My name is Mohammed. I was born in an Arab Moslem family. I was the youngest among older brothers. The neighborhood where I grew up is one of the roughest neighborhoods in Israel. My oldest brother was a drug dealer. When I was 9 years old, he began to use me in his "business" and I would hide his hashish for him. When I was 14 I began to use hashish, and when I became 18, I began to use heavier drugs such as heroin and pills. I came to the place that without drugs I couldn't live. When my brother discovered that I was a drug addict, he cut all connection with me. Though he was a drug dealer, he was not known as an addict and he wanted nothing more to do with me. Therefore, I had to begin stealing in order to buy heroin. I spent three years in prison for thefts. There in prison I continued to use drugs, and when I was released I couldn't stop either. Many times I tried to come clean, but never succeeded. I came to the place where I hardly had anything to eat. I was rejected by my family and friends. I continued this way until I was 41 years old. My life disgusted me. I didn't want to live anymore. One evening, I prayed to God that I would just die.
The next day, I traveled to Tel Aviv to buy drugs in a park where the drug addicts would gather. Usually I don't stay there long, but this time after "using", I sat down on a bench. Suddenly a group of people I didn't know came up to me. They said they came from a rehab center called "Beit Hayeshua" where God is delivering people from drug addictions, and that the treatment is free They invited me to return to the center with them. I went back with them, and after they explained to me the rules of the center, I decided to remain. They explained to me in detail about Yeshua and how He did miracles. In the evening they prayed for me. In the morning I woke up with a dreadful fear for the "kreez" (withdrawal) I would be having. But nothing happened except a feeling of light weakness. I could not believe what had happened to me, and I waited for the "kreez" to come; but it never did! In addition, I had no desire anymore to smoke. In prison when I hadn't been able to get a hold of cigarettes, I went "crazy". Now that addiction was gone as well. Because of my nervousness and fears, I had only been able to relate to people when high on drugs. However the guys at "Beit Hayeshua" continued to pray for me.
After a week and a half, I asked Yeshua to forgive all my sins and come into my heart. Now I thank Yeshua that He has changed me! I thank Him for the freedom and the grace that He gave me when He brought me from darkness to light. Now I have a new family in the Messiah Yeshua. I thank Him for the hope I now have in my life and for the brothers who have helped me. I want to dedicate all of my life to Yeshua.
My name is Sergei Terantiev. I am 28 years old, and now I am a "student at Beit Hayeshua" in Jerusalem. I was born in Russia in a small town named Rozayevka. My father controlled the household, with my mother under him. He was very involved in sports, since he was very muscular. He believed that the answer to most problems was through physical strength, which was expressed when he beat up my mother. Because my relationship with my father was not good and my mother had her own problems, I found myself much of the time on the streets. Within a short time I came to realize that on the streets one had to make a name for himself. I became involved in fights and began to smoke and drink. After a while the drinking became part of my personality and I found it difficult to imagine going to a party, wedding, or even a simple meeting without a bottle of alcohol.
I won't get into all the details of my story, because that would take a long time. However, in the year 2000, I immigrated to Israel. Then I seemed very sure of myself. I had served in the Russian army. I felt that women were just objects to be used and that money would solve any problem. I believed that the world was divided into two categories of people: fools who were taken advantage of, and serious people who controlled things.
Once in Israel I began to study Hebrew and work. I also served in the Israeli army, but I continued to fight a lot as well as drink with like minded "friends". A year or so passed that way.
Then I met a girl, and love entered my life. Love was a very strange feeling for me. When I was younger I had read much about love, but my outlook on life was that love was just a fairy tale. This relationship lasted about 5 years, until I began to use heavy drugs (heroin). The rest of the story I can sum up very simply. My girlfriend and I broke up, my relationship with my family was ruined. I had no money and lost my health. I became involved in crime and received a criminal record. In short: I lived the typical life of a drug addict. After one arrest i was sent to a government rehab center for a year. I underwent psychological and group therapy, but when I was released, I fell even deeper into drugs. I had no strength to overcome my addictions. There was no hope in my life! That was my condition before I met Yeshua.
When I arrived at "Beit Hayeshua" I didn't believe in anyone. I had a fuzzy idea of a "higher power", but that was it. I was very far from any type of faith. However, at "Beit Hayeshua" I became aware for the first time of the power of prayer, or rather the power of Him who answers prayer! I began to experience miracles in my life. For example, after prayer, instead of a painful and difficult withdrawal (called the "Kreez") from drugs, the "kreez" was almost non-existent! I thought: "Maybe this is just a coincidence". Shortly after that I found that I needed sneakers. The staff suggested that I prayed, and so that evening I did, though I still didn't believe. The very next morning, a person I had never met asked if anyone needed a new pair of sneakers. Everything happened in such astounding assurance, that for me it was proof that there was a Creator Who loved me personally. Another proof in God's existence came through reading the Bible. It may sound strange, but the scriptures began to speak to me personally as I read. I began to understand the depth and holiness of the Word of God and became more and more attracted to it.
Peace and joy are the results in the life of one who walks after the Lord. Yeshua and His love take over the most central place in one's heart. Now life is just simply good for me, life is good! Thanks to God Who brought me near to Himself. In order to receive something, one must first try it. I tried, and I am not at all sorry! My life has become meaningful. My problems simply fall by the side as I walk with the Lord. I simply feel good now about my life.
