I was afraid of what I had become and what my children had become because of me -- my lifestyle, my choices.  I wanted to die.  That is when I met Jeri.  I will never forget how peaceful and beautiful she looked.  I thought, “How can anyone be happy in a place like this?”  Later on I found out that she was a Christian.  It was then that things became so clear.  I needed Jesus, and I needed him badly!  The day that I surrendered my life to the Lord was the greatest day of my life!  HE has changed my life completely.  I am not the same woman that I used to be.  Everything that I lost when I was living in sin was restored to me.

I have been a resident in the TLC Home since January 2, 2003.  With the help of Samaritan Women and by the grace of God, I have a new life in Christ.  I have been clean for over one year, my children are being returned to my custody, I have a good job, and I have a car.  But most importantly…I HAVE GOD…Jehovah Jirah, my Provider.  His love is sufficient for all my needs.  I am just two weeks from graduating from the TLC and moving into my own apartment.  I give thanks to the LORD.  It is by His hand that all these great and wonderful things are happening in my life.  This is living!  The Lord can transform anyone if they just ask him to.  When will you ask Him?  Take a chance on HIM!  He will never let you down!

“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined

what God has prepared for those who love him.” I Corinthians 2:9