Richard: I was probably a typical teenager who liked having arguments and fun. Even though I was quite bad at home, outside of the house I was a different person and I wanted everyone to think I was very good. I was like a cup that was clean on the outside but had dirty water inside. At times I felt there was something missing in my life. I used to read the Bible at times but I found it boring, I just did it because I thought I should. God seemed far from me. However around the age of 13 I started to want to change, to be a better person, I tried and tried and tried even harder but failed.

At round 14 I felt afraid of death and hell as I knew that I wasn’t ready to meet God because of who I was. I knew that Jesus could help me because I was around many people who were Christians and had genuine peace, happiness and care. So I asked these people how I could become a Christian. They explained that I should give my life to Jesus. I did this but nothing changed. I did it again and again and became quite desperate. Then one day I woke up and I realised something was different. I wanted to tell my friends about Jesus and the Bible became interesting like a living book. I started to pray and felt like I was speaking to someone I knew, and I wanted to talk to Him. My life started to change: the hate that I had for some people, especially old people, was taken away and God put his love in its place. The fear of hell was taken away as I knew that God had forgiven and accepted me. My life now had a different purpose. Sometime I still feel dirty inside but I know I am forgiven and I can pray to God for power to change. It is so great to be accepted and forgiven.

I don’t think that Jesus gave me his free gift of new life, and so much more, to me because I was good, because I wasn’t and still am not. I believe he offers it to anyone who feels the need of coming close to God and leaving sin behind.