Success Story

This is Sam's story,

Sam

 



"My father left home (it would be the last time I ever see him) to make place for my mother's new found lover. Together they abused alcohol and were always drunk and fighting.
It didn't take me long to discover that this new 'step-father' had no love for us. Because we were not his own children he was very cruel toward us. Often when he was in a drunken state he would physically abuse us for no apparent reason.  One day he tied my hands with rope and fastened me to his bicycle then dragged me behind the bicycle while he was peddling down the dirt road; he was punishing me for being a bad boy, he said. I wasn't aware of any wrong I had done deserving this kind of ill treatment.
Sadly this man pushed us away from our mother, he did everything in his power to keep us away from her; he did not want to share her with us. At that time it seemed to me that my mother was more interested in alcohol and not us. This stranger had also started beating my mother and she lived in fear of her life. He was a tyrant!
Our new 'step-father' told us that we were not his children and he was not responsible for our upkeep; he therefore refused to feed us and chased us out of our own home.
With no where to go, my brothers, sisters and I took to the streets to look for food and shelter.
I was 11 years old at the time; we desperately searched for our father but it was all in vain; we did not know where he lived and no one seemed to know of his whereabouts.
We stayed together in the beginning days of our street life. We faced many difficulties and hardships. We cried many tears and were very scared. We eventually met other children who were living on the street and joined them; some were kind toward us and were happy to show us the ropes, and others were very manipulative and controlling!
We dreaded the icy cold winters and would huddle together in an effort to keep warm. We often tried to go back home to our mother only to be thrown out again on the street.
It would be almost  five years later when my life changed for the better. One day I entered a furniture store to beg for food and money where I met this friendly Christian lady who reached out to me, my siblings and friends.....(we all call her 'Ma Brrr') mother B."

Sam working

         

Sam now!

Short summary:
Today Sam is no longer on the streets and has a little place of his own. He loves doing garden work and chores for me and other people; we pay him for work done. This is how he generates an income for himself. He never had the opportunity to get an education.
It is now ten years later and his step-father had left home two years ago. Sam's mother had four children with him and he left them in her care with without any support. She has been unemployed for many years and did not have the finances to care for the siblings.
Sam has forgiven his mother (who now has sober habits) and supports her by taking food to her and his 'step-brothers and sisters.'
Sam's sisters and brothers who lived with him on the streets have returned home to their mother and they help in the upkeep of the home.
He received news in 2013 that his paternal father had passed away.

When I met Sam he was sniffing glue; we prayed and asked God to give him victory in this area of his life. We had also prayed for his mother's deliverance from alcohol addiction, for restoration and reconciliation in his mothers home. God has set Sam free from substance abuse and given him the victory he so desired! His mother too has been set free from alcohol addiction and their family has been restored and reconciled!

Sam loves the Lord Jesus and has a simple child like faith. He loves praying for people; they bring their sick to him for prayer and healing. Many have been touched and healed by Jesus as Sam witnesses and prays for them! This is his God given ministry!
Sam has found his self worth again and is a humble, loving and gentle person and always ready to help!
We give the Lord Jesus all the glory, honour and praise for what He has done for Sam!

Psalm_113:7  He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap...