MATT RUOTOLO

 

When I was younger, I did not have a good relationship with my father. I was always seeking his acceptance and from a young age began seeking that acceptance in all the wrong people and things. All through my teenage years I compared myself to others as a way of seeing my worth. I began comparing myself to everyone else’s highlight reel. When I was in my early twenties I felt bad because I didn’t have a college degree and wasn’t married and had no real opportunities. I began experimenting with drugs and alcohol as a way to escape my life.

 

"Addiction was quickly birthed out of what once seemed fun and exciting into darkness and depression. "

 

I had gone periods in my life where I was clean but it always came back to haunt me. I eventually got married and thought that I could leave my issues behind. However, I could not do it on my own. A few years ago I lost my mother and father, then my job, and plunged deep into a pit of addiction and despair. My wife had to leave as she could not watch me torture myself and die from my addiction. One night when I tried to end it all, I felt as if something was at work greater than I. So, I reached out to a friend and they told me about a Faith based rehabilitation program.

 

I went with an open mind and with no expectations as I felt numb from it all anyway. However, on Wednesday, October 29, 2014 as

 

"I cried out to God asking him why he would want someone like me who was so broken, dirty, and hopeless, I felt the PERFECT PEACE of God wash over me as if He was saying because I love you that much and don’t see you that way."

 

I spent the next year pursuing a relationship with Him and my heart began to soften and my character changed. I began to learning how to deal with life in a biblical way and writing my wife every day as she wrote me in return. The walls began to fall as we fell in love all over again in a much deeper and more intimate way. It is amazing what you will share when you are not trying to hide something.

 

I graduated my program in December of 2015 and have been on fire for God since. I have truly been delivered from what was once an impossible to overcome situation. Since graduating, I am reunited with my wife, embarked on a wonderful new career, serve at Radiant Church in Charlotte where we head up outreach, and continue to pour into others struggling with addiction as I know the restoring power of our Heavenly Father.

 

 

ROB CONTER

 

Hello, My name Is Robert Conter. I am originally from Hershey Pa , and now live in Rehrersburg PA at the Pennsylvania Adult and Teen challenge Training Center. Although this is where I call my home now, before it was a jail cell. I grew up in a household where everything on the outside looked spectacular but the inside was divided. I wanted to live my own life, doing simply anything and everything I wanted. My dad tried his best to guide me in the way he knew how, but it was to no avail considering the rebel at heart I had. I started selling drugs at 13 years old. From the ages of 14 to 24 I was in and out of detention centers, court appointed programs, and jail.

 

Although I never went to church growing up, God in His great mercy put me places where I would be revealed Christ, learn more of Him, and grow in Him.

 

It was in the lowest and darkest times of my life when there was no one there, and when I had nothing, that God’s voice was the loudest.

 

God used those times, and I'm sure many great ones to come to shape me and prepare me not only for the future but to be with Him for eternity.

 

As I move forward, I am currently by the grace of God, reconciled with my family, specifically my dad. I am not only a graduate, but now a staff member of the Pennsylvania adult and Teen Challenge Training Center. I am a full time student, Theology Major, online at Clarks Summit University. I am teaching minor courses of theology at the Center, Which is what I want to do in life, teach the word of God. Most importantly I am in right standings with my Creator If there is one testimony that I hope not only all to see but for God to be pleased with, is Christ. The word states that it is by grace we as children of God have been saved, through faith, but this is not of ourselves but in Christ and only Christ. . I can say that all of what is happening to me that would be a good work for God is a good work by God through a broken vessel.

 

Life verse- Titus 3: 3-7

 

“ At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. 4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.”

 

 

JESSE  DERFLINGER

 

Since a very early age- I was filled with fear and felt like I was being chased by something. I began turning to chemicals as a teenager. I lived recklessly and never planned on a long life. I was fueled by fear as so my actions.

 

I tried " taming" my addiction for a couple of years as success came my way. When success was at a climax so once again the addiction took root where I left it die. Its vines soon destroying anything with life I had and of those around me. Selfishness was fueled by dependency of fleshly desire- never ever satisfied.

 

To make a long story a short one: it took jail,hospitals,and rehabs to finally stop the madness. With no where else to turn but to the Lord- He began a work in me behind bars and will carry it throughout the remainder of my life here on earth.

 

He taught me to trust Him and to depend on Him- rather than earthly let-downs that lead to misery and destruction.

 

With almost 3 years drug and alcohol free- I no longer feel as if I'm being chased. What it was was nothing more than my own shadow. So i got out of the way and let His Light shine through that darkness!

 

Daily- I surrender to the Lord and strive to chase after Him. I've replaced "fear" with "faith".