Pam
After being sentenced the first time, I was locked up 15 months. After I was released, I was using again the next day. I was locked up again in three months and stayed locked up for 10 months. I was out maybe six months when I was locked up again and went to prison where I did 21 months. While I was in jail and prison there were people who ministered to me and I had some idea that I needed God. I even realized that every time I was locked up, God was saving my life, but I didn't have a relationship with Him. After I was released from prison, I read my Bible, but I didn't go to church. I even prayed for my family every night. I had no discipline. I was using again within six months. I really thought I was hopeless. As a junkie I tried to do good, but it was impossible for me to stay clean and I accepted that.

I say all this because I want you to see and understand the extent of my addiction. I was such an ugly person: I was a drug addict, a thief, a liar and a whore. I am being honest. One thing opens you up to another.

I decided to go to rehab because I really had no other choice. I was only going because I could work, save money, get another car and a place to live.

When I arrived at New Beginnings I felt something. I saw something in the ladies there that I wanted. I didn't know how I was going to get it, but I wanted it.

I learned so much at New Beginnings. I received tools there that I use daily. The power of God at New Beginnings is incredible. That's what I felt the day I got there. And even though there were all sorts of ugly things in my past, God sent His only Son, Jesus, to die and shed His blood for me.

I once was an addict, but no longer. I'm not hopeless, I found hope in Jesus. I have been delivered. Completely delivered. It's not something that I struggle with any longer.

Lisa
I did not begin my early years as an alcoholic or drug addict. I was an excellent student and found great satisfaction in being an over-achiever. I graduated Cum-laude with a degree in nursing from Brenau University and a specialty degree from Emory University. I was a registered nurse for 10 years, however no amount of success or education could fill the emptiness inside me.

My husband died when I was 24 years old. My life seemed to end and I had a nervous breakdown. Instead of crying out to God, I began drinking heavily. This progressed to stronger chemicals. I did not care if I lived or if I died. I was very alone and married another alcoholic. This proved to be yet another bad decision. I was so impaired that I became unable to work, my husband soon left, and my addiction greatly worsened. I had been introduced to crack cocaine while at another treatment center. I had a $100 - $200 a day habit to feed. I began stealing and this led me into trouble with the law.

I had a family member who helped me into New Beginnings. From the moment I walked into the sanctuary, God began dealing with me. I was truly broken and asked His forgiveness. On December 26, 2004 I was born again. I felt clean on the inside and the burden I had been carrying was lifted.  I look forward to many years of growing closer to my Lord. I will never regret turning my life over to Him. He kept me from going to prison and turned my life around for His purpose.


Chanda
I could hear the gravel roll under the tires of my van as we pulled into the parking lot of the ministry. It had been quite silent for the last 20 miles or so of the commute. What could I say? "Sorry Babe, that I'm a drug addict and now I'm leaving you alone to raise our eight children by yourself"? That was what I felt in my heart, but I didn't want to burden my husband any further.

I'd held myself together pretty well up until that point, keeping busy at home as I prepared for my six month stay at New Beginnings, but now, the moment of truth was upon us. As the rain drizzled down the windshield of our vehicle, the tears began to roll down my cheeks as well as my husbands. We held each other in disbelief, not quite understanding how we got "here".

You see, my journey began with the sexual abuse from my father when I was 13. It was our dirty little secret that permeated "every" area of my life. I began to go from honor roll student to a "gold digga" searching for any man who would love and take care of me. I lost interest in school and laid out most of the time. I felt nobody cared and began using my body to get the things I felt I needed in life. After two suicide attempts, I dropped out of school and became a stripper. My life continued to unravel at both ends and I just couldn't get a "consistent" grip on my own personal well being.

By the time I arrived at the ministry, I was so suicidal that I didn't know if I could be trusted to be alone. It was that serious. Over the counter drugs might not seem like much to many, but it was a noose around my neck choking the very life out of me, which was the enemy's plan. However, his plans were foiled when I made it to New Beginnings. I was so broken and so wrecked, I didn't want to pretend any longer. I wanted everyone to know that, "No, I'm not alright, in fact, I'm messed up!" I wanted the liberty to scream, to cry, to moan, yes, and to "feel" again. I found that freedom here at the ministry.

I'd go to sleep holding onto my Bible and wake up falling straight to my knees. You see, I wanted to have the Lord truly rule my life, all of my life, and I didn't care what I had to sacrifice. I fell in love with Jesus, a love like I've never known, and this ministry taught me how to cultivate and nurture that love. I learned to use tools to fight through bouts of depression or disappointment. Instead of pills. I used praise; instead of worry, I used worship; Instead of being a victim, I learned I had the victory.

I can't say enough about what New Beginnings has done for my life and my family's life. The structure, the discipline, the tools I use every day now that I am back at home have made a dramatic impact on my life. I have learned how to function "victoriously" through bouts of depression and disappointment without "using" or walling off my emotions. I am so thankful that I had the opportunity to have my life "radically rearranged" through the ministry of New Beginnings.