The Local News Showdown of Faith | Page 6

Free from a life of violence From the age of 13, I was involved with gangs and drugs. I also robbed people for the sake of money. When I was invited to the Victory Youth Group at the UCKG HelpCentre I decided to stay for a meeting that was happening afterwards. The words I heard that day made me realise that my life was not a joke. I needed to take life seriously. I learnt the way to achieve a transformation by attending the UCKG and, today, that life no longer attracts me. The journey to victory From the age of 3, I was a victim of sexual, psychological and physical abuse. I grew to witness my parent’s disastrous relationship. I was an unhappy child, many years passed and nothing changed. My sorrow turned into chronic depression. I received an invitation to attend the UCKG HelpCentre and, after attending, everything in me changed. After working on self-restoration, I began investing in and restoring the relationship with my family. The UCKG taught me that the word IMPOSSIBLE does not exist for those who stick by their faith and find the way. Kamal Imafidon Carmen Madiba I did not know how to get back up My dreams shattered along with my self-esteem when I failed in my love life. I was in the UK, in an unfamiliar country, I didn´t speak English, I had no source of income, my visa was about to expire and I had no idea how I would renew it. However, I found the way to hope at the UCKG HelpCentre. I spoke to an adviser and I was encouraged to attend the meetings. After acting on the advice and keeping faith I received permanent residency in the UK and I am also happily married. Gloria Orozco The way to freedom I was full of anger. Always fighting, drinking, smoking, stealing which resulted in me being arrested. As a child I was molested by a family member and this made me feel isolated. This person was trusted and loved, so no one was going to believe me. I was filled with hate and resentment. Another family member assaulted me when I moved to England. At the UCKG HelpCentre I opened up to someone and it was such a relief. I learnt to let go of the hurt and anger, also to forgive, in order to find the way. I was given a lifeline I went from being perfectly healthy to having the tissue on the left side of my stomach rot. I required an eight-and-a-half-hour operation to remove it. At 2.30am the hospital informed my wife that I was clinically dead. Prayers were made on my behalf, and this is the way in which things changed. I remember opening my eyes. After recovering, doctors went ahead with the operation to remove the rotten tissue that was still there, which was successful this time around. I am thankful to those who came to pray for me often. Joseph Obeng *The UCKG HelpCentre ’s spiritual ad HelpCentre vice is to be does not cl seen as a co aim to heal mplement people bu to the scie t believes th ntifically pr at God can oven treatm through the ent you may power of fa be receiving ith. Always . The UCKG follow your doctor’s in structions. Faith was the answer Before I came to the UCKG HelpCentre my life was a disaster. My husband and I were always fighting and I had immigration, financial and health problems. Through our faith and what we learnt at UCKG HelpCentre, we were able to find a way to erase our hardships. My husband and I no longer argue; we are currently building our second home in our country and we have opened a business in our country which is doing very well. We both have successful careers. Vonette Baird-George Annette Walcott uckg.org • 020 7686 6000 Friday, 16 February • 7:30pm Also at 7am, 10am & 3pm 7