Sandra
Samaritan Women Testimony
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
Samaritan
Women
