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2004
Ronald Andrea Eddings
My name is Ronald Andrea Eddings. I am a fulltime student at Catawba Valley Community College in Hickory, NC. I currently work ten (10) hours per week in the CVCC Foundation Office under the work/study program. I also volunteer in the community by traveling to various locations and prisons giving my testimony about my life and how I began the process of change. My story is one of selfishness, greed, and lots of pain as I watched my life spiral out of control, leading to jail and prison. I decided while in prison that my life was worth more than the value I had carelessly placed on it, so with help and determination I began the process of change.
I find in speaking and giving my testimony the same satisfaction that most people receive from shopping, eating, or even going to a big dance. I am fortunate enough to use the mistakes that I have made in my life as an opportunity to share my life, my experiences, as well as my accomplishments to those who are seeking strength, looking for encouraging words, or simply needing motivation to fight for their lives.
I began speaking on a forum with Forgiven Ministries in Taylorsville, N.C. after my release from prison a few years ago. Forgiven Ministry, started by Scottie who has been doing prison ministry as well as motivational speaking for well over eight (10) years. The objective of the ministry is helping inmates start the process of not only changing their behavior, but also their lives and becoming more productive citizens, fathers, and friends. My testimony covers five areas of my life: (1) growing up as a child, (2) playing sports, (3) how my life got off track, (4) prison time, and drugs. (5) why I sought change in my life.
I want my testimony to show that through adversity and some guts anyone can begin a process of change. My testimony has allowed my life to become an open book. It also has helped to create change in numerous teens and adults throughout the state and has created a position of leadership for me.
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