A testimony from one of "Our Girls" on the inside: Mari

My name is Mari and I am a believer who struggles with anger. My life before recovery was horrible; I had no fear of doing bad things. Alcohol and drugs were a constant struggle for me. Needless to say I didn’t know God nor was I looking for him. The lowest point in my life was when I started selling drugs; this is how I ended up in prison.

One day I was invited to the YUGO Bible study. I went because I wanted to know what it was all about. The women that attended were different and they spoke very highly of the program.

Now I have a growing relationship with Christ. The Celebrate Recovery Program has helped to empty myself of the resentment that I was keeping bottled up inside of me.   

James 5:16 says Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that 

you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

Gone is the anger and rage and in its place is compassion for my fellow inmates. I have an 

interest in what is happening in the lives of those around me; this is all part of the work that God has done in my life. I depend on Jesus to help me control these feelings so that I don’t go back to being an angry person again.  Walking with God has totally changed my life. I feel safe and my trust is in Him alone. With this confidence I can encourage and invite others to get involved in the CR program.

Thank you for letting me share.

Mari

*names have been changed to protect their identity*

A testimony from one of "Our Girls" on the inside: Jane

My name is Jane and I am a believer in recovery from drug addiction, guilt and promiscuity. Before starting the recovery process my life was empty; it revolved around drugs and men. I remember hiding all my feelings behind my makeup. I was constantly searching of something to fill me, but I never found it. Drugs and prostitution took over my life. In my life I had no room and no time for God. The only things that mattered were my addictions; I was rude, selfish and irresponsible.

I was invited to attend the CR program and soon after my rebellion and immaturity was made clear to me. I was 18 years old and had a lot to learn.

Jesus Christ now lives in my heart and I have a growing relationship with him. I am learning every day to rely on him in every moment.  Thanks to the CR program I am working on my character defects and I know that I am improving. I know that I cannot do this on my own but only by God’s power am I able to make the changes I need to make.

Principle 5 is very special to me, it says: “Voluntarily submit to every change God wants to make in my life and humbly ask him to remove my character defects.”  When I voluntarily submit to Him and recognize that I can do nothing without Him, only then am I able to change. My life is different now. I love my fellow inmates, I have learned to listen without judging and I can give a word of encouragement to those who are feeling discouraged.

The drug addiction and promiscuity are behind me but there are days when I still struggle with my thoughts.  I struggle because I am still growing.  But with God’s help I claim Romans 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

The CR program has been a great blessing to my life. God has filled my life with peace, He is gradually restoring broken relationships and I am seeing that God’s love is not just for me but it’s for my family too. I love that I get to share the good news with others. I love that I get to encourage others and invite them to the CR Program.

Thank you for letting me share and God bless you.
 

*all names have been changed to protect their identities.*