Testimonial

“As my exit date drew near, I kept having a reoccurring dream, and it terrified me. I was in the free-world, and it was freezing. Did I mention that I hate the cold? I was homeless and lying somewhere dark. I was drifting off to sleep, but I knew that I would not wake up again. I was dying. In my dream, I clutched my rosary. It was a very distinct rosary, as there are not many like it around, I don’t think. At least not one that I had ever seen. This particular rosary had a second-class relic of St. Padre Pio as the center piece. I prayed to Saint Padre Pio that someone would find me, give me a proper burial, and let my mother know what had happened.

What did happen?

I’d spent almost two and a half decades in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Before I went to prison, my adult life was spent in the United States Armed Forces. I didn’t exactly have skills that transferred from either experience to the real world. I was terrified that I would not make it, that I wouldn’t be able to be successful outside of prison. I was terrified that I would let others, and myself, down. I had family, but they either could not, or would not, help me.

Where I did find help was within the Church, a volunteer by the name of Robert Sarlay, who co-founded an organization called the Exorior Reintegration Initiative. He said that when I got out, they would be able to help me.  Lo and behold, he was a man of his word - something I had forgotten existed while I was in prison. You often hear a lot of promises from loved ones, but these usually never come to fruition. But Mr Sarlay did have a home for me. Not only that, but the Church I was brought into once I was out, St. Thomas the Apostle in Huntsville, also welcomed me.

Now I have a home, and I have brothers who love the Lord. I have a vehicle and a job, but most of all I have found my purpose. I want to give back to others what was freely given to me. Mr Sarlay and ERI have shown me what it looks like to be Jesus to others. I know where I am, and I know where I am going. I know the devil is a liar, and I know my salvation and my redemption is in God and His grace alone.”

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Anonymous