Akberet
Samaritan Women Testimony
Hello.
My name is Akberet. I was born and raised in
East Africa,
Ethiopia. I was raised by my parents in a Christian home and have an older
sister and a younger brother. I was raised with very strict rules. My
family raised us knowing the principles of God. At the age of 15, I
received Christ into my heart.
At
the age of 17, I won a lottery and decided to come to America to receive my
education and get a good job. I came to California. My plan was to work
and help my family first and then go to school. Because one job wasn’t
enough, I got a second…then a third. That was still never enough. Not only
was I supporting myself, but my family seemed to always need more and more
money.
I
soon met some people who were involved in illegal activities. I decided to
join them so that I could make more money. I wanted to hurry and help my
family financially, get it over with and then start attending school like I
had planned in the first place.
However, in the year 2002, I got arrested in Sacramento and went to jail.
After approximately one month of being in jail, that’s when I made Jesus
Lord of my life. While in
Sacramento,
they found I had a prior in
Fresno
County
which required my presence. After doing three months in Sacramento, I was
transported to Fresno County. I was sentenced and spent eight months in
Fresno County Jail. It was at this time that I was introduced to Nancy
Dixon. Nancy would visit me every Friday and would encourage me. I told
Nancy I didn’t have anywhere to go. Nancy told me about Samaritan Women TLC
Home. I was accepted to be a resident at the home. In fact, Nancy picked
me up from the jail and took me straight to Samaritan Women and then to the
Home. That was in August of 2003.
I
was at the TLC Home for eight months. During that time, I learned how to
walk with God in society. I learned life skills, submission to authority
and how to cooperate with peers. I also took classes at the Center which
helped me in boundaries and safe people, Bible Basics, communication and
others. I also saw my case manager weekly, and she was able to help me
prepare for school.
In
January of 2004, I received my GED. On January 26th, I started
attending
Fresno
City College. My plans are to get my AS Degree as a Radiology Technician.
I will then transfer to
Pacific
College to get a degree in counseling.
In
April of 2004, I transitioned from the TLC Home and received the “Samaritan
Women Blessing”. I am very active in my church. I teach Sunday School in
the Youth Department and am involved in Prayer Ministry. I am also going
to
Faith
College to get my certificate in ministry.
I
continue to remain involved with Samaritan Women. I attend classes when I
can and stay in touch with Nancy, the case managers and my friends. Most
recently, I was hired as Relief House Manager for Samaritan Women TLC Home.
I
praise God and I thank Him for Jesus for it is through Jesus that I am able
to have this life and to serve Him. I have never had this kind of life
before, and I have found that life in service for and with God is
fulfilling. I am a witness that God will do for us more than what we can
imagine or we dare to ask.
Ephesians 3:20-21, “Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than
all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to
Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations,
for ever and ever! Amen.”
Samaritan
Women
