“...I lived on Pyle roundabout”

Hi my name is Paul and I’m from the Cornelly area. I want to share an amazing story with you of how my life has been restored from the addiction of life controlling drug abuse.

I first experimented with cannabis when I was 15 years old. After starting work at 16, I was able to indulge this habit more frequently with the money I was earning. My erratic behaviour caused constant conflict and tension with my family members and so it seemed right to leave home at 17. It was then I moved onto harder drugs and began injecting ‘speed’ to increase my confidence and overcome feelings of rejection and loneliness.

One of the loves in my life is to play guitar and so I naturally got involved with a band that performed regularly in pubs and clubs around the South Wales area. I also became successful as a sales assistant with a sports shop in Port Talbot and within 18 months I was promoted to branch manager. Things were looking up and my girl friend even managed to convince me to stop injecting drugs, though I did continue smoking cannabis. After the highs of playing in the band and smoking drugs I would often feel empty, miserable and unfulfilled. The birth of my first child seemed to be a turning point but that didn’t change the way I felt about myself. I ended up drifting from job to job looking for something less stressful in the hope of becoming more content as a person.

I started to develop severe outbursts of anger and frustration which were often levelled at my partner. My behaviour quickly alienated the very ones I loved because they couldn’t cope with my unpredictable mood swings. I focussed more on my music and band with the hope of finding a sense of belonging and acceptance. The band took me deeper into the drugs scene where I soon developed a £270 a week habit injecting ‘speed’ again. My partner prevented me from seeing the children and my immediate family couldn't do anything for me because I was leading such a destructive lifestyle. I was now unable to hold down any job for more than a few months due to the worsening drug habit and I eventually lost my flat and became destitute and homeless. My lowest moment was when I ended up living in a tent in the middle of Pyle roundabout for 6 months, it was only then I cried out in desperation to God... “if you are there don’t let me sleep here anymore”.

Amazingly, shortly after that cry for help, I came into contact with the good folks at ‘Cornelly Community Church’ and I was reacquainted with Neil Harvey who is the pastor there. He told me of his wonderful life changing story of being set free from drugs and how his life had dramatically changed for the good. I was so surprised and encouraged to learn of his transformation. Neil had me enrol on a Christian drug rehabilitation program in Derby (England). I spent 3 ½ months there and started to discover the reality of the Christian faith.

Since returning to the Cornelly area at the beginning of May this year I have made solid friendships with the caring people in the church, they have given me a sense of belonging and made me feel fully accepted despite my past mistakes. What has happened to me in recent months is a pure miracle. My family has been restored to me and I’ve just recently received the keys to my own flat again. It is wonderful to be free from all my addictions and to have a fresh clean start. I want to give God the credit for helping me out when I was at my lowest ebb in life. I just want to always thank Him and serve Him with my life.