Testimonies

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Restore Me Testimonies

PRAISE GOD!

Pass it On

I was living and working at Europe Inn when it closed down and I became homeless. I talked to God and asked for help. I knew some people who used to live at Restoration, so I came to see if I should live here. Deep down I knew this was where I needed to be. I believe I was chosen to come here.

Since being at Restoration, I love myself more. Before, when I was on drugs, I didn't care about myself. I didn't like myself at all. Now I have grown a lot - learning about Jesus and getting into church. The classes taught me what I was doing with my life before and how I can be different. I have also gotten closer to my son since being here. I feel different than I've ever felt in my life. I just feel that I have a glow. My family see a difference in me too.

I know that it is going to take a lot of work to change from my old life. I still struggle and have pain, but now I want a decent life for myself. I won't go back to my old life. This place has changed me and I know it will be with me forever. This is a miracle to me.

Judy Dalton

Moving on to the Next Step

Sandy Rowan learned how to cope with living in a small space by focusing on what she had instead of what she didn't have. She related, "Being in one room was crowded, but I was with my kids. We were together, so it was livable." Sandy knew it could have been worse, because before moving into Restoration Inn, "I was homeless and at the point where I was going to lose my kids."

Even though the cramped room was livable, there were bigger hopes for Sandy and her family. After completing the first phase of Restoration's Self-Sufficiency Program, Sandy has begun phase two...the Next Step. She has just moved to a two bedroom duplex where she will pay rent and utilities, proving that she can do what it takes to provide for her children.

Since moving in a few weeks ago, Sandy is enjoying the extra space. She states, "I love having my own kitchen and I am thankful for my own washer and dryer. Now I don't have to wait in line. I can even walk without stubbing my toe!"

While having a decent place to live is a significant step for Sandy, it is only part of her life changes. Perhaps more importantly, she has opened herself up to the love of her brother and sisters. She explained, "I've learned how to let people help me and not try and do it on my own. There really are people who care - you just have to find them."

Sandy Rowan

Love Changes Lives

As I write this, I can't help but to think back to a time in my life when I didn't have any hope. A time when my life seemed to be destined for failure, plagued with pain and riddled with drug abuse. I used to sit and ponder about life and what my purpose was in it. I had children but didn't feel like a father; had good intentions but no game plan. To sum it up, my life was in a state of chaos and I needed help. I didn't even know what kind, I just knew that I needed help. Through a series of bad decisions, I found myself without a home, without direction, and at a point of giving up. That's when I was introduced to Restoration Urban Ministries. Not only did I obtain shelter, but I found that there was hope for my situation. There was a remedy for my drug addiction and hopelessness. That remedy was JESUS! I participated in the program and applied what I learned to my life and have since found a peace within myself that I never thought was possible. I can now look into my future and see something worth living for and my children will know their father as a drug/alcohol-free man. I have learned to love others as well as love myself. I now have a positive outlook on life and owe it all to Jesus and the love that was shown to me from the folks at Restoration Urban Ministries.

Robert Woods

A New Mission For God

I've been a welder for nearly twenty years and found that it was the best way for me to support my family. I was laid off, lost my home, and my truck, and my job. I had no place to go but a friend led me to Restoration Urban Ministries. Through the classes here I learned many things, one of which was that I had the victim mentality. You see, I am a preacher's kid and I have heard about the Gospel in the many different forms in which it is presented. I have found that while some parts of it were truth, other parts were traditions.

To change a community...you don't give people new homes and new cars because change has to come from the inside. Everyone has a gift from God and most people haven't had a chance to use it to the fullest. For what reasons I don't know. Some don't have confidence. Maybe because society has beaten them down. Restoration educates and gives new hope because it is scriptural-based. My goal is to work in the Gospel using my gifts to support my family. I am a musician, an artist, a welder, a mechanic, a carpenter, and I love to study the Word of God!!! When I get carried away, I often get called a preacher or teacher...Hey! I can't help it...AMEN!

John Radespiel

Blessed Out of A Mess

As I look back over my life, I can truly say that I've been blessed!! No, I would not like to repeat it over again, yet I'm thankful that GOD brought me through it at a time when I really didn't even know HIM. With a life filled with most of the vile elements that most of us go through, I, like most, chose to blame others even when I knew better. By not accepting responsibility for my own actions, I experienced loneliness, heartache, and a life filled with drugs, sex and violence. I even spent time in the penal system. After going through this lifestyle for some 20-odd years, something inside me told me that enough was enough! As I sat once again in a jail cell - alone - I cried out to God and He heard my cry. No, I didn't find Jesus actually, He'd been with me all the time. As I began to trust, believe and increase my faith in Him, our relationship blossomed into a Love filled alliance that's second to none. Because of His Love I found myself doing positive things for people that never would have happened before..without a cost. After years of derogatory statements directed toward me, my esteem had been shattered. Yet, as I started to put my trust in God and let Him work through me, I developed not only a new outlook towards myself, but towards the world as a whole.

People look for miracles today as they did in the Old Testament...well I want you all to know that I am a present day miracle and that God is the same yesterday, today and forever. So believe in your hearts that the same way that He's arranged my life, so will He do the same for you. Today I pray for all to come into the knowledge of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. However, you don't have to take my word for it...Psalm 34:8 states, "Oh taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him!" So I encourage you all, allow God to come into your heart. Cast all your cares on Him and He will bring rest into your souls. Try Him today!

Roscoe Brown, Jr.