Testimonies > > Gavin Wong
Leaders & Staff Testimonies
Drugs
have often lured many pleasure-seeking and naive young people into a life of being
neither fully alive nor dead. I was once a drug abuser and shackled by this
addiction for many years; I could not find a way out.
When
l was young, I neither cared about my studies nor future. Instead I’d
roam the streets and mix with secret society members and drug junkies. To feed
my drug addiction I cheated and committed petty crimes. My family members did
not know of my problem although they wondered why I kept asking for money. I
grew so dependent on drugs that I could no longer help myself. I often felt
tired and exhausted for long hours and did not have the energy even to walk.
Despite all this, my only desire each day was to find more money to buy drugs.
It came to a point when I even feared myself and avoided my family and friends
so that I would not hurt them.
When
my family knew of my drug addiction they were still hopeful that I would
change. I did try hard to receive counselling and to seek remedy but I
disappointed them. I was finally arrested; I tried to escape, but failed. I
felt very frustrated. Jail life was distressful and I could only pour out my
sorrow and disappointment to visiting family members. Deep in my heart I had
the feeling that I would be in jail for a long time and would eventually lose
all my loved ones. At this thought I lost control and dashed towards the metal
door of my cell. I hit the door with such fury and force that I injured myself.
On seeing how enraged I was, the prison warden decided to bring me to the
doctor. The subsequent medical report recommended that I be transferred to a
padded cell without any furniture. It was to prevent any suicide attempt on my
part. I often felt sad over my giving up on life and such sorrowful feelings
are very much part of my memory.
Upon
my release, I thought I had learnt my lesson in prison, but I was wrong. I remained
ensnarled in the vicious cycle of drug abuse and imprisonment. My marriage
failed and although I promised my grandma many times to repent I continued
abusing drugs, even at her funeral service.
I
had descended to the pits when I met Jesus. He understood what I went through.
By the grace of God life became meaningful. I have peace in Jesus all the time
wherever I may be. Yesterday, today and forever, He is God!
In
2015 I spent my 6-month parole in Breakthrough Missions. With a determination I
never had before, I found new strength in Jesus to change. No longer would I
live for myself but for Jesus, and I would not look back but press on toward
the goal. Although my literacy level is low I read the Bible daily, keep close
to God, trust in His promises and receive His grace, and I submit myself whole-heartedly
to Him. I have been serving actively in the Breakthrough Café and choir
ministries.
At
the Café, I learn to upgrade my skills constantly. In the music ministry, we
praise God and testify to His mighty acts wherever we go. Jesus said in Luke
5:32, “l have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.” Many still
wallow in drugs and are shackled. We are to zealously share with them the
Gospel and the hope of life.
I
thank God for His grace that enabled me on this journey of faith all these
years. I pray that God will teach and uphold me and continue to use me as His
instrument to serve Him all my life.
