My story

God delivered him from drugs and today he helps others.

Drugs, sex, Ukrainian mafia, and prison…
“…the story of a young man from Ukraine freed by God…”

This real story gives us a real proof: as far as we live, there are always solutions to critical situations, even though they looked quite difficult for us.  The solution is close to every one of us – we just have to seek It! He is the One who gives sense to our existence in this world. He reveals us the scope of our existence. He gives us interior calm and heals our soul. His name is Jesus Christ!

A. Patalakh (patalakh_cz@mail.cz)

1. Looking for my soul.

Just like most of young people, at the beginning of my life road I wanted to reach my goals and have pleasure in this life here on earth. I felt independent and self-confident. I started to find all this in places that are not really frequented by common people. I achieved my early goals and successes in street bands and mafia. Since the age of 13, I got satisfaction in the use of intravenous drugs. I thought that real happiness resided in friends’ respect, money and uncontrolled life. I didn’t even realize that my search of true happiness was directed into the world of illusion, darkness, pain, and disenchantment.

2. My disenchantment.

I lived without rules. I was quite far away from happiness I longed for. I was completely disenchanted! I worked for the mafia, I infringed the laws, and I always had some problems with the police. At the age of 15 I was for the first time in jail after we robbed an apartment. When I was 19 I was back in jail because I stabbed a man with a knife. Drug euphoria gradually muted into addiction to marijuana, opium, and ephedrine. Results: rotten relationships with my parents and with my girl-friend (I had been dating her for 6 years), degradation of my personality, and a couple of unsuccessful suicide attempts. The questions that troubled my soul were: Who am I? Why do I live? Where am I going?

3. Last hope.

In jail I had a deep drug-caused depression and I only thought about one thing - "It is not possible that God prepared such a horrible scenario for my life??!!" I lost confidence in myself and in people; I realized that I needed a "Miracle"! A miracle only God can make! All my efforts to stop using drugs had been unsuccessful. All my strength was almost over. The prayers of close people could not stop me. I was possessed by drugs! My friends and my parents tried to heal me with pharmaceutical products on several occasions. They tried to send me to detoxification. But unfortunately, without success! As for my body, I felt free. But inside myself I felt like a slave. I needed interior purification. In the course of my life I had some chances to meet former drug-addicted persons who told me that they were free thanks to their faith in Jesus Christ. As a consequence of their testimony I started to read the New Testament and to look for answers to my problems. Jesus was the last hope for me!

4. Jesus is not a sectarian – He is the Lord!

Until that time of my life I was a “traditional orthodox believer”. I didn’t know and didn’t understand what that really means. I considered all “non-traditional” churches as fanatic cults. I didn’t even know why. In one word, I had the same thoughts as “everybody else”. I was wrong! I read the Bible and I spoke to God in prayer. I received the gift of the Holy Ghost to abandon my sins that bundled me up and kept me in slavery – 12-year nicotine addiction, approx. 10-year drug addiction as well as various “dirty” trespasses and sins.

I was freed from my past! I was forgiven! Through faith in Jesus Christ our Almighty God gave me a new chance, a new life, just like He did with further thousands of people all around the world who repented of their sins from the bottom of their heart and accepted Jesus Christ as their Saviour and their Lord! Now I do have relation with the real Author of my life. I am happy! Jesus said once: “You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free” - Bible: John 8, 32.

Dear friend, today you have a chance to meet your Creator who gave you your life. Meet Him in this simple prayer – say it with faith:

Heavenly Father, I come to you in prayer the way I am! Please forgive me for my sins, forgive me because I was without faith in You!

Today, in full conscience I take the offer brought by Jesus Christ crucified on the Golgotha! Please liberate me from the power of the Devil and Hell and bring me with You to Heaven! Please fill me with your Holy Ghost and help me live under Your knowledge!

Heavenly Father, I thank you because you listened to me and accepted me! I prayed in the name of Jesus Christ! Amen!