Stuart’s Story

I was once a hopeless, homeless drug addict.  I was in prison for a serious crime and I served two long term prison sentences. Whilst there I did the Sycamore Tree course and I used go to Prison Fellowship in HMP Addiewell. One night, at a Prison Fellowship meeting, just before I was being released, there was a guest speaker.  This man’s testimony was like my own life experience.  I could really identify with what he was saying. He asked if anyone wanted to ask the Lord into their life and I responded and prayed the sinner’s prayer. I began crying, but not tears of sadness, tears of joy! This was what I now know to be an encounter with my Saviour. 

After release I met with George, from Prison Fellowship, who kindly took me to a local church. I saw something different in the people there. I wanted what those people had; an overwhelming peace and joy, and so began my search. I found my spiritual base in another church and found myself getting involved, but it wasn’t long before my demons had returned, and I was back at my old ways.  As a result I quickly found myself in homeless units, skippering (sleeping rough).

I eventually ended up in a serious condition in hospital suffering from a major infection, endocarditis. Drugs had taken everything and nearly my life. As I lay there alone again, I cried out to God, “Please just let me die or HELP.” And help He did.  One thing I learned is God will never turn his back on us. Before long two people from my church heard I was at deaths door and prayed for healing over me. These people weren’t a coincidence but rather a ‘GOD instance’. I was given hope again. 

After 10 weeks in hospital I was released with nowhere to go. I’d have to go back to the homeless unit. I cried out again, “Please God, HELP!”.  Later that day the doctors said I was being kept in over the weekend because the infection had appeared again. On the Monday I heard that housing had got me a scatter flat (temporary accommodation) and I didn’t have to return to the unit!  A few days later, after resting at home, I decided to go to church again, and I’ve never looked back. Since then I’ve been baptised and have remained drug and alcohol free. I’ve been given a year’s relief from my heart infection and I’m now at college studying to become a counsellor. I’m living the life God has planned for me and it’s amazing. 

I now see that everything I had done in my own strength always ended in disaster, but not now. I have been back in prison - but as a visitor this time and not a prisoner!  I thought my life had ended, well now I know it’s just started.