Story of Sergei Prikhod’ko
My parents are highly educated people. They read a lot. During communist times, they were collecting paper to exchange it for the books. My mom constantly repeated to me – read the books!
At the age of 16, I read (by her recommendation) the book by Oscar Wilde “The picture of Dorian Gray”. One of scenes in the book is when young man, the main hero, meets two persons – one represent light and another – darkness. I understood that I have two paths and began to ponder, which way is mine.
Later I was called to the compulsory Army service. There was the time of the war in Afghanistan. Many freshmen and I were afraid where the Army will send us to serve. My cousin Yuri who is my friend and who is two years older than I am came to the recruiting station to wish me safety.
In the morning I had very depressed state, I did not know where I would serve. I shared about this with Yuri and he gave me a pack of ground poppy seed, which I ate. In about half an hour my entire dark mood varnished, instead I became very calm and indifferent.
Several years later, I became an addict. I have not served in Afghanistan. After the Army service, I returned home and started my private business, which gave me high income. Over time, my riches have increased and I began travel the world.
Life was almost perfect, and at that time, the emptiness grew in my soul. Nothing – money, friends, resorts, gave me happiness or joy.
Drugs began to rule my life. I used injection drugs for about 15 years. My relatives began to warn me that they would take my business away from me.
I decided I need the child, since I thought that the love to the child would fill that awful void, which the drug could not fill. However, as time passed, emptiness crawled back in my heart. I lost joy and peace again.
During one of the trips to Egypt, I also traveled to Israel and toured the Holy land, visiting the Lord’s tomb, the Calvary. There I asked God to make me free of addiction. I placed the note with my prayer in the crack of the Wailing Wall.
When I returned to Kiev, I met my old acquaintance, who told me about the rehabilitation centers. Later I went to one of those.
The stories of people I met there deeply touched me.
Sergei, was a convicted criminal – his actions amazed me. I saw him knitting the socks for the daughter of one of the women at the rehab - the girl with special needs. He shared his story – he had active form of tuberculosis, his weight was 40 kg. and he was dying, when God saved him.
I met people, whose hearts have been changed by God.
At the worship service, I heard the invitation to come forward, which I accepted. When I went to the stage, I could not speak because of the tears. That time I received forgiveness and new life.
When we returned to the rehab center, I began to call my friends and acquaintances saying that God exists.
God gave me freedom from addiction and for 8 years I do not take drugs. God gave me wonderful wife and three children.
And the most important, the emptiness in my soul was occupied by Christ.
Praise be to Him!