“I don’t remember most of my childhood, but what I do remember has haunted me for most of my life. When I was seven, my mother was in the process of leaving my stepfather. The day we were going to leave, my mother dropped me off at school. I remember asking if I could go with her and help with everything, but she wouldn’t let me. After school that day, my mother never came for me.

My uncle arrived later and told me that my mother had been in a car accident and passed away. Immediately, all the bad things my stepfather had ever done entered my mind. It was two years before I returned to school. Everyday I became filled with more and more rage towards my step father, until I finally snapped. I went out and purchased a gun and was planning to hurt him. I never went through with it, and even later found out he was drinking and driving and had been in a car accident that left him paralyzed, and killing an innocent family. Years went by, and even after all that time, I still carried around hatred and unforgiveness. I became addicted to drugs and had been using since I was 14 years old, in and out of jail and rehab. At the age of 21, I finally hit rock bottom. I needed help, and the Lord heard my cry.

I was introduced to Shepherds Fold from a friend, and as soon as I walked in the doors, I felt a huge weight lifted off my shoulders. At that moment, I knew I was exactly where I needed to be. I felt love, and learned how to love. Most of all, I let go of the horrible things of my past, and I found peace in the Lord. I no longer let those things run my life. Jesus Christ literally saved my life!”

-Jeremy Ruster, former Shepherds Fold Resident