VOL 38, ISSUE 4. December, 2018
My name is Avida Sateri. I am 41 years old and from
the Washington, D.C. area. I grew up in a dysfunctional
home. My dad used drugs all my life but was able to
keep it under control for a very long time. About 15
years ago, he lost control and lost everything we had.
About that time my own addiction went to a new level.
During that time I had a baby, got married and somehow
managed to get my bachelor’s degree. This was the only
time I have ever made my family proud which was short
lived. I had many good jobs but was never able to keep
them. Losing everything and starting over became a
repetitive cycle throughout my addiction. I had a run
with pretty much every drug you can think of. My life
was a mess. My days revolved around drugs and no one
and nothing could stop me.
My mom caught me with a needle in my arm one day
and sent me to live in Costa Rica with my dad. She
believed if I went somewhere that I didn’t know anyone
I would get better. The truth was, I only got worse. I
experienced the most devastating and awful things you
could imagine. I ended up living that nightmare for
about 2 years before returning to the United States.
Little did I know that my life was finally going to
forever change. Upon returning to the states, I
continued in my addiction for about 6 months until I got
arrested. Jail is what saved my life. I wasn’t a stranger
to loosing things, only this time I had now lost my
freedom and family too. I had finally hit rock bottom
with no one to turn to. It was then that I found Jesus and
my life changed. I decided to commit to a yearlong
program at Agape Home. My desire to use has gone
away and been replaced with a desire to live. After I
completed the year I decided to stay for servant leader
training and since then have become staff.
Today I receive my strength and comfort from God. He
has restored all my relationships and is restoring
everything I lost. I am so grateful for my new life and a
second chance to be a good mother, daughter and sister.
“And Jesus said to him, “If you can! All things are
possible to him who believes.” Mark 9:23