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Life Stories
Adam's Story
At the lowest point in my life, I was drowning in a pool of loneliness, depression, anger and self hatred. My morning routine consisted of immediately getting high and then cursing God for the way my life was turning out. I lived for years in this denial and failure. Hospital visits became a normal routine due to seizures and overdoses. I thought that this is how my life was intended to be and I would continue living this way until I eventually died.
I am only twenty–three years old and I have tried many different ways of getting clean and sober. Being raised in a Christian home, I should have known to turn to God but I was too embarrassed and ashamed. When I was in a detoxification program, for the fourth time, in southern Delaware, I asked God to come back into my life and help me get into a long–term Christian recovery program. God stayed faithful to me and connected me to a couple that brought me to CityTeam three days after I met them.
CityTeam was very scary to me at first, as I was way out of my comfort zone. I can recall being extremely angry with myself one day while completing my chore of cleaning the toilets. I just couldn’t believe that my life had come to this. On that day, my emotions broke out into full anger and resentment. Through the storm, I continued to trust that God had me here for a reason.
CityTeam has taught me some valuable life lessons. I have learned the true meaning of “it is better to give then to receive.” I have learned to humble myself and love who I am through God’s eyes. Today, I have started taking courses at the local community college and feel like I am working towards my future goals. In 1 Corinthians 13:11 it reads, “When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.” This scripture encourages me to move forward in becoming the man God has created me to be. My life is being transformed and I am breaking free from the bondage of addiction. I thank God and all the donors who make this program possible for me.
Samuel's Story
I grew up with dreams of becoming somebody someday. I was introduced to alcohol at an early age through my father’s alcoholism. At age thirteen, my father split and my mother was left trying to provide for all eight kids. I turned to the streets in search
of someone that could give me some understanding of my meaningless life. All I wanted to do was fill the emptiness I felt inside and it didn’t matter to me what I filled it with. At fourteen, I smoked marijuana and for a few minutes escaped every bit of hurt I had inside of me. What I didn’t realize was the impact this would have on my future. It never took the pain away completely; it was just a temporary escape.
The social marijuana use was followed by occasional cocaine use, which then led to full blown addiction. After being caught up in the grip of addiction, I hit rock bottom and became homeless.
One night in desperation, I prayed to God, “Lord, if you pull me out of this sinful lifestyle, I will follow you all of my days.” The Lord answered my prayer, and in December, I was introduced to the drug recovery program at CityTeam Ministries in Chester, PA. During my first couple of days, I was full of doubt and fearful for my future. Through the classes at CityTeam, my questions were being answered, sometimes even before I asked them.
Today, I am fully involved in CityTeam’s Community Outreach program, so I can help other people in need. I am also receiving my GED because of CityTeam’s Compass Academy Learning Center. I have a full time job at Schott Diamond View, assembling bullet–proof glass. After a ten year separation, God has restored my relationship with my thirteen year old daughter. I thank God for changing my life through CityTeam.
Javon's Story
After departing from prison, God had blessed me by enabling me to attend Philadelphia Biblical University, allowed me to get a job in ministry, and get married. Through all of these good things, there were a lot of factors that I didn’t understand. I remember an old nursery school rhyme, “Humpty Dumpty.” My life prior to CityTeam was in direct correlation with Humpty after the fall, I was BROKEN!!!!
It was a snowy February morning when my wife brought me to CityTeam. My life was broken to the point that I was contemplating suicide. Upon entering, I knew God had drawn me there. I was full of anger, had very low self–esteem, and was not loving myself or anyone else. I can remember being angry with God for allowing addiction to overtake my life again. It is by God’s grace that I have broken my addiction! God has restored me thanks to the ministry here at CityTeam.
Today I am enrolled at Allstate Careers School for Emergency Medical Technician and I am preparing to graduate from CityTeam’s recovery program. I am so grateful to the donors who support CityTeam! Without CityTeam’s recovery program I would be a statistic!
*Names have been changed to protect our client's privacy.
