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We have all been in "chains", imprisoned in a "pit" of one type or another; whether it be a "pit" of addiction, depression, despair, grief, materialism, self-reliance, or even pride. Many times we become comfortable in these "pits" because they have become familiar surroundings. Sometimes we have tried to get ourselves out of these pits, only to find that we've slipped back in, or have fallen into another pit.
However, there is One who is standing at the opening of these pits, reaching His hand down for us to grab onto so that He can pull us out, clean us up, bandage and heal our wounds, and set us on His firm foundation, so that He can lead us down the path that He has purposed for us to go... This is a ministry designed to reach out to fellow "pit dwellers" who are truly desiring to be rescued from the "pit", and to be led down the path towards becoming the men & women that God had "fearfully and wonderfully" created them to be! |
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I have had a growing passion for sharing God's love and His Word, and have been involved with teaching and leading Bible studies, both within my church as well as in my own home, for almost twenty years. With my growing burden for the lost and for those who are "bound" in chains, such as addiction, the Lord had led me to minister in the local county jails.
In 2008, I started helping with weekly Bible studies at the Porter County Jail, until the Lord opened the doors for me to be the Lady Chaplain at the Jasper County Jail in 2011. I still lead weekly Bible studies for "my ladies", but also have the desire to come beside and help minister to those who would like to "break their chains" and turn their lives around. With God's help, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." And so can you! Please feel free to contact me if you would like to talk, or if you have any questions about God, His Word, or the work He would like to do in your life. In Christ's Abundant Love, Diana Borg Birky |
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Danielle's Testimony "As I lay on my cot in White County Jail in 2009 (after having been in an extremely abusive relationship where my back had been broken and being told by 2 different doctors I would never walk again), I began to read my Bible. I read and I read and I read some more. I couldn’t get enough. I kept repeating from the passage about the woman with the issue of blood where Jesus tells her "Daughter, your faith has healed you". Against all odds, I walked out of that jail, but that wasn't the end of my downward spiral. Although I had asked the Lord into my heart, my dance with devil hadn't yet ended – by my own choosing.
"Two years later I ended up in jail again, but this time it was worse than it had ever been. I had lost custody of both my daughters. I had jumped from home to home, abusive relationship after abusive relationship. My family didn't want anything to do with me because of how badly I had hurt them; therefore, I felt alone and destroyed! My addiction had taken everything. I cried out to God even while I was under the influence, “I want out. I don't want this life anymore. Help me!” Sometimes God's answers aren't what we expect – and God had a surprise for me! I was facing charges in four counties, and one of them was Tippecanoe (BIGGEST ANSWER TO MY PRAYERS EVER). I met Harold and Sue while I was incarcerated here in August of 2012. I'd like to say after that I kept on the narrow path, but that's just not the case. When I was released, I went back to my boyfriend and used again, but it wasn’t the same. My Spirit knew I was no longer to follow this destructive path; God had set me free. I had truly become a new creation, now I just needed to believe that! I ran from that relationship abruptly, knowing I didn't want to use – so I ran back to "my first love." This did keep me clean; however, it wasn't God's best because it too was abusive. At that time I reached out to Harold and Sue and asked them to please pray about welcoming me, my 2 daughters and my unborn child into their home. In case you don't know, I have been there ever since! "When coming into their home I had done Intensive Outpatient Therapy (IOP) on three different occasions (under court orders) and taken nothing from it. This time, God gave me the desire to truly stay clean. I took IOP again – without a court order. For the first time, I was honest with the teacher, my peers, but most importantly myself. Since finishing IOP and Relapse Prevention, I have joined a Celebrate Recovery 12-step group and plan to begin a Step Study program with this group in January. I have now been clean for 15 months. "All my court requirements in three counties have been satisfied and I am in process with the final case. I have steady employment with a wonderful boss who loves the Lord and isn’t afraid to correct and encourage me (just like Harold and Sue!). "I now have joint custody of my oldest daughter and am working on court requirements to again have custody of my 6-year-old. I see both girls regularly and am able to be actively involved in their lives. In addition to these 2 amazing little girls, God has blessed me with a third daughter. Although the relationship with her father didn't work out, I know that God does work all things for the good because God has blessed me with a healthy little girl who is truly my joy and often times my strength to carry on even when I feel I can't any longer. "God has set me free from dependence on men for my identity, and is teaching me to depend solely on Him for all that I need, which isn't easy for me because that's all I have ever known. I do realize now, I no longer “need” a man to validate my worth. God has given me the strength to turn away from controlling and abusive relationships. He is now my provider, my strength, my hope, my husband! He is the Father I never had. "I have been blessed to live with Harold and Sue for the past 10 months. They have truly become my family, the family I have never known. I know they still love me even when they don’t understand or approve of all my choices. You see, I am still a work in progress who is learning a little more each day. I still doubt, stumble and sometimes make mistakes, but our loving Father uses those mistakes in some form to glorify His name, and He corrects me in a way where I understand my choice was bad, but that doesn't mean I am bad. "Now God is calling me to move forward into my own apartment. I confess that I am scared and overwhelmed, but also excited. Sue just smiles and says that God is exercising my faith muscles. I know that I will be close to Sue and Harold – and that God has gathered a strong support system around me. I choose to trust – and obey." |
Janet's Testimony "I was lost in an alternative universe. One where all that mattered was my addiction. 24/7/365, I was consumed by my drug of choice - meth. If I wasn't manufacturing or dealing, I was on a mission to obtain precursors to manufacture. I was no longer able to even get "high". The three to four grams I used a day only enabled me to "maintain". I had quit spending time with my family and didn't have any hobbies. I would get "stuck" on one of my projects or on Facebook and lose hours, days, sometimes weeks at a time. I remember waking up and looking at the clock wondering if it was a.m. or p.m. I remember waking up and wondering what day it was. I remember waking up to an airbag going off in m face.
On one fall day several years ago, my house was raided and I was arrested. I was charged with seven felonies and four misdemeanors. Three of these felonies were Class A for dealing. I had unknowingly sold to a confidential informant. Shortly after the raid my house was robbed. A few weeks later my house was condemned based in the assumption that meth was manufactured in it. I felt like I lost everything. I found myself locked up in the county jail fully knowing I would be down for quite some time. I sunk into a deep depression, hating everyone and everything - especially myself. I will never forget the first Wednesday in which the lady chaplain came in to do Bible study. She asked me if I would like to join in the group but I declined. I was too busy wallowing in self-pity. The chaplain didn't give up on my though. Faithfully every Wednesday she would show up to do Bible study. I started attending because of her persistance and came to know Jesus Christ as my personal Savior. She even made arrangements for me to get baptized while I was still in the county jail. I love The Lord and know He loves me. Jesus Christ has washed me clean of all my sins and I am a new woman. I am still incarcerated (I have received a fifteen-year sentence for my crimes) but I am no longer a prisoner!" |
