Charles

I was born in Nottingham in 1960. My father was a British occupying soldier and had met my mother here in Germany. I lived in England for the first few years. In 1966, I moved with my parents to Stadthagen near Hanover. They separated in the same year.

I then grew up with my grandparents. My mum was never there when I needed her. Work and socialising were more important to her than family. My grandfather often locked me up. He also humiliated and abused me. When my mum was around, she looked the other way. I started drinking alcohol when I was 11. I never knew love and security. My life followed the same path: Secondary school with no qualifications, an apprenticeship as a bricklayer with no qualifications, odd jobs. It was all downhill. I became a rebel who rebelled against everything. I became an alcoholic and a gambler. For almost 10 years, I travelled across Germany as a homeless person with hooligans from the football scene. I was a liar and a thug who caused many people suffering, grief and sorrow. Yes, that was my life.

In my youth, I had contact with the Anglican and Protestant churches. But for me, God was only a punitive and warlike God. That's what I learnt from my father and grandfather. I then moved to Künzelsau at the end of 2005. That's where I met Reinhold. We became friends. He took me in and told me how he had found Jesus and the Adventist Church and how it had changed him. He often invited me to accompany him to church services. But I didn't want to at first. But one day, out of curiosity, I went along after all.

Through the experiences I heard about there, I came to the conclusion that life does have a purpose. So I started going to church regularly. And that's how I got to know Jesus. The church became my family, where people are there for each other: with conversations and with advice and support.

I also got to know Anita during this time. She became my friend. But we often argued. Nevertheless, I stayed with her. I knew that she had also been through terrible things. In the end, she decided to go to church with me. That's how she also found Jesus. She has also changed for the better since then.

She was baptised with me on 19 July 2008. I experienced God's help personally: He placed me in a church where people help each other. I now have many new friends. I also have a flat, a job and am debt-free. Without Jesus, I don't know where I would be now. I have experienced so much with God that I can accept myself as I am. I used to put on a different mask every day. Today I no longer need one. I know that I am an intended child of God - with all my weaknesses, faults and strengths. God is always there for me. I can talk to God about everything and ask him for anything. That's how I experience God's guidance. And I wouldn't want to do without it.

Only God can change a person. Now I see a purpose in my life. God has a plan for me. I let him lead me - no matter where he leads me. I trust him completely and have handed myself over to him completely.