Where they hated, they began to love

Radek and Jirka’ Story

Radek:

My name is Radek Daniel. I used to steal from people, I cheated, and extorted money.  It definitely had catastrophic consequences because at that time, I lived with my wife, Iveta, and our children, and then I was put in prison.

Jirka:

My name is Jiří David. When I was thirteen, I joined a gang where we drank alcohol, smoked, stole things and due to this lifestyle, I ended up in a youth detention center, where I was for about three years. After I had been released, I immediately ended up in prison.

Radek:

My family suffered for me and for my things. It was the worst I have ever felt when I was in prison.

Jirka:

In the prison I was separated from my family and that was probably the worst part. Since we are gypsies, we are tied to each other as a family. It was bad.

Radek:

During my punishment, my wife came to faith. And when I was released from prison, I said, “What’s happening with my wife?” She was happy. She was somebody totally different. I wanted the same thing, but I didn’t know how to do it. 

Jirka:

Even when I was in prison, I wanted to change and was looking for help. And there was a prisoner there, a young man my age, who gave a Bible to me. In prison I also prayed, looking for God. I asked that when I got out of prison, I would be able to persevere and not go back to the bad things. But when I was released, I returned to them, and it was even worse than before.

Radek:

After my imprisonment, I ended up having three heart surgeries. Before the third surgery, I got this huge fear. It was not the type of fear of your face being broken during a fight, but the fear of losing your wife, losing your children, you will be no more and your life will be over.

Jirka:

When I was reading the Bible at home, I read where it says that no liar, no thief, no drunkard can enter the kingdom of God, but will be thrown into the lake of fire, I realised that it was me. I needed to be saved. 

Radek:

I was crying, “God, if you exist, make yourself known to me.” And then I heard this voice that said “don’t be afraid.” “I am your light. I still have some work for you to do here.”

So I’m looking around, trying to see what’s going on, if I’m hallucinating or hearing voices, but suddenly I realised I didn’t take my medication. 

Jirka:

And I also read that Jesus Christ came to the world to save the lost, to save me too, that He laid down his life for us sinners, including myself.

Radek:

I got this huge fear. And I hear the voice again, “Don’t be afraid. I am your light. I still have some work for you to do here.” And that convinced me God exists.

Jirka:

And when I realised all of that and was convicted in my heart, I knelt and asked God to change my life and he did it.

Radek:

Afterwards, I accepted the Lord Jesus into my heart and I let him lead me. Where I hated, I began to love. Today, I serve God by working as a crime prevention assistant and it allows me to share the gospel. I can tell people what God has done in my heart because many people ask how it’s possible that a person like me, who did bad things, became a person who works for the police now. But I can say it was God who did it, not me. 

Jirka:

My behaviour has totally changed. And the good thing about it was that God gave me love that is genuine, that is not selfish. I can see people differently. I can see they need Jesus. They need salvation.  They need to get out of the bad things. Jesus is very loving, kind and forgiving. He helped me in my life lots of times. I’m grateful I can pray, search his presence, his love. Nothing compares to Jesus and his love.