Testimonials: Peggy 2006
Ephesians 4:17-18 says, "Live no longer as the ungodly do, for they are hopelessly confused. Their closed minds are full of darkness; they are far away from the life of God because they have shut their minds and hardened their hearts against him."
Three months ago this was me. I didn't care about anything or anyone but myself. Everything was about me. I used drugs, lied, cheated, and assisted others in corrupting themselves just as I had done to myself. That was the only life I knew or could remember through a cloud of smoke; using drugs, selling drugs, and doing what I had to do to get by and get high. I have two beautiful children that I took for granted. I thought I was doing just fine, locking myself in my bedroom 23 hours a day. I put my friends and drugs before God, myself, and my kids. I didn't realize it then, because I was too high to see that I was a slave to my addiction. I couldn't get high at church, so why would I go to church? Drugs were my god and it was destroying me and my family for years. They affected my work; I became irresponsible, and a failure at motherhood, because I was neglecting my kids. I became self-centered and committed many sins on a daily basis.
On May 9, 2006 all of my evil doings of drug use and corruption came to a sudden end when I lost everything. I was surrounded by police cars shortly after leaving my house, and was arrested during a search of my car and house. I did not even have a chance to say good-bye to my kids, who were not at home. Shortly before this, the State had taken them away from me and put them in a foster home. I was miserable, embarrassed, and depressed, with deep sorrow shame, and self-pity. I walked around my cell like I was crazy; crying and wishing there was some way out of the mess I had made with my life. I was mad at everyone; I didn't think I deserved it. After a few days I couldn't take it anymore and I dropped down on my knees and reached out to God, begging him to help me, begging Him to forgive me, for I had done such terrible things. I did not think God was going to forgive me or help me because I didn't go to church, I didn't pray and I didn't have faith.
That night Jesus answered my prayer. God sent two wonderful Christian women to the jail to spread His word. One of the women at the bible study recognized that I was the mother of the two children being fostered with her friends who were Christians, and she assured me that my kids were in great hands and were being loved greatly by them. I could not stop thinking about my kids and I could not stop crying. Half way through the bible study, Tammy stopped and asked me why I was crying. I told her that I wanted my kids. Tammy prayed with me and helped me see that God still loved me and she prayed for the Holy Spirit to come upon me. Immediately, I stopped crying. I felt relieved. When bible study was over, I walked back to my cell feeling light footed and happy for the first time in those 6 days since I had been locked up. God was there with me and I could feel Him. I was able to smile and laugh again. I was able to think positive and I had hope. Most of all I had a burning desire to become closer to God and to learn more about Him. For the first time in my life I trusted God, and that is a wonderful feeling.
I remained in jail for three more weeks, praying every day and night. I started seeing that my prayers were being answered in some way or form. Life got better. I got better. My whole way of thinking changed and so did I. I got PR bonded into rehab when God felt it was time for me to do so, and 30 days later God felt that I was well and strong enough to make it all on my own with his love and grace. When I was free to make my own decisions, I came to the mission to begin my new life with the support of other Christians, who are like God's buffers; polishing my wounds and helping me succeed at my second chance in life.
Note from Chaplain Ted; on 8-16-06 Peggy was sentenced to 2.5 years in the women's Correctional Center. Please pray for her.
Three months ago this was me. I didn't care about anything or anyone but myself. Everything was about me. I used drugs, lied, cheated, and assisted others in corrupting themselves just as I had done to myself. That was the only life I knew or could remember through a cloud of smoke; using drugs, selling drugs, and doing what I had to do to get by and get high. I have two beautiful children that I took for granted. I thought I was doing just fine, locking myself in my bedroom 23 hours a day. I put my friends and drugs before God, myself, and my kids. I didn't realize it then, because I was too high to see that I was a slave to my addiction. I couldn't get high at church, so why would I go to church? Drugs were my god and it was destroying me and my family for years. They affected my work; I became irresponsible, and a failure at motherhood, because I was neglecting my kids. I became self-centered and committed many sins on a daily basis. On May 9, 2006 all of my evil doings of drug use and corruption came to a sudden end when I lost everything. I was surrounded by police cars shortly after leaving my house, and was arrested during a search of my car and house. I did not even have a chance to say good-bye to my kids, who were not at home. Shortly before this, the State had taken them away from me and put them in a foster home. I was miserable, embarrassed, and depressed, with deep sorrow shame, and self-pity. I walked around my cell like I was crazy; crying and wishing there was some way out of the mess I had made with my life. I was mad at everyone; I didn't think I deserved it. After a few days I couldn't take it anymore and I dropped down on my knees and reached out to God, begging him to help me, begging Him to forgive me, for I had done such terrible things. I did not think God was going to forgive me or help me because I didn't go to church, I didn't pray and I didn't have faith.
That night Jesus answered my prayer. God sent two wonderful Christian women to the jail to spread His word. One of the women at the bible study recognized that I was the mother of the two children being fostered with her friends who were Christians, and she assured me that my kids were in great hands and were being loved greatly by them. I could not stop thinking about my kids and I could not stop crying. Half way through the bible study, Tammy stopped and asked me why I was crying. I told her that I wanted my kids. Tammy prayed with me and helped me see that God still loved me and she prayed for the Holy Spirit to come upon me. Immediately, I stopped crying. I felt relieved. When bible study was over, I walked back to my cell feeling light footed and happy for the first time in those 6 days since I had been locked up. God was there with me and I could feel Him. I was able to smile and laugh again. I was able to think positive and I had hope. Most of all I had a burning desire to become closer to God and to learn more about Him. For the first time in my life I trusted God, and that is a wonderful feeling.
I remained in jail for three more weeks, praying every day and night. I started seeing that my prayers were being answered in some way or form. Life got better. I got better. My whole way of thinking changed and so did I. I got PR bonded into rehab when God felt it was time for me to do so, and 30 days later God felt that I was well and strong enough to make it all on my own with his love and grace. When I was free to make my own decisions, I came to the mission to begin my new life with the support of other Christians, who are like God's buffers; polishing my wounds and helping me succeed at my second chance in life.
Note from Chaplain Ted; on 8-16-06 Peggy was sentenced to 2.5 years in the women's Correctional Center. Please pray for her.
Note from Chaplain Ted; on 7-11-07 I spoke with Peggy's sister. She is doing fine and planning on joining the New Life Program upon her release from prison.
Note from Chaplain Ted; Peggy has been released and is living in the area. I see her at church and she is growing in her faith.