Chris' Testimony

While I was at school I knew somebody called Dominic he was a generally nice guy, I thought this because he stood up for me a couple of times. He was big, well over six feet, and not especially nice to people he din't like. Dominic was the sort of guy that would greet you and then ask if you want a Playstation. Most people would say yes and then he'd explain that he could get you one for £50. At the time this was very cheap. The price somewhat alerted people to the dubiousness of the playstations.

Dominic was also into drugs in a quite serious way and sold those, amongst other things, too. I remember talking to him one day and being surprised to learn that he had been excluded from school permanently. This was something that was only a matter of time. The last thing he said to me was inviting me to come and get drunk with him, we were still in school at the time and the binge was supposed to take place during the lunch hour.

I didn't hear anything from him for well over a year until I went to a local church with my parents. I was very surprised to see Dominic standing near the front. Next to him were two rather attractive girls. I thought this had something to do with him being here. After the service I went to have a cup of tea and approached Dominic. We sat down and he told me what had brought him here. It was nothing to do with the girls. The town he lived in had an annual church mission. Outside the church a lady was preaching. Dominic recognised the lady as she was a local resident and so for some reason decided to listen. He stood there until she finished and then spent the day learning about Christ. He explained how he made an obvious commitment to become christian.

That night Dominic took all his stolen computer equipment and drugs and related dodgy paraphrenalia and put it on the steps of the Police station and ran away. This may seem cowardly but it was actually an enormous step because, as thoses of you who are familiar with underworld economics will know, you don't work alone. Everyone is just a part in someone else's chain. By doing this Dominic owed a lot of money. But he did it and gave up taking drugs from that day on. At this time he still smoked cigarettes but he explained that in good time he was going to give them up too. I was pretty much overwhelmed and hardly touched a drop of my tea.

Later I went home and on the way I told my parents the story. Almost a year later I went back to the same church and spoke to Dominic again. I was initially pleased to see he was still there but was shocked when he told me the next installment. He was planning to go on mission to Brazil where he wanted to work with drug-addicts and prostitutes. At this time he hadn't gone but had just got over an enormous hurdle. I am no lawyer but the next part of this testimony seems wonderful. Dominic had had several outstanding courtcases and a number of previous convictions. Unless they were resolved he could not go on mission because he would have been prevented from leaving the country. Dominic and his youth group prayed for this situation and the majority of his cases were dropped by the CPS for varying reasons. He served the community service required for the others (a leanient sentence) and was able to go.

This is a great demonstraion of what God can do. Dominic if you ever read this please email the webmaster and get in contact with me. I am at university now and would love to catch up. If have left anything out please correct me.

Chris Anthony