I grew up in the rough streets of Bushwick, Brooklyn,

where only the strong survived. I being street smart and playing basketball, kept me out of a lot of trouble. Your sin finally gets you though.

   To keep occupied, I was playing 8 games in 7 nights against the best players in the city. I thought this would dull the hurt I felt inside. The emptiness without Christ in my life was filled with the highs and lows of winning and losing. This does not satisfy though, and one day a friend told me that Jesus loves me and sees me for who I am. He wants to know me personally and help me overcome all the things in life that pull me down. My friend told me that Jesus died for me and wanted to come into my heart and life, to give me a new start. I then asked Christ to forgive me and give me a new start. He did forgive me and He filled me with His Holy Spirit. I have never been the same since then.

   My life changed for the better, I have been set free! I now have a beautiful wife, four children and two grandkids. I have never been happier and I lack nothing. The love of God and what Jesus did for me on the cross, have carried me. Now I hope that I can encourage others to accept Christ's invitation to come into their lives and do the same thing.

Frankie P.