God changing hearts (Part 1)
Anyone who has ever been involved in Christian rehabilitation centers and ministry, knows the reality of the awesome work of God in changing lives of people bound by addiction. I first saw the work of God in the rehabilitation of broken lives during our work with
Good Samaritan Ministries of Zhitomir in one of their centers last year. For our most recent outreach we were partnered with "Life" Center, a Christian rehabilitation center for men on the outskirts of Kyiv.
During their time in rehabilitation the men of the center reside in a beautiful, brand new building. Though many of the rooms are not completed, and there is still much work to be done, it's a beautiful facility. Some of the funding for the center is generated by an onsite CTO (auto service center). The service center has two complete bays, one with a hydraulic lift, and another with a modern bay reminiscent of my Jiffy Lube back home. Their location on a major Kyiv highway insures a constant stream of clients, not to mention word of mouth. Work at the service center is part of the rehabilitation process and teaches the program participants a trade. While on location at the center we were treated to wonderful meals and fellowship with the men in residence. They gave us the one gift they could for our time caring for their dental needs?they serviced the engine and performed maintenance on the Mercy Truck. They blessed us immensely and refused to accept a single Kopec (cent) for parts or for their hours of work.
The men themselves were a blessing to us, and told us the most amazing stories of God's healing them of drug and alcohol abuse and disease, restoring their broken families and turning them from lives of crime. Combined with the realities of their difficult lives were the added pressures of living in a post Soviet country with a depressed economy, corrupt government and no social services or help for chemically dependent men and women. These men who were saved and healed by the work of God, exhibit a light that shines through their scared faces and bodies. A light that shines through eyes that have seen too much of the darker side of life and have been redeemed by the blood of Christ. What a blessing to be able to see the life changing power of God.
