Testimony of Walter Cole

A Life of Drugs, Prison...Changed by God's Grace

30 years of drug use and 23 years in prison-what chance would you give that someone like that could ever change? “With God all things are possible.” Mark 10:27.

I started using heroin in 1968 while in the Army. Others were using it and asked me if I wanted to try it. The first time, one of the guys injected it for me and after one use, I was hooked. I served my hitch, even had Top Secret clearance, and got an honorable discharge.

After my discharge, I hopped from job to job. By now, I was on all sorts of stuff-heroin, cocaine, and even LSD. Drugs became my life. One day I just went home and told my wife, “I’m not working any more.” Instead, I started a life of robbery just to support my $100 a day habit. My feelings were dead. I didn’t care about anything.

In 1971, I was arrested and sentenced to seven 25-30 year sentences. I had to quit heroin “cold turkey”. The guards just let me lay on the floor of my cell in my own filth for 3 days. I never wanted to go through that again, so I quit heroin but kept on using cocaine and marijuana (yes, it is easy to get in prison).

When I got out of prison in 1994, I started going through drug rehab programs. I tried psychotherapy, stress and anger management, and other things. Nothing worked. The whole time I was in a program, I knew I’d use drugs again. I was dangerous to myself and to others, so I was sent to the mental institution in Butner. It was there a counselor asked me, “What do you think can help you?” I said, “I’ve tried everything but Christianity.” They referred me to the Durham Rescue Mission.

In the very first church service I attended at the mission, the speaker asked us to raise our hands if there was ever a time we received Jesus Christ. I raised my hand. After all, in 1985 I did something like that, and I was even baptized. But then he asked another question. “If you know 100% that you will go to Heaven, raise your hand.” You know, I couldn’t raise my hand. I really couldn’t say whether or not I’d get to Heaven. So, I went forward. A counselor took the Bible and showed me how I could receive eternal life through Jesus Christ. In October of 2002, I got saved for real.

My plans are to complete the Victory Program. Lord willing, one day I’d like to help in a ministry working with children who have been labeled as “troubled kids.” I’d really like to help them avoid the misery I have experienced and caused.

I am especially thankful for the 23rd Psalm. I know the Lord brought me through the valley of the shadow of death. My thanks to all who support the Durham Rescue Mission with your prayers and financial gifts. You made it possible for the mission, the Mills, and the instructors to be here for me.