Hi, my name is Nehemiah. I am 50 years old and I grew up in Amsterdam, NY. When I was a small child, I was abused by a close family friend. This created a great void inside me and had devastating and lasting affects on my family also.

As a teenager I witnessed my older brother using drugs but didn’t know what they were. I asked him about what he was doing and started using with him. It helped me escape the trauma inside me.

Soon, drugs began affecting every area of my life. I couldn’t keep a job and my relationships were in turmoil. I was a thief and would even steal from my girlfriend. I would do anything to fuel my heroine addiction.

My life was in shambles; a drug and chaos-filled mess.

One day I ran into my neighbor and she told me that my girlfriend of 20 years had died. Possibly from a drug overdose. I was broken. I swore to never use drugs again. Soon after this my unemployment ran out. I felt hopeless. I just didn’t care about anything or know what to do, and I started using drugs again.

I had lost my best friend, I had no money and no where to go. I called out to God and He put it on my heart that my life needed to change. I knew about Capital City Rescue Mission but wasn’t sure what to expect when I arrived.

I stayed on a mat at first and was introduced to the Gospel through the nightly chapel services. Hearing the Gospel gave me peace for the first time in my life. I was so grateful and knew that I would be dead if God not brought me to the Mission.

On May 5, 2024 I gave my life to Jesus. I am a new creation in Christ! God has delivered me from my addiction to drugs, cigarettes and pornography. I used to listen to worldly music and other harmful things but now I listen to gospel music. He gave me a new heart and a desire to help others as I had been helped.

Three weeks after deciding to surrender to Jesus I started serving on the Volunteer Extension team doing laundry. This gave me purpose.

The Mission has taught me that I am a child of God. I’ve learned how to read the bible and pray. I used to think that a hopeless drug-filled life was all I would have. But God has shown me that was a lie from the enemy. Now I worship the Lord and live for Him.

God has given me a second chance and I want to be faithful to Him. I pray Psalm 139:24 over myself each day.

“See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.”
~ Psalm 139:24

This past Christmas I was able to celebrate with my children and my parents for the first time in years. God’s grace gave me the ability to share what He has done for me. I am so thankful. I have dedicated myself to serving God and reading His word every day; praising Him constantly.

Currently, I am serving Him further as a Resident Assistant here at the Rescue Mission. What a blessing!

Thank you for giving people like me a second chance in Christ!