Capital City Rescue Mission - Albany, NY

Changing Lives - New Life Testimony

He is living a new life, because of you!

New Life TestimonyMy name is Orialis.  I grew up with parents who were addicts and were in and out of jail.  I was placed in  foster homes, a hospital, and an orphanage from ages 7 to 14.  For a short time I returned to my mother until she was incarcerated again.   She left an illegitimate business which I continued – making enough so I could stay in motel rooms or apartments.  

When I was 17, a social worker helped me get my GED with a hardship waiver and enlist in the military.  The army was nice, orderly, and I liked the camaraderie, but I had to leave unexpectedly just before I went to Germany.   My mother’s parental rights had not been terminated, and once out of jail she wanted me back.  I think she hoped to take her little boy and put him in her pocket, but I was an overgrown boy, disappointed and angry. 

Before long, I was in prison for drug possession – and while in prison both of my parents and one of my brothers died.  When I was released a sponsor took me in and I cared for him until he died of cancer.  Feeling lost, my addictions took off.  I made one poor choice after another –even living outside and homeless for months at a time.

Finally, people who cared about me told me it would be a good idea for me to join the New Life Program at the Capital City Rescue Mission.  I did not want to come.  I denied I had an addiction problem.  But I came.  God was moving me.

At the Rescue Mission I began to realize that I had been looking at other people, wanting to change them or help them, but God wanted me to look at myself.  I needed to admit I was a sinner.  I had wrong perceptions, trust issues, bad ideas, and addictions.  I needed to face the lies and humble myself at the feet of Jesus.  I had been acting like my own savior, but now I began to grasp that Jesus wanted me to turn to Him as Lord and Savior.

After I graduated from the New Life Program, I wanted to apply what I had been learning. Today, I am on staff as a resident assistant.  Matthew 7 is becoming clear to me.

Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock…but everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.  Matthew 7:24 & 26

At the Rescue Mission I have begun to really live.  Thank you for supporting the Mission!  You have helped me build on a new foundation – Jesus Christ.